Set across an expansive 1863sqm plot in the highly sought-after Sydney suburb of Mosman, 13A Elfrida Street also known as ‘Land House’ presents a family haven by renowned architect Peter Stutchbury.
The three-storey, 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 2-car garage residence is located on a private battle-axe block and utilises the combination of timber – including cedar, birch, turpentine – steel, concrete and glass to stylish, industrial effect.
The first floor contains the open plan living, dining and kitchen area punctuated by a neck-creasing void further elevating the space. Here, the kitchen sees an industrial, stainless steel workspace and bespoke timber cabinetry while the living area is fitted with a fireplace.
The interplay between the glass windows and adjustable cedar shutters, offers a unique sense of the outdoors in a modernised plantation reference. Also featured are polished concrete floors with underfloor heating while cooling ceiling fans and nuanced lighting prove comfortable fixtures.
Elsewhere on the first floor is the covered outdoor entertaining area – making use of the home’s north-east aspect – with a self-cleaning magnesium swimming pool, complete with motorised pool cover and a tennis court that doubles as half a basketball court.
Upstairs the top floor sees the master suite with ensuite complete with stand-alone bath and steam shower along with a further two bedrooms, each complete with their own ensuites.
A further two bedrooms land on the lower level, alongside a storeroom, casual living, entertainment and gym with its own bathroom.
It’s also here that you’ll find a water tank – one of the home’s many green initiatives – along with rooftop solar panels, ensuring the home doesn’t disrupt its natural surrounds.
Land House is less than 10km to Sydney’s CBD, closer to Balmoral Beach, and within walking distance of Mosman’s dining options on Military road.
The listing is with LJ Hooker Avnu’s Michael Coombs (+61 407 980 443) and Bo Zhang (+61 406 213 775). Price guide $16m.
A heady combination of Mediterranean boldness and Californian glamour, ‘Pasadena’, located at 1 Trig Point, in the elevated coastal enclave of Mount Martha, Victoria, is an architectural wonder.
Set on over 1.5 acres of hillside that directly overlooks the coastline to Arthurs Seat, the white-washed 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom, 2-garage luxury home by award-winning architect Tim Bennetton is truly unique.
Inside the multi-level, multi-space compound, the main residence sees oak floors paired with soaring ceilings and pivot doors to create a light, airy coastal space. It’s here the open plan family, dining and kitchen spaces together flow out towards the alfresco dining area.
The lounge is fitted with a fireplace, pop-up TV and access to the outside terrace and deck doors while the kitchen features Savoir limestone counters with integrated European appliances and an expansive walk-in pantry. A further two bedrooms, two bathrooms a sunken home theatre and rumpus round out the level.
On the upper level lands the master suite, complete with walk-in-robe and ensuite – replete with more Savoir limestone (matching that of the kitchen) and is complete with a waterfall shower and dual vanities. Elsewhere on the property, the bathrooms follow suit with limestone and oak details.
The compound wraps around a with a rain-sensing louvred pergola, inground pool and spa complete that steps up to the separate pool house that homes the sauna, changeroom, indoor and outdoor fireplaces as well as a bar and games room. Bolstering the resort-like amenities is a tennis court perched high on the property’s grounds alongside a skateboard halfpipe.
Another, separate studio complete with its own bathroom, kitchenette, fireplace and two bedrooms adds further versatility to the compound while automatic gates, 13kW of solar power and electric blinds complete the details.
The listing is with Dean Phillips (+61 402 833 865) and Marcus Gollings (+61 422 236 990) of McEwing & Partners, Mornington. POA.
Many wealthy Australians are leaving the city and heading for the hills, or the beach, desperate to find a luxurious hideaway from which they can work and play.
Relocating to some of the country’s most desirable regional locations is an unexpected silver lining for the prestige property market after the pandemic resulted in strict lockdowns, social-distancing measures across the country, and a ban on in-person inspections and onsite auctions.
It didn’t stop buyers from house hunting online, though, and that’s translated into a surprisingly active year for many regional real estate agents in Sydney’s northern beaches, Northern New South Wales’ Byron Bay, Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, South East Queensland and Tasmania’s east coast
“We’re very busy and we weren’t expecting that back in March,” McGrath Estate Agents Avalon senior sales consultant James Baker said from the Northern Beaches, 50 kilometres north of Sydney.
“We were expecting it to be a tough time up here. Last time there was a recession and downturn [after the global financial crisis] the Avalon Beach, Palm Beach, Newport market was very slow,” he said.
More than a decade on, it’s a different story. People were already starting to work from home and change was occurring, Mr Baker said, and the pandemic has only accelerated that trend.
Meanwhile, the introduction of more reliable and faster internet services, coupled with the acceptance from businesses to allow their staff to work remotely, has also helped facilitate the trend.
“Some people are still working out whether this will be a long-term thing and there’s a bit of uncertainty among our clients. But for many who have holiday homes in New York, Greece or closer to home on Hamilton Island in Queensland, they can’t get to them,” Mr. Baker said.
“They’re very wealthy and they want to know they’ve got a place to get away to,” he added. “Everyone is looking for lifestyle and safety.”
A waterfront home on Mossman Court in Noosa Heads sold for $6.4 million. Century 21 Conolly Hay Group
Northern Beaches
The increase in demand is putting pressure on prices in the Northern Beaches area, predominantly on properties valued at $3 million or more.
Homes such as the luxurious five-bedroom, five-bathroom property on Pittwater Road, Bayview, with 180-degree views of Pittwater and Lion Island, sold in September 2015 for $4.4 million.
Five years later, it hit the market again, this time in the middle of the pandemic. It attracted three offers, and although the sale price is confidential, Mr Baker confirmed it sold for more than its $5.5 million price guide.
The luxurious five-bedroom, five-bathroom property on Pittwater Road, Bayview, features 180-degree views. McGrath Estate Agents
Byron Bay
An hour’s flight north of Sydney, or 750 kilometres by car, the southeastern coastal town of Byron Bay is also experiencing some of the most intense buyer action in the country.
Once a sleepy surf town, Byron Bay has transformed in recent years and has become a trendy destination for those escaping the city, and the onset of Covid-19 has only heightened the town’s appeal.
Its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful coastline has long been a sought-after destination.
A beachfront home on Marine Parade in Wategos Beach hit the market in the final week of September sold within five days for a suburb record between $20 million to $22 million through LJ Hooker Avnu managing director Michael Coombs.
This beachfront home on Marine Parade in Wategos Beach hit the market in the final week of September sold within five days. LJ Hooker Avnu
The sellers, recruitment firm Morgan & Banks co-founder Geoff Morgan and his wife, Ros, bought the 664-square-meter beachfront site for A$1.2 million in 1994, according to sales records, and built an architecturally designed four-bedroom, four-bathroom resort-style holiday home.
SQM Research data shows Byron Bay’s property listing inventory at its lowest in the past decade with only 128 properties for sale as of Aug. 30. The number of properties for rent in the area has also plummeted, with vacancy rates dropping to 0.5% in August from a high of 7.5% in July.
Queensland
Across the border in Queensland, prestige homes and apartments in popular holiday destinations such as Noosa Heads have achieved higher-than-expected prices, multiple offers and significant interstate interest.
Century 21 managing director David Conolly confirms offshore, interstate and local interest has been strong.
“We’re not getting everyone here [due to border restrictions], but we’re still selling everything we can get our hands on,” he said.
Queensland borders remain closed to anyone who has been in a Covid-19 hotspot in the last 14 days. Currently, all of New South Wales and Victoria are hotspots.
“Noosa has been put on the map as a place to live and bring up your family,” Mr Conolly said “Covid has kicked our premium market forward significantly.”
In the final week of September, two apartments sold for about $3.5 million without hitting the open market, and a waterfront home on Mossman Court in Noosa Heads sold for $6.4 million in late August after 150 inquiries.
A waterfront home on Mossman Court in Noosa Heads sold for A$6.4 million. Century 21 Conolly Hay Group
Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula
Online traffic shows Australia’s most-viewed properties of 2020 are lifestyle homes with wow factor in highly desirable locations either coastal or mountains.
Search activity data from realestate.com.au has confirmed the trend among home buyers is for dreamy mansions in aspirational lifestyle locations.
REA Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee said those who were not tied to a central lifestyle for work were prioritizing lifestyle.
It meant areas such as the Central Coast and Southern Highlands of NSW—a 90-minute drive north and south of Sydney respectively—had regularly appeared at the top of search activity this year, alongside property on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
RT Edgar Flinders agent Peter Kennett has worked in the industry for more than three decades and five years ago bought himself a home on the Mornington Peninsula.
“Even 10 years ago, this area was attracting me for all the right reasons,” Mr Kennett said. “I’m originally from the land, and I did a lot of competitive horse riding. I also like wine, good restaurants and golf.”
Melbourne
Melbourne has experienced tougher lockdowns than any other city in Australia, with two highly restrictive periods of movements, curfews and social distancing measures introduced in March and July when cases spiked for a second time.
It has done little to stop wealthy buyers seeking refuge in the area, which Mr Kennett describes as “the Victorian Byron Bay” with its coastline, world-class wineries, restaurants and myriad of golf courses.
“You talk to people who have holiday houses down here, and they’re now thinking about making this permanent, how they can work remotely,” he said.
“We’re getting a mix of age groups, couples and families in their 30s and 40s who are deciding there’s good education here and a lifestyle that allows them to easily get to Melbourne for work or to see family,” Mr Kennett said.
Since Covid-19 case numbers have eased and movement restrictions were starting to lift, Mr Kennett expects October and November to be busy. Within a week of relaunching the marketing campaign to sell a 28-acre private boutique vineyard and luxury home on Rogers Road at Boneo, it was under offer.
Mr. Kennett said the sales campaign had been paused after in-person inspections were banned but within four days of resuming the marketing on Oct. 1, three offers were made and the property sold well above the $6.5 million to $7.15 million price guide.
The luxury home on Rogers Road at Boneo was sold well above the price guide. RT Edgar Flinders.
Tasmania
The closure of borders to Tasmania has been a blessing and a curse for the real estate industry.
Borders have been closed to all non-essential travellers since March, with mainland buyers resorting to online viewings via digital means.
The state government’s handling of the pandemic, along with its natural beauty, has meant Tasmania’s appeal is greater than ever to city slickers looking for a regional lifestyle escape.
Knight Frank agent Rodney Rawlings has seen extraordinary online interest in a luxury cliff-top property on the Tasman Highway, Four Mile Creek, 150 kilometres east of Launceston, with a A$2 million price expectation.
The pictured luxury clifftop property in Tasmania is asking for $2 million. Knight Frank
He’s fielded inquiries from mainland Australia as well as locals and expects the opening of borders, potentially occurring in December, to bring a rush of inquiry, if it hasn’t already sold by then.
“Tasmania is such a safe haven, and because we’ve performed so well during the pandemic, this is going to have some real appeal when the borders open,” Mr Rawlings said.
Some 117 years after Harley Davidson crafted its first motorised bicycle, the famous marque has unveiled a stunning new electric bike to inform its new ebike sub-brand Serial 1 Cycle.
Made in the image of the Serial Number One Harley-Davidson – the oldest known Harley – the first Serial 1 Cycle sees white-wall tyres, a leather saddle and handgrips attached to a sleek a black frame that pays homage to that original design, and H-D’s rich history.
Of course, this time around there is no combustion engine, instead, we’re set to get a mid-drive motor and belt system powered by an electric engine that, while no power figures are available yet, Harley Davidson says the powertrain will be “worthy of the Harley-Davidson name.”
Elsewhere a frame integrated battery, headlight and taillights form the sleek design that is adorned by further leather accents.
The new electric bike will go on sale March 2021 and will form the first model in a range of with no word on local pricing available at the time of writing.
A controversial auction held by Sotheby’s London was set to take place on Tuesday before being abruptly postponed at the last minute.
Set to cross the auction block were artefacts from Jerusalem’s Museum for Islamic Art. Items of note included a helmet that may have belonged to an Ottoman sultan, a page from nearly 1000-year-old Qur’an and a 13th century Mamluk glass bowl.
Facing financial hardship, the museum had planned to sell more than 200 items, amounting to a possible $13.7 million before the advent of COVID-19, and with the pandemic sweeping through – the auction became essential to avoid closing its doors for good.
However, Israeli officials and government agencies alongside the president of Israel Reuven Rivlin weighed in hoping to stop the sale, with Rivlin stating the collection had a “greater worth and significance than their monetary value.”
An early Iznik blue and white calligraphic pottery hanging ornament, Turkey, circa 1480. Credit: Sotheby’s.
It seemed to work, as on Monday night the museum announced in a statement from its primary donor that the sale would be postponed, reportedly until some time in November.
“The foundation’s management hopes that the postponement will make it possible to reach agreements that will also be acceptable to the Culture Ministry in the coming weeks,” the Hermann de Stern Foundation said.
A Sotheby’s spokesperson mentioned that it had conducted multiple deaccessions whereby museums or art galleries sell items to raise funds and added that the guiding principle behind the selection from the Museum for Islamic Art was to ensure the integrity of its collection, which holds over a thousand items.
R.M. Williams is a brand that quite literally forms part of the fabric of Australia and now mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has brought iconic bootmaker R.M. Williams back to local shores following a $190 million acquisition.
The news was announced by Forrest’s investment fund Tattarang who purchased the label from parent company LVMH, which had partnered with equity firm L Catteron to seek buyers for the brand.
“Nicola and I are incredibly proud and humbled to be able to bring R.M. Williams back under Australian ownership,” says Dr Forrest. “We just saw a Fantastic brand, a great Australian product, a legacy for the country and it just needed to be Australian – it just had to come back home.”
The bootmaker, originally founded in 1932 by Reginald Murray William, grew to include leather accessories and apparel before selling in 2014 for $110 million. At the beginning of negotiations, the controlling group was asking for as much as $500 million.
Tattarang has bought 100 per cent of the business, buying out minority shareholders, such as movie star and brand ambassador Hugh Jackman, who owned about 5 per cent of the business and is set to receive about a $10 million windfall from the deal.
The Forrests have also pledged to keep manufacturing jobs in Australia, with about 400 works currently employed in the label’s Adelaide workshop.
It’s no secret that Aston Martin’s design work is well appreciated outside the walls of the automotive industry.
And as such, the famous marque has dipped its toe into a number of endeavours including motorcycles, helicopters, boats and has now unveiled its first residence.
Designed in partnership with S3 Architecture, Sylvan Rock is a home set on a 22.2-hectare property in New York’s green Hudson Valley.
Accessed via a 610-metre driveway bordered by trees and rock walls, the main residence sees an angular form that takes its cues from the rock formations that make the surrounds so unique.
The home is encased in blackened cedar and glass and features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two half baths and three-car automotive gallery garage (hello, lairs and galleries program). Elsewhere sees a custom wine cellar – wrapped in Aston’s signature cross-hatched lattice design, pool and an 81sqm pool house.
The living spaces give way to nature through double-height ceiling and walls of glass with a columnar fireplace the showpiece. Naturally, the interiors are furnished by Aston Martin home while the kitchen is informed by a monolithic island and private dining table fitted with Miele appliances, column refrigeration and the latest cooking tech.
The primary bedroom suite is glass-clad and cantilevers over the rock ledge to take in views of the Catskills mountains in the distance. Here you’ll also find a walk-in closet complete with a night bar for a pre-bed tipple.
The main bathroom sees two-person shower, double vanity, soaking tub and more of those natural views.
Not limited to the singular structure, the property also features multi-functional guest house “pods”, a treehouse, and an agricultural garden.
Best yet, it can be yours for approx. $10.8 million; sylvanrock.com
Located in the pastoral outpost of Burradoo in the NSW southern highlands, Riversdale House – 15 Werrington Street Buradoo – is a study in elegant country living.
Two hours south of Sydney, adjacent to well-known Bowral and a ten-minute meander on foot to the local township — the luxurious house sits on a manicured 1.6-acres and holds 3-bedrooms, 4-bathrooms, 3-car parking as well as verdant surrounds.
Through the portico entrance, the beautifully crafted home sees lofty 3.9-metre ceilings with Egyptian limestone flooring underfoot, as well as antique stone fireplaces throughout.
The residence is divided into two distinct areas – ground level home to the formal dining, sitting room and deluxe chef’s kitchen (think luxurious European appliances including two Liebherr fridges, Miele induction cooktop with wok burner and Gaggenau oven).
The upstairs features the library and three bedrooms, each with ensuite in either marble or black granite and underfloor heating. The master suite, meanwhile, has timber French doors that open to a long private balcony overlooking the gardens.
Outdoors is where the home comes into its own. Boston ivy-covered walls, paved entertainment areas and large pergolas present a relaxing sense of splendour, matched by the gas heated swimming pool.
The listing is with Harriet France (+61 408 936 373) of Sotheby’s International Realty Sydney, in conjunction with Samuel Lindsay (+61 404 647 609) of Drew Lindsay Real Estate, and is on at $5.9m.
Nomad’s journey over the last 12 months has been challenging to say the least.
First, a fire in its Foster Street home caused severe damage throughout the venue. Requiring extensive renovations, the team packed up and popped up a new outpost named ‘Nomad Up The Road’, landing walking distance from its original digs in the former Commonwealth Street Longrain space.
However, not long after a certain global pandemic swept through the country – closing many restaurants – some, unfortunately, for good.
Despite all this, Nomad is coming home, and this time it’s for good with the restaurant poised to reopen in its original location on October 20, bringing with it a new-look Nomad featuring a larger kitchen, twice as much seating around the open kitchen, and the new addition of a stand-alone deli.
Nomad Wine
Executive chef Jacqui Challinor’s menu will centre around the woodfired oven with signature items like smoked ocean trout basturma, halloumi, date glazed wagyu tongue and olive oil ice cream sandwich, with sesame, pistachio and honeycomb to feature.
“I’m so happy to have the fire back so it’s no surprise it’s the primary focus of the new menu. There’s a lot of new dishes we’re working on, but the staples have remained, some with a few little updates and tweaks,” says Challinor.
The addition of the deli adds a number of take-home products which are to change weekly. Think a selection of house-cured meats, dips, marinated preserves, as well as chocolate fudge brownies and cookie dough. The wine list is also available to take home and delivery.
As for the renovated space’s looks, expect it to feel like home, albeit with a ‘grown up’ feel. The wood-fired cooking opportunities have been extended as well as the kitchen counter seating allowing more patrons to get closer to the action.
The northern tip of Queensland is set to land Australia’s first Fairmont hotel, with the opening of the Fairmont Port Douglas resort in 2023.
An hour’s drive from Cairns the resort sits between the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest and will serve as a popular hub for tourists looking to explore the clear waters and famous coral reefs or the unique wildlife of the Daintree.
The Fairmont Port Douglas is set to host 253 rooms and will embrace its natural surrounds through a birds’ nest-themed lobby, a treetop walk and a want for green spaces and natural light throughout.
“We are excited to bring the extraordinary Fairmont brand to Australia and are confident that Fairmont Port Douglas will deliver a new level of luxury and sophistication to one of the country’s most glamourous resort towns,” says Simon McGrath, COO of Accor Pacific.
Elsewhere, the resort sees several restaurant and bars along with several resort-style pools and a decadent day spa – which will lean on natural, local ingredients.
It’s also here that you’ll find a water tank – one of the home’s many green initiatives – along with rooftop solar panels, ensuring the home doesn’t disrupt its natural surrounds.
