2 JUNE / 2021
PRESTIGE THE BEST IN AUSTRALIAN PROPERTY
BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Embracing a dramatic setting
B y K ATE FARRE LLY
Brighton Melbourne 16 Cole Street $8 million-$8.8 million E MILY WATKINS
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Expressions of interest: Close June 18 Agent: Kay & Burton, Tom Staughton 0411 554 850 It’s rare indeed for a true Harry Seidler home to hit the market. Seidler is
Enviably positioned along Brighton’s Golden Mile
widely credited with popularising modernist architecture in Australia, and
just 100 metres from the Bay Trail and Elwood
was famously particular about his designs, right down to furnishings and
Beach, this restored and updated Federation
even, in some cases, the cutlery, And he was no different with Basser House
beauty combines period charm with modern
in Castle Cove, the subject of our feature story this week. It still has most of
comforts like ducted heating and cooling, a
the original furniture, and Seidler’s widow, Penelope, calls the house a “work
Miele and granite kitchen and an integrated
of art”. This week we also visit the Sydney suburb of Clovelly in our Living In
sound system. There’s also a tennis court and a
column. The suburb is a favourite with young families and an area with more
heated pool.
to it than just the beach (although the snorkelling is pretty great). Plus, we have some great tips on the best cosmetic changes you can make to future-proof your investment property, and in Design Digest we round up some of our favourite timber pieces.
Acting editor: Emily Watkins emily.watkins@domain. com.au Editorial producer: Paige Tonna Group picture editor: Vashti Newcomb Senior designer: Colleen Chin Quan Graphic designer: Emma Staughton National managing editor: Alice Stolz Group director, Consumer: Jason Chuck Chief executive officer: Jason Pellegrino
Residential sales: Queensland Brad McLeod 0429 571 826 New South Wales Belinda Sinclair 0414 580 903 Victoria & Tasmania Ray van Veenendaal 0438 279 870 Western Australia, South Australia & Northern Territory Jeroen van de Peppel 0427 292 797
HOT PROPERTY
DESIGN DIGEST Turning to timber
FEATURE STORY A ‘mint-Seidler’ masterpiece
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Digital edition Visit domain.com.au/ digitaledition
O U R COVE R 8 Northumberland
LIVING IN Clovelly
Street Clovelly. Listed by PPD Real Estate PAG E 9
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THE PROPERTY INVESTOR Future-proofing your investment
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Hendra Brisbane 9 Goodwood Street 5
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Auction: June 5 Agent: Place Estate Agents Ascot, Patrick McKinnon 0431 430 760 The showstopping features of this impressive family home start at the 300-year-old French oak front door and extend to a glass-wrapped wine wall, Gaggenau and granite kitchen, marble bathrooms and a magnesium pool.
Curl Curl
Tamborine Mountain
Sydney 109 Headland Road
Scenic Rim 10/163 Curtis Road
$10 million
$4.987 million +
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Expressions of interest: Close June 11
For sale: By negotiation
Agent: Stone Real Estate Manly, Tim Mumford 0421 942 693
Agent: Professionals Serendipity Tamborine
There are magical ocean and district views from all five levels of this
Mountain, Ton Wolf 0424 591 012
spectacular home. It comes complete with a self-contained apartment, an
Set within almost 4.5 hectares of tropical
internal lift and a landscaped garden with a pool and cabana. Relax in the
rainforest, this home comes with indoor and
home cinema or the top-floor parents’ retreat with its al fresco spa.
outdoor living spaces, a pool and coastline views.
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DESIGN DIGEST
Timber talk Sustainable, versatile, and long-lasting – it’s no wonder designers keep turning to timeless timber. C o m p i l e d b y PAU LIN E M O RRIS SE Y TAKE A SEAT Championing sustainability, the Shirley Jacket Stool by James Howe uses a restrained amount of timber while resulting in a sturdy and distinctive design. Encouraging personalisation, each stool can be custom painted in a wide range of colours. jameshowe.com.au
GATHER AROUND Designed by Daniel Boddam, the Monument Oval Table presents a curved tabletop, enabling a sense of togetherness. Adding further intrigue, a slender metallic mid-section surfaces from the table’s pyramidal base, inspired by Mexico’s monumental site, El Castillo. danielboddam.com
ROOM FOR TWO
EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE Villa Home Collection features bent
A collaboration
beech wood, naturally finished to highlight the warmth of the timber.
between Marcio
Containing five-tiered compartments, the product combines simplicity
Kogan and Studio
with functionality. plyroom.com.au
MK27 has resulted in the DR Bathtub by Agape, featuring a curved silhouette clad in timber veneer, designed for two users. Water supply can be assembled as a wall mount, free-standing tap, or internally. artedomus.com
DEREK SWALWELL
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A work of art you can live in
FEATURE STORY
This Castle Cove masterpiece is a top-to-toe Harry Seidler creation – from the curved pool to the cutlery. B y PAU L B E S T
T
he late neurologist Dr Leon Samuel Basser was an architect’s dream. He eagerly embraced everything the architect proposed for this early 1980s, splitlevel, fan-shaped house in the upscale Sydney suburb of Castle Cove – right down to the knives and forks. Of course, it wasn’t any common-or-garden architect, but one of the country’s most iconic and honoured – Harry Seidler. Then again, Dr Basser didn’t have a lot of choice. It was a condition of Seidler’s practice, in accepting a commission, the client surrendered control of
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the entire design process – both the building as well as the overall aesthetics. This usually included furniture and soft furnishings, but not always tableware. “The bachelor client wanted the full Seidler uncompromising, design-immersion experience,” says the architect’s daughter, Polly Seidler, who is also archives and research facilitator at Harry Seidler & Associates. It explains perhaps why the award-winning house – with its distinctive split-faced concrete block construction – was the high-profile architect’s first residential project in 10 years.
But the commission also was propitiously timed. It followed a period during which Seidler had been exploring quadrant geometry – the use of curves dynamically in concert, even as opposing forms, and their relationship with rectilinear shapes, like squares – in his designs of big buildings, such as the Australian embassy in Paris. “This was the first Seidler quadrantshaped house based on geometry,” says Seidler. “And the only such house that remains.” This style of design particularly suited the steeply sloping, wedge-shaped Castle Cove block. The curving structure, with its floor-toceiling faceted glass wall, takes full advantage of the property’s dreamy 180-degree views of the bushland and waterways of Middle Harbour – whether in the dining and living areas, study or main bedroom on the top floor. Seidler further plays with quadrants in the freestanding fireplace as well as the counter curves of the swimming pool and garage roof. The open split-level interior of the house is also characteristic of Seidler’s architecture, a style that allows areas to merge, so they can be
YOUR AGENT Craig Ireson, McGrath Castle Cove
“This is a true visionary 1980s Seidler classic, in mint condition; perfect for someone who loves timeless design, with the bonus of a quiet cul-de-sac and north-facing water views to die for.”
used for different purposes at different times. Cleverly, too, it creates a continuous flow of space throughout the house and, while in one space, invites the eye to wander to possible spaces beyond. Similarly, a central open well next to the staircase combines top floor and ground, which has two further bedrooms and an expansive multipurpose zone. It’s also crucial to appreciate the minimalist heritage-listed house is virtually untouched since it was built, inside and out. The quartzite flooring, joinery and other builtins are original. Much of the furniture – such as the chocolate-brown Breuer Cesca chairs, granite dining table and desk – as well as the crockery, cutlery, even an artwork poster are as Seidler chose. “My uncle didn’t like anything being touched or disturbed that was original,” says Dr Basser’s nephew Braham Basser. “We still have crockery in its plastic.” As Seidler’s widow, architect Penelope Seidler, says: “This home is for people who want a mint Seidler … [and to] live in a work of art.”
Castle Cove New South Wales 11 Padulla Place $4.75 million
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Auction: 12.45pm, June 5 Agent: McGrath Castle Cove, Craig Ireson 0419 418 614
Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Castle Cove
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E XC LU S I V E R E S I D EN C E S A B OV E T H E F O R M ER DAV I D J O N E S Cbus Property’s 111 Castlereagh presents a boutique collection of 101 superbly-crafted residences set atop the former David Jones department store, with coveted views of Hyde Park and Sydney Harbour. Setting a new standard for inner-city living, 111 Castlereagh features a secluded rooftop oasis with expansive alfresco terraces and open-air pool. Prepare to be transformed by 111 Castlereagh.
S E C U R E YO U R P R I VAT E A P P O I N T M E N T 111C A S T L E R E A G H . C O M . A U 18 0 0 4 81 117
LIVING IN
33.912540° S, 151.262930° E
CLOVELLY
Clovelly has long been popular with young families wanting good schools and a coastal livestyle. B y K ATE FARRE LLY The sheltered waters off Clovelly Beach and
YOU MAY LIKE ...
Clovelly
Summers, a rehab trainer and owner of Studio
the more rugged Gordons Bay, which forms
44 Personal Training, has been running her
Sydney 8 Northumberland Street
Clovelly’s southern border, have a reputation for
business on Burnie Street for 15 years and says
$11.5 million
being great snorkelling spots. On a good day, you
Clovelly has a deep sense of community and feels
might bump into a blue groper, surgeonfish,
both safe and relaxed.
octopus and starfish. But while the locals love having access to this underwater world, they’re equally smitten with life on land. “When I walk along the end of the
Her favourite stores include Chinaclay, a florist
Burrows Park, I feel like I could be a million miles
and Gallery East, an exhibition space that also
away from anywhere,” says Lisa Summers.
runs small musical events and local festivals.
“There are pockets of bush and the sea, and it’s
On the food front, Summers loves Darley Street
absolutely so beautiful. I also tend to walk a fair
Bistro for its consistently good food and
bit around the local area – not just the coastal
lovely staff, and newcomer Reel, a casual
walk – and there are lots of amazing gardens and
seafood restaurant.
Waverley Cemetery, you’ll see native birds and lizards, which provide a welcome dose of nature so close to the city.
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has a village feel,” she says. and ceramics gallery showcasing local artists,
Summers says if you wander through the
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in comparison, is a little bit more tranquil and
Clovelly promenade or along the rocks at
beautiful trees.”
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“I originally lived in Coogee, and so Clovelly,
PPD Real Estate agent Alexander Phillips adds Gordons Cafe and the iconic Clovelly Hotel to
For sale
the must-visit list.
Agent: PPD Real Estate, Alexander Phillips 0418 404 337
Mixed demographic
Off-form concrete, copper, recycled timber and
Phillips says the suburb has long been popular
repurposed sandstone have been combined in
important focus,” she says. “Most people in this
with young families keen to send their kids to
this Mary Ellen Hudson-designed residence. It’s
area look for that connection.”
the popular Clovelly Public School.
400 metres from the beach and has ocean views.
“The connection to the environment is a really
But it’s also a magnet for cashed-up
Village delights
professionals happy to pay top dollar to get into
While it’s a quieter pocket than neighbours
the market. Phillips reports two record sales
Clovelly plays host
Coogee and Bronte, Clovelly still plays host to a
in the past 12 months, with 24 Ocean Street
to restaurants,
Hover your camera over the
collection of restaurants, specialty stores and
fetching $9.9 million last year and 20 Victory
specialty shops and
code to see Domain listings
small businesses with a loyal local following.
Street selling off-market for circa $13.5 million.
small businesses.
in Clovelly
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THE PROPERTY INVESTOR
VAIDA SAVICKAITE
Reap the benefits of future-proofing Make some easy, cost-effective and timeless cosmetic changes to boost an investment property’s appeal. B y SU E WILLIAMS
I
First impressions matter, so ensure the front of the property looks clean and well-maintained.
nvestors have flooded back into residential real estate nationally, pulling money out of equity markets to buy property at rockbottom interest rates in the hope prices will continue to rise. But the wise ones, says buyers’ agent Emma Bloom, are those choosing houses or apartments that they know they can improve to provide some kind of value-add. “That’s a sure way of making your money work harder for you,” says Bloom, director of agency Morrell and Koren. “If you bought something that’s a completely finished product, then you’d have to be sure it’s in a very good growth location, so you can make money on it that way instead. “A lot of people are now buying investment properties to improve, rent out now, and then maybe use later to give their children a toehold in the property market. And so they want to make the properties future-proof.” There are many things they can do to achieve that. Cosmetic changes, like cleaning and painting and renewing flooring can cost little, but may have a dramatic impact.
Interiors expert Andrew Loader from his eponymous design company in Sydney always recommends making spaces look larger, brighter and lighter by repainting in neutral colours. “That can make even smaller spaces look much bigger than they are,” he says. “Flooring is also
“Putting in storage can make a home a lot more appealing to tenants.” very important. It needs to look good and be hard-wearing and durable at the same time.” Carpets can need a lot of cleaning, but hard timber floors or tiled floors are always a good idea for investment properties. “Putting in storage can also make a home a lot more appealing to tenants. A lot of older
houses and apartments don’t have enough storage or they were built when free-standing wardrobes were in vogue.” Dated window dressings, awnings and fly screens can also age a property, and make it a lot darker than it should be, advises Sara Chamberlain, director of Melbourne’s The Real Estate Stylist. And there’s no substitute for a thorough clean, and repairing any damage done to walls, floors and backyards by pets. “There are so many little jobs that can be done by anyone with even the slightest clue about DIY,” says Chamberlain. “Replacing grouting in bathrooms, updating taps, replacing simple fittings … these can all have a major effect on how a place looks. “It’s also always worth spending a bit of time in the front garden as first impressions are so important, and so many people might take a drive-by to have a look. You want to make sure the grass looks good, that the front gate doesn’t squeak and that the letter box is smart.” Resist major work, like replacing the kitchen and bathrooms, however, since such big expenditure will slash rental yields. “If you buy an investment property, then do a major renovation, then realistically you should never have bought it,” says David Easterbrook, owner of Elite Buyer Agents. “That’s the difference between what you do to an investment property and what you do as an owner-occupier.”
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Sale 1811/108 Albert Street, Brisbane City
Sale
Sale
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108 Margaret Street, Brisbane City
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Karl Yesberg 0439 797 266 karl.yesberg@raywhite.com