Domain Prestige - August 09, 2023

PRESTIGE

ART OF HOME

JOSEPHINE HUYNH

I currently exist somewhere in between reality and the fantasy of still lounging on a sunbed in Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera, where I spent the most part of my holidays in Europe. Sorry in advance, because no doubt I’ll keep harping on about my time abroad in future ed’s letters, but I hope to bring just an ounce of the style I encountered over there into the pages of Prestige. Our cover property this week is an Italianate masterpiece, reminiscent of the hotel lobby I walked through every day in Milan and the architectural splendours of Florence and the Tuscan countryside. What I did miss, though, were our sandy Australian beaches, and where better to find world-class golden stretches than the Sunshine Coast? We visit Mooloolaba in this edition, and reading about its sparkling coastline fringed by sugarwhite sand has made me feel good to be back home, sweet home.

OUR COVER

75 Ocean Street, Woollahra

Listed by The Agency

Eastern Suburbs PAGE 2

Editor:

Josephine Huynh

Editorial producer: Hailey Coules

Group picture editor:

Kylie Thomson

Senior designer:

Colleen Chin Quan

Graphic designer: Emma Drake

National magazine

editor:

Natalie Mortimer

Group content director:

Mark Roppolo

Chief marketing officer: Rebecca Darley

Chief executive officer: Jason Pellegrino

Residential sales:

Queensland

Amanda Vaughan 0413 370 004

New South Wales

Joe Pinneri 0408 694 223

Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern

Territory & Tasmania

Ray van Veenendaal 0438 279 870

New development sales:

Ivan Curic 0413 498 156

Media sales:

Sam Hill 0438 348 998

Contact:

editorial@domain.com.au

By KATE FARRELLY

Woollahra

Sydney 75 Ocean Street

$25 million

6 4 2

Auction: 12.45pm, August 19

Agent: The Agency Eastern Suburbs, Ben Collier 0414 646 476

Located within the consular precinct, Icilus is a beautifully preserved and enhanced Victorian Italianate residence dating back to the 1880s. The superb finishes include Belgian steamed-oak floors, marble fireplaces and benchtops, custom cabinetry and steel-framed doors. Set behind parterre gardens, the home is a short stroll from village boutiques and cafes.

Hunters Hill

Sydney 4 Collingwood Street

$7.85 million

5 4 2

Auction: 9.45am, August 19

Agent: McGrath Hunters Hill, Matt Ward 0417 942 223

Originally designed by Neeson Murcutt and recently refreshed, this striking concrete and timber residence with a pool boasts idyllic northerly views over Lane Cove River. The flexible floor plan provides three separate living zones plus a covered al fresco area adjoining a level lawn.

Middle Park

Melbourne 341-343 Richardson Street

$8.5 million-$9.35 million

Expressions of interest: Close 2pm, August 21

Agent: Jellis Craig Port Phillip, Simon Gowling 0422 234 644 Within walking distance of the bay and Albert Park Reserve, this Edwardian residence is an amalgamation of two homes. You’ll find original floors, soaring ceilings and lovely leadlights, plus big, open living spaces connecting to a north-east-facing deck and a garden with a self-contained studio.

Clovelly

Sydney 34a Greville Street

$7.75 million 4 3 2

Auction: 11am, August 26

Agent: PPD Real Estate, Alexander Phillips 0418 404 337

Claiming a corner block a kilometre from the beach, this Hamptons-style home was rebuilt in 2018 and has ocean views from the upper level.

NATURAL

LIGHTING Exhibiting a stunning blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern design, the Tile Wall Light by South Drawn is handcrafted from organic ceramic clay and locally sourced materials. It is available in a choice of terracotta, black chocolate or sand. southdrawn.com.au

Down to earth

Terracotta is one of the oldest materials, and its timeless nature is evident in these modern objects. Compiled by PAULINE MORRISSEY

MIX AND MATCH A wonderful collaboration between SP01 and Jean-Christophe Clair of the Italian ceramic studio Rometti has resulted in a beautiful collection of terracotta vases. In colours of deep brown, light grey and mint blue, they are intended to be mixed and matched. sp01design.com

INDUSTRIAL MEETS NATURAL A stunning blend of industrial and organic design, the Skeleton U Pendant by Bentu was inspired by industrial casting moulds. It’s made from natural materials and finished in an earthy orange or brown. remodern.com.au

TABLE TALK Adam Goodrum’s Pitcher Table and Stool Set for Artedomus is more art than furniture. He explores the characteristics of terracotta while expertly displaying mathematical balance. artedomus.com

By JIL HOGAN

From the front gate of Tortoise Hill Reserve, a meandering brick-paved driveway stretches 2.9 kilometres to the property’s stunning main residence.

The journey to the front door is an adventure in itself. Along the way you might catch a glimpse of protected game, such as eland, kudu, springbok or even zebra. And as the property’s name suggests, you’re all but guaranteed to come across a leopard tortoise.

Not to mention the awe-inspiring, uninterrupted views of the surrounding mountains that envelop you along the way. One way or another, you’re left in no doubt that you’re within the unspoiled beauty of Africa.

Set in the north of the Cape Winelands region in South Africa’s south-west, Tortoise Hill Reserve is about a two hour drive from Cape Town International Airport. Built in 2014 on more than 600 hectares of unspoiled land, the

property includes a main house, two guest cottages, a barn with further guest suites, and a large entertaining “clubhouse” beside the pool.

The main residence is nothing short of grand. The ground floor features multiple lounges that open out to a range of patios for watching the world go by. Then there’s a billiards room, a music room with an acoustically treated ceiling – ideal for live music events – a study, a cinema room, a library and two kitchens fit for largescale entertaining.

You can take the lift to the upper level, where you’ll find another study, three bedrooms with en suites, a reading room, and a stargazing deck complete with telescope.

The main bedroom suite is a study in opulence with cathedral ceilings, a balcony, a sitting room, a large dressing area, a walk-in safe, a bathroom with huge spa bath, bidet and heated towel rack, and a dumbwaiter to the kitchen.

Separate to the home are two one-bedroom cottages, each with their own sitting room. One sits upstairs from a fully equipped gym serviced by a bathroom. A barn includes ample storage and two upstairs studio flats.

And then there’s that clubhouse, which boasts an outdoor kitchen and covered dining area, all overlooking a 12-metre crystal-clear lap pool. A dip in there comes with uninterrupted views to the mountains, while a clarifying canal circulates water over rock and plants, naturally cleaning the pool water as it passes.

The home is also enhanced by water-wise landscaping, water features, ponds, and fully irrigated native landscaping. Stone for the feature walls was quarried locally and the fences took six months to craft by hand.

“The home is incredibly well built and offers exceptional quality features,” says agent Aimee Campbell. “Due to its setting, it will appeal to nature lovers, foremost, who enjoy a luxury setting with every conceivable convenience. It’s also an entertainer’s delight and can host large groups. Catering is a breeze with two kitchens,

Tortoise Hill Reserve is a slice of the real Africa – a luxurious property surrounded by winelands and teeming with game.

The main residence has a number of lounges and patios from which you can gaze at the scenery and wildlife.

CAPE WINELANDS

a walk-in fridge, multiple dining rooms, music room, extra-large lounge with full-size billiard table and an awe-inspiring entertainment area with a rim-flow natural pool.”

As for the local region, it’s a nature lover’s delight, known – unsurprisingly – for its wine. Visitors are drawn to the area’s vineyards, gourmet produce and stunning scenery. It’s situated near the gateway to Route 62, a scenic drive said to be the world’s longest wine route, and the sprawling semi-desert of the Great Karoo. The remote setting means you feel completely secluded from the rest of the world, although there is still plenty nearby.

“The country village of Montagu is 20 minutes away and offers many coffee shops and antique stores,” Campbell says. “Robertson is the closest town, being 10 minutes away, and offers all manner of local conveniences.”

There is also a small airport nearby. No matter where you choose to perch yourself on the property, the rooms are spacious with plenty of verandahs and outdoor spaces for admiring the serene mountain views, the sprawling, natural landscape and, of course, the property’s wildlife residents.

“The game on the property really is very special,” Campbell says. “Even as a South African, it’s wonderful ... I can imagine as a foreign buyer it must be thrilling.”

Cape Winelands

South Africa Western Cape

7 9 8

The property offers multiple reception rooms, two kitchens and water-wise landscaping.

Agent: Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate, Carrick Campbell +27 71 502 3517

$US3.9 million ($5.76 million)

Many luxury home cinemas, such as this one created by Denote, feature tiered seating and acoustic wall treatments.

TOP TIER

The screens of your dreams

By HELEN HAWKES

As even luxury experiences become more screen-based – attending a hautecouture show virtually, for example –a premium, home cinema that includes the latest technology is increasingly sought after.

“Starlight ceilings, professional surroundsound equipment, integrated wine cellars or minibars and true cinema-style tiered seating are often seen across the luxury end of the market,” says Drew Davies, principal of Place Estate Agents Ascot.

As technology continues to advance, those who can afford the latest high-tech gadgets are able to create a sublime at-home movie experience.

Interior designer Brendan Wong says D-BOX haptic technology – which movie buffs may have experienced at Hoyts cinemas – is now making an appearance in top-tier homes.

“Dedicated home cinemas have been standard in luxury homes for a while,” he says. “But that experience is being elevated with motion chairs that move up and down, roll left and right and tilt back and forth in sync with the film to mimic actions such as flying and driving.”

Jono Dorset, director of Denote, a company that specialises in luxury home technology and

cinema integration, explains that most major films now have a director’s motion code.

“The goal of cinema is escapism, as well as trying to create an emotional connection between the content and the person watching, and D-Box chairs are an absolute luxury product that helps achieve that,” he says.

Another important element is sound.

“Acoustic wall treatments such as diffusers, reflectors and absorbers, not flat walls, are essential for a quality experience,” Dorset says.

“For an immersive, surround-sound solution for an eight-seat, home cinema in the milliondollar range, currently in development, we are using 19 speakers and eight subwoofers from British brand Meridian.”

While there is a trend towards grouping a home cinema with other leisure features such as a gym, a relaxation room, a wine cellar-tasting room or an indoor pool-spa-sauna, novel entertainment-based solutions can also thrill.

“Extensions of a luxury cinema can include a space with pinball machines, for example, for parents who want younger generations to experience the physical fun of an arcade game that is not just screen-based,” Wong says.

Auction: 6pm, August 9

Agent: Place Estate Agents Ascot,  Drew Davies 0421078273

“This iconic contemporary residence boasts superb views and a showstopping cinema with ample tiered seating and a professional sound system,” says agent Drew Davies.

Imagine the ideal place to call home. Does it include barefoot beach days, a swim in glistening waters, then fish and chips for lunch? Or perhaps strolls along an esplanade or wharf, with icecream in hand, enhanced by the sea breeze?

Such doses of “vitamin sea” are just the daily norms for the fortunate locals who call Mooloolaba home, a coastal gem nestled along Queensland’s coveted Sunshine Coast.

Happiness comes in waves

Living this sun-kissed life first-hand is Shane Newton, a barista by trade and the proud owner of Hustle + Flow, a cafe that combines Australia’s loves of cafes and beach culture and sits under The Surf Club Mooloolaba.

“Working right on the beachfront, I get to witness Mooloolaba’s irresistible coastal charm unfold daily,” Newton says. “I love to watch residents take advantage of the gorgeous weather and beach; people ocean swimming or paddling at the crack of dawn, even in winter!”

When not fuelling locals with specialty coffee and treats, Newton paints a picturesque image of how he loves to spend his own downtime.

“I’d get up early and walk the beach track along to the spit before popping into the cafe for a coffee, followed by a swim and lay down on the beach,” he says. “Then, I’d head over to the wharf to Rice Boi for lunch before heading back for

afternoon beers on the surf club’s deck to watch the waves roll in – call it cliched, but every day truly feels like a holiday.”

A sunny and stable investment

McGrath Mooloolaba agent Hamish Bolderston affirms that the allure of Mooloolaba goes far beyond the water’s edge, noting that the suburb offers a whole package of benefits.

“The increase in the number of people who can work from home has resulted in more younger professionals and their families moving to Mooloolaba, wishing to live 10 minutes from the beach at relatively good prices,” Bolderston says.

“This creates a blend of seasoned locals and fresh faces, making settling in Mooloolaba a welcoming breeze.”

Despite prices stabilising, Mooloolaba’s median house price sits at $1.35 million, a 4.7 per cent year-on-year increase, and a staggering 77.6 per cent rise in just five years, according to the latest Domain House Price Report.

“Adding to its appeal, Mooloolaba is close to a variety of highly regarded private schools and a university, meaning families can rest easy regarding their children’s development,” Bolderston says.

The Sunshine Coast Airport is within reach, and the Brisbane International Airport is just a quick one-hour journey away, he adds.

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Mooloolaba

Sunshine Coast 36 Amarina Avenue $2.2 million+

5 4 2

Private sale

Agent: HOME Sunshine Coast, Jess Ruskin 0407 231 788

The living areas of this sunny and spacious waterfront home flow to an al fresco setting and resort-style pool. It has a self-contained downstairs space and a boat ramp.

Mooloolaba’s median house price sits at $1.35 million, a 77.6 per cent five-year increase.

This seaside centre on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is a wonderful place to call home, the locals say.

By PAULINE MORRISSEY

Hover your camera over the code to see Domain listings in Mooloolaba

Located in a tightly held block of just six residences.

• Spacious living and gourmet kitchen dining zone that flows out to another large entertaining balcony with plantation security shutters.

• Huge master bedroom with walk-in robe, and an opulent ensuite featuring double vanities with sliding doors opening to a private balcony overlooking the sparkling pool.

Luxurious 195 m2 ground floor beachfront apartment with direct access to the Kurrawa Parklands.

1/255 Hedges Avenue

Mermaid Beach

3 bed | 2 bath | 2 car

Auction 19 August 11am

Open Saturday 11am-12pm

londonea.com.au

Ron London 0415 114 342 Nick Jamieson 0421 771 100

Trevor Groves 0409 579 823

3 3 2 508

116 HAYWARD ROAD, LAKE MACDONALD

Picture an exclusive gated peninsular estate, morphing across 19ha, almost surrounded by the pristine 2.5kms foreshore of Lake Macdonald with its priceless treasure trove of wildlife. Experience the absolute exhilaration and majesty of a historic Queenslander, aptly named Barellan meaning Meeting of the Waters and a mere 15 mins to sophisticated Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach. Inside exudes a sense of indisputable splendour,

fashioned with timeless design provenance. French doors open from every room to wide verandahs which totally encapsulate the 360-degree view, not only the 25-metre pool, also sprawling lawns, the lake and mountains beyond. Every once in a while, a property takes your breath away. Barellan is one of those moments.

Price $17M

Agent Tom Offermann 0412 711 888 tom@offermann.com.au

Agent Cameron Urquhart 0411 757 570 cameron@offermann.com.au