Mansion August Edition

Mansion incorporating news from Dow jones’

AustrAliA

Plus

12-page Interiors section

Collected works Home is where the art is

Gold Coast revamp The new wave of apartment living

Cattle country

Historic property passes muster

Jamie Durie

Lake Como’s most serene hotel

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Felix.

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Corner Corner Ocean Ocean Road Road and and The The Beacons, Beacons, Port Port of of Airlie, Airlie, Airlie Airlie Beach Beach

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Contents

Beachfront Brighton, cottage Point glass treehouse, cool kununurra

1 3 l u x u ry

1 8 cov E r story

art is far more than a decorative add-on in collectors’ homes

24 ja m i E d u r i E

Patricia urquiola’s inspired hotel on the shores of lake como

26 dolly lEnz

new york’s High line Park is the epitome of urban repurposing apartment living is stretching its wings beyond the holiday high rise

3 0 g ol d coa st 3 4 BrisBanE 3 6 ru r a l

4 1 conc i E rg E s

Writers robyn ironside joel robinson

Buyers are looking for value beyond Byron Bay

milanda rout Elizabeth redman Chief sub editor

judy garland’s beach bolthole, historic hop house

4 4 Bac k Pag E

cattle stations have been big business since colonial days

4 7 intEriors

intelligent design transforms a federation cottage

58 my stylE

jonathan chancellor

Art director

the ultimate in apartment service is in big demand

56 intEriors nEws

turi condon Contributing editor

shireen nolan

the community feel of these upmarket enclaves is a selling point

4 3 m a n s ion g l oBa l

AustrAliA

Editor

david meagher

dyraaba station on the nsw north coast has a rich history

4 0 m i d - nort H coa st n s w

Mansion Interiors editor

Prestige property in the Queensland capital is on an upswing

38 villagE lifE

Dyraaba Station in northern NSW

deirdre Blayney Picture editor christine westwood Advertising craig warren tel. 61 2 9288 3678

understated pieces set a monochrome mood

craig.warren@news.com.au

great dane’s anton assaad on the comforts of home

michael thompson tel. 61 2 9288 3630 michael.thompson2@news.com.au

nExt issuE:

september 8, 2018

on tHE covEr a painting by artist ray crooke is a focal point in a tamarama, nsw, penthouse. featured in The Patterned Interior, by greg natale (rizzoli new york), published next month

Mansion incorporating news from Dow jones’

AustrAliA

Plus

12-page Interiors section

Collected works Home is where the art is

Gold Coast revamp The new wave of apartment living

Cattle country

Historic property passes muster

Jamie Durie

Lake Como’s most serene hotel

Issue 19 August 2018

unsolicited manuscripts will not be considered.

Printed by PmP Print, 31 Heathcote road, moorebank 2170, for the proprietor and publisher, nationwide news Pty limited (acn 008 438 828), of 2 Holt street, surry Hills, nsw 2010 for insertion in The Weekend Australian on august 11, 2018

Editor’s letter a striking sidney nolan from the late artist’s ned kelly series not only dominates one home in sydney’s neutral Bay, it set the tone for the home’s design. meanwhile, a melbourne couple who started their art collection in the 1980s after leaving university now describe themselves as “addicted” and “hoarders”. art can play a defining role in a home, writes jonathan chancellor in our cover story, and interior designers and architects often take their cues from artworks. But as one collector points out, it’s not wallpaper. instead, it’s an expression of an owner’s personality and passions, and as australians travel and buy art internationally, homes are reflecting this global palette. on a grander scale, public art or infrastructure – in this case a park – also affects homes that surround it. new york’s High line, formerly an ugly, disused train line and now a sinuous 2.3km stretch of green, has reinvigorated the area for residents, seen real estate values surge, and drawn so many high-profile architects it’s been dubbed the “starchitecture district”, writes dolly lenz, who notes that such public projects will also fuel property values in australia. in melbourne, plans for a $300 million parkland project built on decks above city rail yards have been floated, while sydney cBd’s Hyde Park has attracted high-rise towers and Perth’s Elizabeth Quays is enlivening the city. columnist jamie durie is focused on location – lake como near milan – and confesses to a crush on the new hotel on its shores as well as its designer. Patricia urquiola, best known for her furniture, was given free rein to design across the property’s 30 rooms, as well as its exterior, restaurants and surrounds. the “360-degree” brief helped the hotel make last year’s Condé Nast Traveller hot list. on the gold coast, a wave of new design has appeared in the form of luxury high-rise towers coming onstream, while in our interiors section milanda rout talks to two melbourne architects who formed a new studio and then practised their first residential project on one of the pair’s own home. we hope you enjoy this issue of Mansion Australia.

Turi Condon Editor

For Sale : Price on Application Inspect : by Private Appointment

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Luxury

BRIgHton

Bayside beauty the moorings, a seven-bedroom bayside Brighton home unoccupied since its 2014 sale to overseas chinese buyers for $13 million, has returned to the market. the beachfront spanish mission-style home, at 1 Bay street, would surpass the melbourne sand-belt suburb record set by the $22 million sale of nearby 39 seacombe grove in 2015 if it reaches its $27 million to $29 million hopes. on almost 2000sq m with a pool and lawns, the residence has 26 rooms. It was owned by former olympian Ron clarke for three years until its sale in 1978 to Peter kolliner, director of contemporary glass gallery kirra galleries.

It is being sold by an expression of interest campaign that closes on august 28 through Rt Edgar agents Jin Jing and mandy Zhu. the home’s 1920s façade has no heritage listing but plans to demolish and subdivide it have fallen through twice despite the prime middle Brighton position. the Victorian civil and administrative tribunal controversially granted permission to demolish many years ago. the home was built for Ernest Bradshaw and first sold in 1932 to the Visbold family.

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a cottage Point home described as a modern industrial glass treehouse has been listed for sale. It sits at the tip of ku-ring-gai chase national Park on 775sq m with native gums on one side and cowan waters on the other. the home was inspired by the designs of architect glenn murcutt, whose work pays close attention to the surrounding environment, including temperature, light and wind direction. a 250kg double-sided cast-iron fireplace in the lounge area heats the three-bedroom home, which has floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the water. complete with waterfront boatshed and mooring, it has a revised price of $2.88 million, having been listed with $3 million-plus hopes through stone Real Estate mona Vale agents murray Bakker and greg duce. cottage Point is one of sydney’s smallest road access waterfront villages, with just 50 tightly held properties. the past five years have seen a dozen sales. the suburb record was set in 2008 when Lifestyle Village services director Jytte Logan paid $6.45 million for a fourbedroom deep waterfront home a few doors along with a 14m saltwater pool and spa.

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Luxury

H a m ilton isl a n d

Oasis of calm Yacht club villa 32, a whitsundays retreat in the tightly held Hamilton island residential complex, has been listed for sale for $2.3 million. within the development designed by architect walter Barda, it has interiors by chhada siembieda and is set in landscaped gardens by Jamie durie. the villa features an abundance of natural timbers, a sweeping curved ceiling and muted neutral tones, with external walls and columns dressed in dark-hued local basalt that lends a calming, earthy feel. set high above the development, it has been bringing in more than $200,000 per annum as a holiday rental. with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, it has views across dent Passage to dent island, where the $45 million, Peter thomson-designed Hamilton island golf course sits. it has 200sq m of living space spread over three levels and its own private plunge pool accessible from two of the bedrooms. wayne singleton at Hamilton island real Estate is marketing the property fully furnished, with two buggy permits. the nearby $85 million Hamilton island Yacht club was established by the late Bob oatley and officially opened by former Queensland premier anna Bligh during Hamilton island race week in 2009. race week, which comes up shortly, accounts for around 10 per cent of Hamilton’s 327,000 annual visitors. it is australia’s largest offshore keelboat regatta.

the best apartment in the residences in Brisbane’s cBd has hit the market. Having last traded for $2.1 million in 2009, the penthouse space has since been delightfully renovated. spanning 310sq m, the apartment in the anzac square building on adelaide street features soaring ceilings and large-scale rooms, in keeping with the building’s classic art deco architecture. there is western red cedar parquetry throughout, a living room divided

by French doors, and Juliet-style balconies that look out across the square. knight Frank agents deborah cullen and Jason march are marketing the apartment, which has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a library. the 1931 sandstone building was updated in 2000 with the addition of 47 apartments by Forrester kurts, who had bought the former state government offices for $17 million in 1997. the 1930s design was overseen by andrew leven, the chief architect of the Queensland department of Public works. the block now has a full-sized billiards room, a fitness area with gym, sauna and a 20m heated indoor lap pool. last year it was rented at $2500 a week.

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one of Queenscliff’s finest trophy homes has hit the market. set amid level lawns and tropical gardens, the sydney northern beaches offering has been listed with record-breaking hopes through Rowe Partners agents Jake Rowe and nathan tse. they have a price guide of $11 million to $12 million guide for the september 1 auction.

Renovated since it last traded for $3.8 million in 2008, the three-level home on an 805sq m block on Pavilion street has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and two home offices. the lounge, with gas log fireplaces, and the glass-framed dining and living rooms flow to seaside terraces with a firepit and plunge pool. the listing comes off the back of big sales in the Queenscliff prestige market.

Earlier this year another Pavilion street home, a one-bedroom cottage on the clifftop, sold for $5.55 million, marketed as the last underdeveloped block on the headland.

Late last year the sydney suburb’s price record was set when fund manager andrew Formica spent $10 million on a home on crown Road with direct access to Freshwater Beach.

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FLIndERs

s u nsH I n E c oa st H I n t E R L a n d

Rustic appeal

Rooms with a view

timber homes have long been in favour throughout Victoria’s mornington Peninsula. with new builds, architects often look at only applying modern touches to the longstanding tradition. a Flinders home built last year has quickly found a buyer, having been constructed in cosy keeping with the pared-down coastal approach. dubbed the Barn, the luxury home clad in ironbank timber comes with slatted pergolas and steel French doors, and is wrapped in expansive verandas.

It has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and second lounge on the split level above the garage. the open-plan living and dining room with cathedral ceilings features an open fireplace in a floor-to-ceiling limestone dry stack surround. a 12m swimming pool, pool house, guest house and tennis court sit in the rear garden of the 1500sq m parcel. one agency Peninsula selling agent Lloyd Robinson had offered a price guide of $3.9 million to $4.3 million.

whispering Hills, a sunshine coast hinterland home built in 2012, has been listed for sale. situated at Bald knob, some 40km inland from the coast near maleny, it captures views of the glasshouse mountains through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors. set on a 42ha parcel bordered by the Brisbane Forest Park and with spring-fed ponds, the Hillside Lane home has four bedrooms. the asking price is $2.74 million through Ray white Rural agents Peter douglas and Jason mattiazzi.

Bald knob’s prices surpassed $2 million last year with a 14ha offering, grange.

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art HOUSE HOUSE

BY Jonat H a n c H a nc El l or

BY Jonat H a n c H a nc El l or

these collectors, integrating treasured pieces their home’s ForFor these collectors, integrating treasured pieces withinwithin their home’s design a considered process way beyond decoration design hashas beenbeen a considered process goinggoing way beyond mere mere decoration

anson smart anson smart

Great art and architecture is a is a Great art Great and Great architecture

Opposite: At a home in coastal Avoca in NSW, a plaid picksinup the hues Opposite: At rug a home coastal Avoca of ainpainting Scott NSW, a by plaid rugPetrie. picks up the hues This A Greg of page: a painting

by Natale-designed Scott Petrie. interior in Neutral Bay, Sydney, took This page: A Greg Natale-designed its interior cues from a large painting from took in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly series its cues from a large painting from Sidney Nolan’s Ned Kelly series august 1 1 - 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n

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winningwinning residential combination, art adviser sharpe tells residential combination, art Vivienne adviser Vivienne sharpe tells clients. “art maketh the home,” says. she “it’ssays. important to incorporate a clients. “art maketh theshe home,” “it’s important to incorporate a budget for purchasing art when planning the build.” and many times budget for purchasing art when planning the build.” and many times less is more when the art is well selected and curated.” currently there is less is more when the art is well selected and curated.” currently there is excellent value in quality australian art, she says. excellent value in quality australian art, she says. rae-ann sinclair and nigel williams have gathered an impressive rae-ann sinclair and nigel williams have gathered an impressive art collection since they made their first purchase within a year of art collection since they made their first purchase within a year of leaving university in the mid-1980s. their passion for and commitment leaving university in the mid-1980s. their passion for and commitment to the arts, as both collectors and patrons, is on display at their recently to the arts,apartment. as both collectors and patrons, is on display at their recently listed south Yarra listed south Yarrayoung apartment. the work of mostly and emerging artists is immediately theenter workthe ofhome. mostly young emerging artists immediately evident as you the walls and of every room are linediswith evident as you enter the home. the walls of every room are paintings and photographs, along with large sculptures, by the likes oflined with photographs, alongPiccinini, with largeFiona sculptures, by the likes of ronnie paintings van Hout,and Penny Byrne, Patricia Hall, Vicky van Hout, Pennycommanding Byrne, Patricia Piccinini, Fiona in Hall, Vicky Fanningronnie and laurence aberhart. immediate attention Fanning laurence aberhart. kapa commanding immediate attention in the lounge room and is a michael Parekowhai Haka sculpture. loungeluxurious room is a penthouse michael Parekowhai kapa Haka sculpture. the the couple’s crowns the top-floor of the the couple’s luxurious crowns the between top-floor of the bespoke European-inspired complexpenthouse the lowndes, tucked the lowndes, tucked between toorak bespoke road andEuropean-inspired chapel street. thecomplex gallery-inspired, four-bedroom, toorak apartment road andcomes chapel street. thedining gallery-inspired, four-bedroom, four-bathroom with separate room and granite apartment comes with separate dining room and granite kitchen four-bathroom with a Paul Bocuse stove. its north-facing hotel-inspired main kitchen with awith Paul Bocuseroom, stove.gym its north-facing bedroom suite comes dressing and study. hotel-inspired main the bedroom residencesuite is wrapped in terraces with views over comes with dressing room, gym andmelbourne study. from beneath vine-draped pergola. there’s basement garaging thea residence is wrapped in terraces with views overfor melbourne three cars, with direct lift access into a private foyer. from beneath a vine-draped pergola. there’s basement garaging for kay three and Burton south Yarra ross savas has the listing of the cars, with direct liftagent access into a private foyer. grandly scaled which hasYarra travertine kayapartment, and Burton south agent and rosshardwood savas hasflooring, the listing of the floor-to-ceiling doors and soaring ceilings. $6 million to $6.6 flooring, grandlyglass scaled apartment, which has there’s travertine and hardwood million hopes given its 380sq of internal space with 370sq m of terraces. floor-to-ceiling glassm doors and soaring ceilings. there’s $6 million to $6.6 “themillion apartment a stage for both entertaining hopesisgiven its 380sq m of large-scale internal space with 370sqand m of terraces. intimate daily living,” savas says. “the apartment is a stage for both large-scale entertaining and the intimate chambers street apartment is not home to the whole art daily living,” savas says. collection, just of the larger owned by the couple, arewhole art thesome chambers streetworks apartment is not home who to the headingcollection, to Elizabeth Bay in sydney. just some of the larger works owned by the couple, who are “we’re hoarders rather than heading to Elizabeth Baycollectors,” in sydney.they confessed to the arts “we’re hoarders rather than collectors,” they confessed to the arts m a nsionaust r a l i a .c om . au

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This page: The luxurious Melbourne penthouse of Rae-Ann Sinclair and Nigel Williams is the perfect showcase for the couple’s stunning art collection

Art should be enjoyed and displayed as part of a complete vision. It needs to be harmonious with architecture, even with upholstery selection

magazine Vault. “it’s a bit of an addiction, really,” sinclair says, adding that their typical saturday is spent exploring art galleries and viewing exhibitions. they don’t buy art to match anything – it’s not decoration. “the art we buy is not wallpaper,” they say, and social commentary is really strong in their collection. in the end, they agree on everything, “so much so that if the apartment was burning down we would be in agreement on what we’d grab to save”.

Just one art work can play a defining role in home design. this was the case with a four-storey residence designed by interior designer greg natale for a couple in the sydney harbourside suburb of neutral Bay that incorporated “two visual wonders”. “the first was a treasured work of art, a large painting by the legendary late australian artist sidney nolan from his ned kelly series,” says natale “the second, just as much a work of art, was the expansive view of sydney’s beautiful harbour.” natale’s challenge was to design a grand yet liveable space that took inspiration from the hues of the nolan painting yet didn’t fight with the vista. the owners wanted a light-filled home with an abundance of white surfaces and clean, modern lines that would allow for a relaxed flow between areas in the five-bedroom house. to break up the expanses of white, natale introduced subtle patterning with white-on-white wallpaper. adding warmth were honey-toned wide oak floors, and a travertine staircase and feature wall. with the nolan painting as the inspiration for the palette, he layered tones of plum, purple, violet and lilac onto the white backdrop, providing “exhilarating pops of colour” with cushions, throws, vases and tailor-made rugs. while natale suggests pattern can be just as effective when it’s understated, his own home in darlinghurst’s Horizon high-rise comes with an element of drama. inspired by the strong, vibrant colours of an abstract painting by waldemar kolbusz on the living room wall, he introduced a navy velvet modular sofa beneath, accessorised with cushions in gold and graphic black and white.

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natale started his own business in 2001, eager to steer away from the then dominating minimalist white boxes. His first project used the wallpaper print steps iii by Florence Broadhurst, earning him his first major design award. the entrance of a recent project at avoca, on the nsw central coast, features vignettes that play upon the house’s central palette and pattern. a scott Petrie painting featuring hues of sand, sea and sky sits above a plaid rug. “i have always loved plaid,” natale says. “growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, i remember watching Vivienne westwood rock the fashion world with her punk-inspired plaid creations.”

He’s witnessed the fabric’s rebellious reinvention under designer alexander mcQueen and its next-generation makeover with luxury label Burberry. observing the way david nightingale Hicks incorporated plaid into his richly layered interior designs made a great impression on natale as he was learning his craft.

He says the intense blues of sky and sea are permanent fixtures at avoca, and that blue plaid is nothing new. “the Beach Boys famously dressed in blue plaid Pendleton shirts, ensuring that this memorable fabric would forever enjoy an association with surf and sun,” he says. a classic beach vibe was important to his clients, a couple who wanted a traditional retreat that was both polished and relaxed. the two-storey, five-bedroom house was built on a large bushland property three miles from the beach, and natale sought to incorporate country and coastal styles in its design.

For a two-storey penthouse in sydney’s beachside tamarama, a ray crooke painting of Pacific islands life was the inspiration. the crooke is in the reading room of natale’s surfer client, who’d bought the ideal location to pursue his obsession. His wife wanted to transform the minimalist white box into a more layered, lavish sanctuary. “my inspiration came from a much-loved painting the owners had by the late australian artist ray crooke,” natale says. “the startling array of greens in his artwork, from yellow-gold to celadon to deep forest, set the stage for me to create an interplay of hues.”

He chose a “deliciously light shade of sea-foam green” for some walls, and there’s a green-tiled splashback in the kitchen. the living room comes with a feature wall of de gournay wallpaper with a vivid scene of birds and flowers and the iconic banana leaf pattern wallpaper featured at the Beverly Hills Hotel. “the feature wall acts almost as a mural, a beautiful piece of art in itself,” says natale, whose latest book, The Patterned Interior, will be released worldwide next month by rizzoli new York.

Veteran art dealer denis savill says art truly gives a home a sense of the personality of the owner. “artworks also convey a sense of

warmth and depth and allow a glimpse into the story of the occupants,” he says. He strongly recommends having an idea of where an artwork, especially large ones, can be placed before purchasing. “i choose paintings that i love to hang at home in my personal collection, and it just seems to work out with my furniture. the furniture plays second fiddle to the paintings, unless it is a family heirloom or favourite piece.” the most expensive piece should be over the mantelpiece in the living room, savill says. “two Picassos either side of the fireplace can work as long as you have the whiteley over the mantelpiece,” he jests. us-born, australian-based interior designer thomas Hamel regularly deals with clients who meet international art consultants before buying. one recently purchased art at masterpiece Fair in london. others approved the purchase of paintings and sculpture Hamel was able to source in Paris and st Paul de Vence. another couple has been talking to an art consultant Hamel collaborates with in san Francisco to purchase some great 1960s paintings. “the art market is flourishing,” Hamel notes. “i am thrilled that clients no longer feel they must live with austere gallery white walls to enjoy art. art should be enjoyed and displayed as a part of a complete and much more considered vision. art is only one of the important ingredients to make a successful home. it needs to be harmonious with architecture, window and floor treatments, and as a matter of fact even with upholstery selections. By no means should the decoration of a home be colour coordinated with art, but there must be a good flow.”

Hamel suggests moving the art around periodically. “it is the best way of appreciating your pieces, as they take on different character when moved to different locations, or for that matter to different homes,” he says. as decor or building projects get under way, Hamel says he begins dialogue with the clients and their consultants for placement suggestions. “we then incorporate the best lighting in these positions, and with the principle that art will and should be periodically moved, we suggest appropriate hanging systems.” while australian art – both contemporary and aboriginal – is very important, Hamel encourages clients to research artists and pieces from the global market. “this is a much more ‘enlightened’ vision,” he says. “Prestige homes in sydney, melbourne and around the country are feeling much more collected and diverse as a result of this new global vision. “my suggestion to clients is always to purchase art that speaks to them. i find the best projects and interiors occur when clients add something that makes the home uniquely theirs. i love when you visit a home and you can tell the art has a personal story to tell.”

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Jamie Durie

hoTELS

How’s the serenity

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Before I introduce you to my new favourite hot spot, I have a confession to make. I’ve had a crush on the woman who designed this extraordinary hotel for most of my design career. okay, let’s call it a design crush, as I haven’t actually met her. I did, however, get to interview this inspirational designer in the course of writing this article.

If there was an interactive museum that would best display Patricia Urquiola’s magnificent work, it could not improve on Il Sereno – the most elegant, most understated and timeless example of gracious luxury I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing in my 30 years of globetrotting.

Bravely positioned across the lake from the uber-popular town of cernobbio, this hotel enjoys a rare eastern lakeside location drenched in sunlight and auspiciously serene, just footsteps from the charming little town of Torno and 50km from milan.

It’s hard to put your finger on what makes you fall in love with this place. Is it the setting – Lake

Top: A room at Il Sereno with Lake Como beyond.

Above: The bridge leading to the lobby. Right: Patricia Urquiola. Opposite page: Exquisitely well thought-out design touches are an integral part of the hotel

como cradled by the Italian and Swiss alps?

Perhaps is it the lakeside location, the water seeming to invite you to skate across it. or is it the way Urquiola cradles the visitor in pure, organic luxury throughout the breathtaking interior? a modest 30 rooms are on offer, 23 of them lakeside. They range in size from 60sq m to a large penthouse suite boasting more than 200sq m with a private rooftop lap pool.

Urquiola was commissioned to not just design the hotel architecturally, but to fit out the interiors, the exterior, the lobby, restaurants and surrounds. She is very proud of the entire project, from the architecture to the choice of materials – all mainly sourced locally.

“I wanted that guests feel the lake and the territory in all aspects, from the manufacturing to the colour and the architecture,” she says.

“I’m very connected with the concept of genius loci – the prevailing atmosphere, spirit or character of a place.”

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Serenois isthetheantithesis antithesisofof neo-classicism average tourist Il IlSereno thethe neo-classicism thethe average tourist huntsforforaround aroundLake LakeComo.

Como. is contemporary without being hunts It isIt contemporary without being minimal,warm warmwithout withoutbeing being frumpy, earthy without being hippy minimal, frumpy, earthy without being hippy possibly Urquiola’s greatest work of art It’sIt’s possibly Urquiola’s greatest work of art to to date. and although may show I have date. and although sheshe may notnot show it, Iit,have a a sneaking suspicion is smiling inside sneaking suspicion sheshe is smiling onon thethe inside as as first year since hotel opened it has ininthethefirst year since thethe hotel opened it has picked more than eight awards well picked upup more than eight awards as as well as as a a michelinStar Starforforitsitsrestaurant, restaurant, chef michelin runrun by by chef Burton Lago.

Burton alal Lago.

The accolades well deserved – the design The accolades areare well deserved – the design is thoughtful and well considered. is thoughtful and well considered. wantedto tocreate createa 360-degree a 360-degree project, “I “Iwanted project, fromthethearchitecture architectureto tothethemost mostminimal minimal from details,” Urquiola says about herher intentions forfor details,” Urquiola says about intentions thethe interiors. interiors.

“The create something new, a a “Theaim aimwas wasto to create something new, luxury luxuryhotel hotelwhere wherepeople peoplecould couldliveliveandand experience, totally absorbed by by thethe atmosphere, experience, totally absorbed atmosphere, finding allall thethe things you need to to feelfeel cocooned finding things you need cocooned from thethe landscape, to to thethe very lastlast detail.” from landscape, very detail.”

Il Sereno is the antithesis of the neo-classicism Il Sereno is the antithesis of the neo-classicism thethe average tourist hunts forfor around Lake como.

It It average tourist hunts around Lake como. is iscontemporary without being minimal, warm contemporary without being minimal, warm without being frumpy, earthy without being hippy, without being frumpy, earthy without being hippy, and more apparent anditsitssophistication sophisticationbecomes becomes more apparent with every additional dayday youyou spend there. with every additional spend there.

Urquiola’s response when I asked herher how sheshe Urquiola’s response when I asked how defines elegant: “For me,me, thethe realreal definesluxury luxurywas was elegant: “For luxury is time,” sheshe says.

It isIt clear that thisthis is her luxury is time,” says. is clear that is her intention as as this hotel wraps youyou in in its its arms andand intention this hotel wraps arms makes you never want to to leave. makes you never want leave.

“People areare looking forfor a highly personalised “People looking a highly personalised hospitality today,” sheshe adds.

“They areare hospitalityservice service today,” adds.

“They looking addition to to thethe lookingforforananexperience experiencein in addition quality of of hospitality.” quality hospitality.”

The rooms areare beautifully putput together, with The rooms beautifully together, with most offering a view of of thethe lake.

Bedside lamps most offering a view lake.

Bedside lamps arearesuspended from thethe roof in in leather slings, suspended from roof leather slings, large largeslabs slabsof ofhand-picked, hand-picked,environmentally environmentally mm ar ww E EEkEEknEd a UaSUTSrTarLaI L a Ina n ac rh c h1 01-01 -1 1, 12, 021081 8| |T h TE hE nd V1 - AUSE01Z01MN

conscious lumber were used to fashion benchtops, embrace embrace subtle attributes of natural materials conscious lumber were used to fashion benchtops, the the subtle attributes of natural materials heavily upholstered panels walls andand them in sophisticated contemporary andand heavily upholstered panels on on the the walls use use them in sophisticated contemporary deliver acoustic qualities I have experienced design design to deliver a harmonious balance between deliver acoustic qualities I have notnot experienced to deliver a harmonious balance between in any other hotel. functional luxury in any other hotel. functional luxury andand art. art.

Some people have called it the most beautiful Each piece throughout the hotel reflects Some people have called it the most beautiful Each piece throughout the hotel reflects that that hotel in the world. “we wanted to the be the design design sensibility. entrance is quiet hotel in the world. “we wanted thethe lakelake to be sensibility.

TheThe entrance is quiet and and protagonist always present in the atmosphere unassuming. unassuming.after afterthe thelatest latestmaserati maserati protagonist andand always present in the atmosphere so that guests appreciate its colours Quattroporte house car delivers through ... so... that thethe guests appreciate howhow its colours andand Quattroporte house car delivers you you through the the mood changes during day,” Urquiola front gates, are quietly ledthe to lobby the lobby across mood changes during thethe day,” Urquiola says.says. front gates, you you are quietly led to across Il Sereno garnered prestigious climate a bridge a bridge breathtaking views towards Il Sereno hashas garnered thethe prestigious climate withwith breathtaking views towards the the house certification, alps-specific designation western house certification, an an alps-specific designation western of Lake como.

There’s a delicious sideside of Lake como.

There’s a delicious similar similarto tothetheLeed Leedcertification, certification,for forits its 18m18m fresh water infinity poolpool and and a row of of fresh water infinity a row environmental attributes, energy-saving systems custom Urquiola canvas daybeds in in environmental attributes, energy-saving systems a-framed a-framed custom Urquiola canvas daybeds andand sympathy with its surrounds. deepdeep emerald green onlyonly rivalled by the of of sympathy with its surrounds. emerald green rivalled by colour the colour I’veI’ve often been drawn to Frank Lloyd-wright’s lakelake on aon perfect day.day. often been drawn to Frank Lloyd-wright’s the the a perfect homes because youyou cancan feelfeel his his control, from the the If you desire to escape the the hotelhotel you you can can homes because control, from If you desire to escape architecture through to the interiors, the the furniture, taketake one one of three luxury polished-wood architecture through to the interiors, furniture, always always of three luxury polished-wood thethe stained glass andand even thethe landscape. when speedboats to any of the lakeside locations stained glass even landscape. when rivariva speedboats to any of the lakeside locations thatthat control comes from oneone persons’ vision andand – and yes,yes, youyou can can drivedrive yourself. control comes from persons’ vision – and yourself. thatthat person is aisvisionary, there’s a level of harmony oh,oh, andand I almost forgot: the gardens.

Stunning person a visionary, there’s a level of harmony I almost forgot: the gardens.

Stunning thatthat can’t be replicated by aby hotel delivered through trees, people pockets nestled into into lakeside can’t be replicated a hotel delivered through fruitfruit trees, people pockets nestled lakeside multiple design consultants. stone outlooks centuries old old and and plantings that that multiple design consultants. stone outlooks centuries plantings with Il Sereno, somebody hadhad thethe nous to let horizontally as well as skyward. with Il Sereno, somebody nous to let runrun horizontally as well as skyward.

Urquiola loose andand offer herher carte blanche so that TwoTwo magnificent vertical gardens and and a a Urquiola loose offer carte blanche so that magnificent vertical gardens no no oneone stood in the wayway of her vision, herher attention living green sculpture werewere created by my stood in the of her vision, attention unique unique living green sculpture created by my to detail andand herher ubiquitous style. friend andand mentor, Patrick Blanc.

TheThe Parisian to detail ubiquitous style. friend mentor, Patrick Blanc.

Parisian It’sIt’s no no surprise thatthat condé nast putput thisthis on its withwith green hair,hair, green fingernails and and surprise condé nast on its botanist botanist green green fingernails Traveller hothot listlist in 2017, andand it was ranked number green jeans whowho grewgrew bored withwith botany Traveller in 2017, it was ranked number always always green jeans bored botany three in the Traveller readers’ choice awards of the wanted to paint the world green has done so so three in the Traveller readers’ choice awards of the andand wanted to paint the world green has done bestbest hotels in Italy. in the most elegant ways. hotels in Italy. in the most elegant ways.

Urquiola hashas designed for for some of the most Il Sereno is an I truly hopehope you you Urquiola designed some of the most Il Sereno is experience an experience I truly important Italian furniture andand design houses in in come to enjoy.

If you lovelove nature, appreciate important Italian furniture design houses come to enjoy.

If you nature, appreciate thethe world, including B&B Italia, kartel, Bmw andand northern Italian cuisine, yearn for luxury and and world, including B&B Italia, kartel, Bmw northern Italian cuisine, yearn for luxury Louis Vuitton.

I first noticed herher work at the the the patience to digest some of the Louis Vuitton.

I first noticed work at the havehave patience to digest some of sensuous the sensuous milan Furniture FairFair 10 years ago,ago, andand some of of designs Uquiola has has presented in this beautiful milan Furniture 10 years some designs Uquiola presented in this beautiful herher products areare alsoalso featured in new York’s youyou willwill not not be let a new como products featured in new York’s hotel, hotel, be down. let down. a new como moma.

She’s among a rare fewfew whowho are are ableable to to awaits andand it is itinisevery wayway serene. moma.

She’s among a rare awaits in every serene. m a nm S IaonnSa Un S TarUaS LT Iraa. c . aoUm . a 25 Io Lo I am. c U

25

Dolly Lenz

Local aspect

witH jEnny lEnz

cH a rtEr k Eck cr a mEr

Scott Keck there is a huge shift to urbanisation globally as economies prosper and socioeconomic status allows non-urban dwellers to make that shift. not just from country areas, but within cities, as those at the outer metropolitan edge seek to move closer to a greater diversity of facilities, including retail, entertainment, educational and employment opportunities. in new york the High line has been an outstanding success. this innovative, transitional use of an earlier resource in a more relevant role can be duplicated in urban precincts globally. as a resident of melbourne and a real estate analyst of 50 years, i applaud the concept of inner-urban greening and the greater provision of safe recreational space. the “squeeze” in melbourne may not yet be as great as in new york, but perhaps it is important to proactively consider this need. the concept is simple to understand, not expensive to develop and will be appreciated by future generations. melbourne, with its history of parks, is considered a “green city”. the balance may be presently acceptable, but with melbourne’s population destined to double in the next 35 years, the provision of open space will dwindle in relative terms. there is the other positive of enhancing the value of real estate. in melbourne there is a strong correlation between real estate values and proximity to such community/ public resources. a similar relationship can be found between residential properties and nearby beaches and water views.

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m a n H at ta n

Taking the high road the news that melbourne is contemplating the development of its own version of new york city’s High line Park is creating quite a buzz among those who consider the High line one of new york’s biggest success stories. while it is difficult to quantify the increased value it has generated for the west side of manhattan, the overall consensus is that the project has revitalised the surrounding neighbourhoods and greatly surpassed even its most optimistic expectations. the High line is a linear green public space located on an elevated train track in the meatpacking and chelsea neighbourhoods of manhattan. repurposed from a disused and dilapidated rail spur, the 1.45-mile-long (2.3km) park has anchored the development of multi-billion dollar commercial and residential property. the area along the park has been dubbed the “starchitecture district” because of newly built condominiums designed by a growing list of celebrity architects. due to the influx of restaurants, galleries, retail establishments etc., the surrounding neighbourhoods have acquired a previously unknown bustling vibe. the estimated 4 million visitors who experience the park annually are a testament to the area’s status as a “magnetic public destination”. completed in three separate sections over an eight-year period, the project cost $us150 million ($204 million) to build but the real estate tax revenues generated by the increased property values have eclipsed the initial investment. a 2014 study estimated the additional tax revenue to date at $us900 million, not including the tourist dollars generated by millions of additional visitors to the area. the High line area’s median residential price has eclipsed that of nearby neighbourhoods, rising as much as 75 per cent over the rest of downtown manhattan. Even when compared to downtown’s priciest neighbourhoods, such as the west Village, tribeca and soHo, the High line area has more than kept pace with these coveted enclaves. the next test for the High line’s impact on real estate prices will be the nearby development of Hudson yards, the largest private real estate project in us history. set to be completed in 2024, and built by mega real estate powerhouse stephen ross and his related companies, it will include several buildings designed to connect directly with the High line. Enhancing access to green spaces is an integral part of the development plan, a feature which will no doubt be on the mind of future residents. the lesson to be learned from the High line’s success is the value a partnership between government and private entities can create for the benefit of all. in this case private individuals provided the vision, execution, management and sheer determination while government cleared the legal hurdles, including the rezoning of the neighbourhood, to make the project what it is today. Hopefully melbourne’s High line will achieve similar success to its new york counterpart.

Dolly Lenz heads New York-based Dolly Lenz Real Estate and last year sold more than $US500 million worth of luxury US and international homes. dollylenz.com

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Vivien Yap Perth’s ambitious waterfront development Elizabeth Quay has brought new life to the city and created a desirable urban lifestyle in and around the precinct. it has been celebrated for its urban renewal of a once sleepy area, proving a popular meeting place for the urban chic of the wa capital and helping to turn some waterfront properties into priceless commodities. the lifestyle precinct created includes lots of places to eat at night, and festivals are held there too. this is definitely the current cool place to go out. a lot of money is being poured back into the city with recent infrastructure dollars. there is only a handful of waterfront properties in prime positions near the quay and their owners tend to treasure them. Elizabeth Quay certainly adds a wow factor to south Perth and the city fringes.

l a ing r E a l Estat E , P ot t s P oin t

Vicki Laing sydney’s Hyde Park has been an important feature of the southeastern perimeter of the central Business district since 1810 when governor macquarie dedicated the space for recreation and amusement. it formally became public gardens in the 1850s, having been a racecourse and boxing venue. over the decades offices and hotels locked up its border. But there has been a recent transformation into a luxury residential precinct. leading the way was the college street, darlinghurst, development, the residence Hyde Park, completed in 2011. designed by scott carver architects, the 24-storey, 87-apartment complex hugs the park. i inspected it in 2007 and my first impression was of the beauty of the green canopy overhanging Hyde Park, along with the architectural elegance of the anzac war memorial. architect doug southwell transformed an ugly government building by utilising the park view for every apartment. since off-plan sales in 2008 we have secured resales for double the price. many other complexes have since emerged, all in great demand due to the proximity to the arcades, cafes and stores across the park.

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Gold Coast jonat H a n c H a nc EL L oR

he gold coast apartment skyline is set to be reshaped with exciting new luxury abodes. while cookie-cutter apartments designed for investors have dominated in recent years, this new wave of apartments is seeing developers appreciating the demand for home-style abodes. there are high-rise developments approved and under construction stretching all the way from southport to coolangatta, but concentrated between main Beach and mermaid Beach. some line the beach, others are inland and some are also emerging on its low-rise islands. during the post global-financial crisis recovery, as land acquisition and construction costs rose, many developers built smaller and smaller apartments to keep the purchase price lower.

But current buyers are demanding larger floorplans, says andrew Bell, who leads Ray white surfers Paradise. “we are acutely aware that an ever-increasing percentage of buyers are baby boomer downsizers who are looking for quality of life and a great alternative to the large homes they have lived in for many years,” he says. “many have shied away from apartment living because developers have tried to prevent significant price increases by building smaller apartments.” chevron one, destined to become chevron Island’s first high rise, will ascend to 40 levels and offer 247 apartments wrapped in wave-inspired architecture. the project is the first on the coast by Elias jreissati’s melbournebased Bensons Property group. chevron one has been designed to offer owner-occupiers a “refreshing change” from the usual apartment developments of the gold coast, which have prinicpally targeted the investor and holiday markets, say selling agents Bensons and Ray white Projects. the marchese Partners-designed project on stanhill drive, 500m from the heart of surfers Paradise, is scheduled for completion in early 2020. chevron one’s four-bedroom apartments are priced from $2.95 million. the kitchens will be designed by celebrity chef shannon Bennett, and in a nod to the emerging $365 million arts and cultural precinct just over the nerang River at Evandale, chevron one will incorporate two art exhibition spaces into its recreational offering. closer to the beach there’s spirit, the $1.3 billion development on trickett street, surfers Paradise slated for completion in 2021. at 89 levels, Ray white projects director julian sutherland said spirit, without the spire of Q1, would be the tallest residential tower on the gold coast. developed by chinese-backed developer Foriseland, it will stand on a three-level podium, soar 297m and comprise 479 apartments. there will be three different levels of residents’ amenities throughout the building, featuring gyms, pools, saunas and day spas, plus private dining and a cocktail lounge. three floors of recreational areas will house high-end retailers, providores and michelin-star restaurants. the dual-level penthouse, which is set to hit the market with $40 million hopes, comes with 1800sq m of living space. andrew Bell says spirit was offering significantly larger apartments throughout “with all the quality of life considerations that retiring baby boomers want after decades of hard work”. “typically, one-bedroom apartments are the size of what you get in a two-bedroom apartment in most other buildings and similarly for all other apartments in the building,” Bell says. “spirit will make other buildings look very ordinary.”

Bell says he’s seeing local gold coasters, interstate australians 30

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and overseas buyers. there has been “tremendous interest” out of nsw and Victoria, and also regional Queensland. northcliffe Residences has been marketed as the first absolute beachfront residential-only opportunity on the gold coast in more than a decade. set for completion early next year, the $111 million beachfront northcliffe terrace, surfers Paradise project will comprise 75 one- two- and three-bedroom apartments. there will be a two-level penthouse and four whole-floor sub-penthouses. the penthouse was snapped up off the plan in 2016 by new Zealand technology entrepreneur nick gordon, the retired chairman of australasian Zintel group, and his wife andrea. they’re set to move from their nearby three-bedroom subpenthouse in the artique apartments. spanning 600sq m of indoor and outdoor living space, the apartment has four bedrooms and a private rooftop pool and entertaining terrace. Its $6 million price was the highest off-theplan price paid since the gFc, reflecting $10,000 per square metre.

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Clockwise from opposite: Exterior detail of of Clockwise from opposite: Exterior detail Chevron One; Naia penthouse; exterior andand living Chevron One; Naia penthouse; exterior living area of Northcliffe Residences, Surfers Paradise; area of Northcliffe Residences, Surfers Paradise; thethe swimming pool at Spirit swimming pool at Spirit

The TheGold GoldCoast Coastisismore morethan thanjust justa apremium premiumtourist touristdestination. destination.Growth Growthand anddemand demandisis driven drivenbybymigration, migration,with with16,000 16,000people peoplearriving arrivinglast lastyear year––the thehighest highestnumber numbersince sincethe theGFC GFC one of of thethe three-bedroom sub-penthouses in in thethe northcliffe one three-bedroom sub-penthouses northcliffe Residences hashas also sold forfor more than $4$4 million. sydney-based Residences also sold more than million. sydney-based architecture firm cottee Parker designed thethe project forfor thethe Qingjian architecture firm cottee Parker designed project Qingjian group with features including a residents-only beach club, complete group with features including a residents-only beach club, complete with gym, steam room, sauna, lounge, dining room and surfboard with gym, steam room, sauna, lounge, dining room and surfboard storage. the club’s infinity pool and terrace flows directly to to thethe beach. storage. the club’s infinity pool and terrace flows directly beach. there’s also thethe jewel project at surfers Paradise, being developed there’s also jewel project at surfers Paradise, being developed byby Yuhu group. when marketing kicked offoff in in 2015 it was credited Yuhu group. when marketing kicked 2015 it was credited as as being australia’s largest beachfront hotel and residential complex, being australia’s largest beachfront hotel and residential complex, thethe gold coast’s first absolute beachfront location in in 3030 years. gold coast’s first absolute beachfront location years. jewel’s three crystalline towers will stand across 130m of of direct jewel’s three crystalline towers will stand across 130m direct beach frontage and host 512512 residential apartments, a 169-suite, beach frontage and host residential apartments, a 169-suite, five-star hotel and three levels of of basement parking, as as well as as five-star hotel and three levels basement parking, well retail and culinary precincts. retail and culinary precincts. the gold coast new apartment market recorded 278278 unconditional the gold coast new apartment market recorded unconditional sales in in thethe march 2018 quarter, according to to thethe latest research byby sales march 2018 quarter, according latest research property consultants urbis. this was a 33 perper cent increase onon thethe property consultants urbis. this was a 33 cent increase previous quarter’s sales, and thethe highest sales rate in in 12 12 months. previous quarter’s sales, and highest sales rate months. urbis suggests thethe sales were buoyed byby thethe commonwealth urbis suggests sales were buoyed commonwealth games, as as well as as nine new project launches that equate to to more games, well nine new project launches that equate more than 1000 new apartments. than 1000 new apartments. urbis senior consultant Lynda campbell says thethe gold coast is is urbis senior consultant Lynda campbell says gold coast more than just a premium tourist destination.

“It“It is ais place to to live, more than just a premium tourist destination. a place live, work and play,” sheshe says. “the apartment lifestyle makes sense forfor a a work and play,” says. “the apartment lifestyle makes sense range of of gold coast residents, including downsizers, and quarter onon range gold coast residents, including downsizers, and quarter quarter wewe have seen owner-occupier sales come outout onon top.” quarter have seen owner-occupier sales come top.”

InIn thethe march quarter there was a rise in in thethe number of of sales of of march quarter there was a rise number sales three bedroom-plus apartments, which made upup nearly 2020 perper cent three bedroom-plus apartments, which made nearly cent of of sales. “new project launches stimulated sales in in thethe quarter, and sales. “new project launches stimulated sales quarter, and with a possible 19 19 new projects to to launch in in thethe next quarter,” says with a possible new projects launch next quarter,” says campbell. campbell.“supply “supplyhashasdefinitely definitelystepped steppedupupto tomeet meetdemand. demand. though some of of ourour other cities may have seen a slow-down in in though some other cities may have seen a slow-down sales, things areare looking sunny onon thethe gold coast.” sales, things looking sunny gold coast.” the gold coast central area recorded thethe highest quarterly the gold coast central area recorded highest quarterly sales salesrate, rate,accounting accountingforfornearly nearly6060perpercent centof oftotal totalsales. sales.ItsIts weighted average sales price of of $730,000 was thethe highest recorded weighted average sales price $730,000 was highest recorded in in three and a half years. growth in in demand is driven byby migration three and a half years. growth demand is driven migration to to thethe gold coast, with 16,000 people arriving lastlast year – the gold coast, with 16,000 people arriving year – the highest number since thethe gFc. highest number since gFc. sahba abedian, managing director of of long-time gold coast sahba abedian, managing director long-time gold coast developer sunland group, hashas tapped thethe appetite forfor design-driven developer sunland group, tapped appetite design-driven luxury luxuryhomes. homes.HeHesays saysowner-occupiers owner-occupiersareareseeking seekingoutoutthethe lifestyle, quality and craftsmanship. lifestyle, quality and craftsmanship.

Rising 44-storeys at at mermaid Beach, sunland’s 272272 Hedges Rising 44-storeys mermaid Beach, sunland’s Hedges avenue avenuecomprises comprises9696luxury luxuryresidences. residences.Rafael Rafaelcontreras, contreras,a a Peruvian architect who hashas worked in in thethe London office of of Zaha Peruvian architect who worked London office Zaha Hadid architects, helped design thethe two-storey pedestal base and Hadid architects, helped design two-storey pedestal base and communal areas forfor thethe project. the lobby features dramatic arches communal areas project. the lobby features dramatic arches and vaulted ceilings, and thethe first-floor residents’ pool and gym and vaulted ceilings, and first-floor residents’ pool and gym echo thethe shapes found in in eroded rock caves. echo shapes found eroded rock caves. marketing forfor thethe penthouse, which covers thethe entire 39th floor marketing penthouse, which covers entire 39th floor and is priced at at $6.193 million, hashas kicked off.off. comprising 650sq mm and is priced $6.193 million, kicked comprising 650sq of of open-plan living, thethe penthouse hashas four bedrooms, each with itsits open-plan living, penthouse four bedrooms, each with own ensuite, and a master suite. own ensuite, and a master suite.

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contreras Earl, hishis architectural firm with australian architect contreras Earl, architectural firm with australian architect monica Earl, received a brief to to create a spatial experience, giving a a monica Earl, received a brief create a spatial experience, giving pedestrian scale to to thethe tower and integrating thethe design into itsits pedestrian scale tower and integrating design into surroundings, as as thethe building marks a transition between thethe lowsurroundings, building marks a transition between lowrise mermaid Beach neighbourhood and high-rise Broadbeach. rise mermaid Beach neighbourhood and high-rise Broadbeach. alfresco living is is onon offer at at two offoff thethe plan naia mermaid alfresco living offer two plan naia mermaid Beach Beachpenthouses penthousesononalexandra alexandraavenue, avenue,designed designedbybytVs tVs architects with more than 90sq mm of of outdoor space. architects with more than 90sq outdoor space. the $70$70 million Vue Broadbeach, a 25-storey tower, hashas 8484 the million Vue Broadbeach, a 25-storey tower, apartments, with construction starting in in march next year.

It has apartments, with construction starting march next year.

It has two expansive penthouses and a maximum of of four residences perper two expansive penthouses and a maximum four residences floor onon a 1200sq mm sitesite at 10-12 First avenue.

It’sIt’s thethe sixth high-rise floor a 1200sq at 10-12 First avenue. sixth high-rise project forfor thethe local family developer andrews Projects butbut their project local family developer andrews Projects their first in in thethe area. first area. sales manager sarah andrews said thethe development is situated sales manager sarah andrews said development is situated about 150m from thethe beach and a light railrail station is located at at thethe about 150m from beach and a light station is located end of of thethe street.

It will also have a fully equipped residents’ lounge end street.

It will also have a fully equipped residents’ lounge and a teppanyaki grill. and a teppanyaki grill. m amnas n I os n ua su tR I aL .Icao. cmo. a I oan s taRL a mu. a u3131

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Brisbane prestige JoEl roBi nson

coveted residential record-setter has returned to the Brisbane market, which is going from strength to strength. Balaam, the luxury contemporary Hamilton home built by property developer don o’rorke, ranks among the most significant listings of the year. its price trajectory will signal just how strong the prestige market is in the Queensland capital. knight Frank recently calculated that premium Brisbane prices rose 3.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, when the city made its global debut in 19th place out of 43 of the best-performing global cities. sydney was ranked 9th best performer, with melbourne placed 10th. ray white new Farm agent matt lancashire again has the listing of the home, which fetched a suburb record $11.8 million in 2015. it has been listed by the duan family, who are relocating to melbourne. “this prized parcel of real estate is a market gem and won’t last long,” lancashire said. o’rorke completed Balaam’s build on the riverfront Harbour road dress circle near Portside wharf in 2007. He had engaged shaun lockyer to design the home, which was built from white concrete, timber and zinc. arkhefield had a hand in the interior design. it was home to o’rorke, wife natasha and their tribe of children before they moved to acreage at Brookfield. the 1035sq m three-storey mansion occupies a commanding position on the Brisbane river. it has eight bedrooms, each with a designer ensuite, a kitchen with its own scullery, a home office, a climate-controlled wine cellar and a fully equipped gym with its own sauna. the parents’ retreat has his and hers ensuites and its own private roof deck. there are six terraces in total, with the second-level pool deck and barbecue cabana met by one of the two swimming pools. the luxury amenities continue outside, where another heated cantilevered swimming pool is accompanied by a spa and outdoor bar. there are two separate gardens, a firepit, a children’s play area and crèche, and even an architecturally designed cubby house and animal enclosure on the 1610sq m parcel.

Balaam was featured in robyn Beaver’s book 100 Dream Houses from Downunder in 2008. it is one of the rare riverfront homes in Hamilton, another being owned by lorna Jane activewear founder lorna clarkson, who bought it for $10.3 million in 2010.

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Main picture and above: Balaam, a five-bedroom riverfront mansion at Hamilton designed

by Shaun Lockyer

a three-level clifftop home at kangaroo Point retains the mantle as the most expensive ever sold in Brisbane, after selling for $18.48 million last year. the vast 1445sq m split-level, five-bedroom residence has two home offices with their own board room, a soundproof cinema, gym and steam room, and a heated infinity lap pool and spa that run the length of the cliff edge. at new Farm, business tycoon Jamie Pherous, founder of the $3 billion travel group corporate travel management, recently spent $11.3 million on a vacant riverfront block of land.

He plans to build one of the best mansions in the city on the 1105sq m block on moray street sold by Jane gibson, the widow of eminent Brisbane architect robin gibson, who paid $255,000 for the site in 1986. gibson designed some of Brisbane’s best-known civic buildings, including the Queensland cultural centre at south Bank.

Hawthorne is also seeing activity, with a recent $11.1 million sale on riverfront Virginia avenue. the 2135sq m parcel comes with a mansion designed by donovan Hill. it has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two swimming

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Below: Bottom:The TheWilson Wilsonhome homeon onVirginia VirginiaAvenue Avenue Bottom:

significantmarket marketupswing upswingininBrisbane’s Brisbane’sprestige prestigeupstream upstreamsuburbs suburbssaw saw2017 2017record record AAsignificant thehighest highestannual annualtally tallyof ofriverfront riverfronthouse housesales salesininmore morethan thanaadecade. decade.AAtotal totalofof44 44 the absoluteriverfront riverfronthomes homeschanged changedhands handsinin2017 2017––the thehighest highestnumber numbersince since2007 2007 absolute

pools,aaheated heatedspa, spa,aachampionship-sized championship-sizedtennis tenniscourt, court,boat boathouse, house, pools, puttinggreen greenand andprivate private12m 12mjetty. jetty. putting Behind aa marble-columned marble-columned grand grand entrance entrance isis an an open-plan open-plan Behind kitchen, dining dining and and living living area area that that faces faces the the river. river. itit opens opens to to aa kitchen, large outdoor outdoor entertaining entertaining area area featuring featuring an an infinity infinity edge edge large swimmingpool pooland andspa. spa. swimming Each of of the the five five bedrooms bedrooms have have their their own own walk-in walk-in wardrobes wardrobes Each and private private ensuites, ensuites,while whilethe themaster masterretreat retreatalso alsofeatures featuresits itsown own and livingarea, area,gym, gym,library libraryand anddouble doubledressing dressingroom. room. living at the the rear rear of of the the property property there’s there’s another another swimming swimming pool, pool, aa at 12m lap lap lane lane pool pool with with magnesium magnesium mineral mineral water water and and aa fountain fountain 12m featurewall. wall.ititsits sitsbeside besidethe thechampionship-sized championship-sizedtennis tenniscourt courtand and feature an anoutdoor outdoorbasketball basketballarea. area. down down on on the the river river aa multi-purpose multi-purpose boathouse boathouse connects connects to to an an outdoor outdoorputting puttinggreen greenand and12m 12mpontoon. pontoon. david davidand andgarry garryPrice Priceat atray raywhite whiteEast EastBrisbane Brisbanesold soldthe thehome home on onbehalf behalfof ofarrow arrowEnergy EnergycEo cEoshaun shaunscott scottand andwife wifesarah. sarah.when when the thecouple couplepurchased purchasedthe theHawthorne Hawthorneproperty, property,they theyalso alsosecured securedthe the plans plansby bydonovan donovanHill.

Hill.the thenew newhome homewas wasfinished finishedin in2014.

2014. “we “we ended ended up up amending amending that that final final set set of of approved approved plans plans but but

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reallydidn’t didn’tchange changemuch muchof ofthe thefootprint,” footprint,”scott scottsays. says.ititwas wasmore more really abouthow howthe thespaces spaceswere wereset setup upand andthe thelifestyle lifestylewe wewanted wantedto tolive live about with our our three three boys. boys. itittook tookus usaround aroundfour fouryears, years,from fromwhen whenwe we with acquired the the property property to to when when we wemoved movedin. in.People Peopledon’t don’trealise realise acquired howbig bigthe theprocess processisisfor forsomething somethingof ofthis thisscale.” scale.” how the property property was was bought bought last last month month by by anthony anthony Yap, Yap, who who the foundedgood goodPrice PricePharmacy Pharmacywarehouse, warehouse,and andhis hiswife wifeHahn Hahnluu. luu. founded wasformerly formerlyaa1960s 1960sbrick brickand andtile tilehome home––extended extended1111times times–– ititwas andpreviously previouslytraded tradedfor for$6.85 $6.85million millionin in2010.

2010. and Placeagent agentsarah sarahHackett Hacketthas hasaahome homenearby nearbyon on1619sq 1619sqm. m.the the Place vendorsof ofthe theriverfront riverfrontestate estateare arethe theformer formerowners ownersof oforpheus orpheus vendors island, agnes agnes and and James James wilson, wilson, who who sold sold their their island, island, about about island, 80km 80km north north of of townsville, townsville, to to the the computershare computershare founder founder chris chris morris morrisin in2011.

2011. they theypurchased purchasedthe theriverfront riverfronthome homeon onVirginia Virginiaavenue avenuefor for$3.1 $3.1 million millionin in2002, 2002,aarecord recordat atthe thetime. time. in in2014, 2014,mining miningtycoon tycoongina ginarinehart rinehartbought boughther herHawthorne Hawthorne estate estate for for $14 $14 million million from from former former mountain mountain designs designs chairman chairman greg greg nunn nunn and and his his wife wife alwyne, alwyne, and and followed followed that that deal deal with with aa further further$4 $4million millionpurchase purchaseof ofaaneighbouring neighbouringblock. block.

significant market marketupswing upswingin inBrisbane’s Brisbane’sprestige prestigeupstream upstream aa significant suburbssaw saw2017 2017record recordthe thehighest highestannual annualtally tallyofofriverfront riverfronthouse house suburbs salesin inmore morethan thanaadecade. decade.aatotal totalofof44 44absolute absoluteriverfront riverfronthomes homes sales changedhands handsin in2017 2017––by byfar farthe thehighest highestnumber numbersince sincethe theheady heady changed daysof of2007 2007when when49 49were wereexchanged, exchanged,according accordingtotoestate estateagent agent days Patrickdixon dixonfrom fromdixon dixonFamily FamilyEstate Estateagents. agents.

Patrick thetotal totalvalue valueofofriver riversales, sales,including includingriverside riversidebut butexcluding excluding the apartments,rose rose32 32per percent centto to$180 $180million. million. apartments, while sales sales activity activity along along the the Bulimba-Hawthorne Bulimba-Hawthorne reaches reaches while remainedrelatively relativelysteady, steady,the theheightened heightenedactivity activityupstream upstreamofofthe the remained williamJolly JollyBridge Bridgeisismost mostnoteworthy. noteworthy. william Figtree treePocket Pocketisisaamuch-improved much-improvedhotspot, hotspot,accounting accountingfor for1313 Fig sales sales(up (upfrom fromfive fivein in2016) 2016)for foraatotal totalofof$28.115 $28.115million, million,representing representing 15 15per percent centofofthe theentire entireriver rivermarket marketfor forthe theyear. year. across across Brisbane, Brisbane, from from downstream downstream Bulimba Bulimba and and teneriffe teneriffe toto upstream upstreamwestlake westlakeand andmoggill, moggill,river riverhouse houseand andland landmarket marketactivity activity surged surged 55 55 per per cent, cent, chalking chalking up up 73 73 riverfront riverfront and and riverside riverside sales, sales, compared comparedto to2016’s 2016’stally tallyofof47 47sales. sales. the theactivity activityreflects reflectsan anapparent apparentrenewed renewedbelief beliefininthe theeconomic economic future futureof ofQueensland, Queensland,dixon dixonadds. adds.

mmaannssi o i onnaauussttrraalli iaa. c. coomm. a . auu

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Rural

Dyraaba Station in northern NSW

jonat H a n c H a nc El l or

robyn and Peter clarke have seen themselves as custodians of the the historic north coast nsw cattle farm dyraaba station since they bought it in 2008. now the couple has listed the holding, with $1.8 million expectations. the farm, in the casino district, dates from the 1840s, when it was one of the great squatter runs of northern nsw. indeed its shield-brand herd of Herefords was the largest herd of pure Herefords in the southern hemisphere. no longer on the original 80,000ha after its division under the soldier settlement scheme following world war i, the dyraaba farm now consists of 60ha and 14 paddocks. the original homestead and outbuildings, which date from the days of the Bundook and Barnes families, are lasting reminders of pioneering times.

Henry Barnes, the property's long-time stud-master, was born at low Braithwaite, cumberland, England, one of the 13 children of cattle farmer robert Barnes. Excelling in bookkeeping, mathematics and the principles of land measurement, he migrated to nsw in 1840, carrying a wholesome reference as a “practical English farmer” signed by several yeoman farmers. the clarkes have been in the beef industry for two decades, but consider themselves hobby farmers. their true interest has been restoring the historic buildings while running a few head of cattle. they operated a surveying business in Brisbane, which they sold in 2001, moving to lawgi dawes, near Biloela, to become full-time cattle graziers. they then sold that property and moved to south stradbroke island to retire.

“However, we missed the cattle and started looking around in northern nsw for a small holding on which we could build another house and run 50 breeders,” robyn clarke says. the couple had always had an interest in colonial houses, restoring a 1900 home in auchenflower and a smaller house and stables in west End, Brisbane. “we fell in love with dyraaba station the moment we first saw

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Greener pastures Dyraaba Station has been close to the hearts of many since its beginnings in the 1840s

it,” robyn says “we appreciated the quality of the axemanship and the small details that make dyraaba unique. “dyraaba station is so significant to the local district. there are many people in the local community who were born here and then went on to work at the station. it has played such an important role in the development of the regional community. we will miss the lifestyle, the serenity, the cattle calving and seeing new life. we will especially miss the locals, who are so willing to help.” the homestead, built of hand-sawn hardwoods, has verandas with views over the richmond valley. surrounded by gardens, it also has a tennis court. the charming original stockman’s cottage nestled among the ancient Bunya pines has scored a five-star rating from every guest on airbnb. the farm is home to 50 angus and wagyu cows and calves that rest under the historic fig trees after drinking from dyraaba creek. ray white rural agent Peter douglas describes the station as a “significant part of australia’s rural heritage”. “it’s one of the original settler homes, the real people who pioneered the cattle industry in australia,” he says. “it is a remarkable property, beautifully maintained by the clarkes for future generations to come. it’s a property you take into trust, as well as ownership.” douglas notes sales in the region ranged from $500,000 to $5 million in the past year. while the marketing campaign photos taken late last year show the fertile rolling paddocks, robyn clarke said that july had been the driest month in the past decade at the farm, which is 100km inland from Byron Bay. For the year to the end of july 2018, it had 876mm (around 35 inches). the previous 12 months had 1198mm. reports around the time of the neighbouring 1919 soldier settlement disposal put the annual rainfall as 1168 mm. the government’s acquisition was reported as providing 140 farm sites of around 230 acres at an average cost of £1300.

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SPONSORED CONTENT

How to downsize the right way Modern-day downsizers don’t need to shrink their entire lives to fit into a new home.

We’ve all seen the movie Downsizing.

The story of a couple who undertake a newly invented procedure to shrink down and start a new life in a “downsized” community, the choice they make triggers a life-changing experience for both. Luckily for the modern-day downsizer, we don’t have to shrink our entire lives to fit into a new home.

Melburnians are a tad luckier, with new developments, such as The Docklands

by DKO Architecture, presenting a luxe landmark of living, inspired by the timeless city on its doorstep.

According to Richard Misso, Creative Director of The Stylesmiths, while downsizing can be somewhat stressful, much like the movie, it can be the perfect life refresh.

“I feel the easiest part is looking forward to settling in and enjoying your new home and local attractions,” Richard says.

“It’s like a clean slate, detox and fresh start all in one. Let’s face it; a fresh start like this can reinvigorate one’s outlook on life.”

That is, if you do it the right way.

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MULTIPURPOSE IS KEY

When shifting your stuff, you must be smart about your new space. The new Docklands apartments are sweeping, so while you might have lots of space to play with, you still might need to create multipurpose rooms.

“A study can double as a guest room and gym, with a kitchen or bathroom doubling as a laundry and storage area,” Editor of Houzz, Vanessa Walker adds.

“Our design professionals suggest you plan well ahead of the move, making necessary changes to ensure your home is comfortable.”

Multipurpose furniture does the trick too.

“Outdoor furniture can be used indoors when additional guests arrive,” Richard says.

“Ottomans double as a coffee table, while a sofa can also be a sofa bed.”

SAY NO TO MINIMALISM

Although downsizing conjures up mental images of minimalist living, it doesn’t have to be that way.

The Docklands collection of apartments have been meticulously crafted from every angle, while still providing ample opportunity for residents hoping to inject their own sense of style across generous

spaces. “If you like layers, knock yourself out,” Richard adds. “Smaller spaces can still be beautifully layered with decorative items, walls coasted in art and charm. The key is ensuring all the items work in the space and floor panning is easy to navigate.”

Create a space that is an extension of your lifestyle, letting those soft textures, marbled patterns and organic materials be highlighted by Dockland’s spectacular harbour.

SAY YES TO CREATIVE CULLING

While you might not want to, it’s a crucial (and creative) part of downsizing.

“Make an inventory of all the stuff you no longer require or would like to shed,” Richard says. “If you have grown children, ask them if they’d like to take any belonging or keepsakes with them. Be ruthless when shedding the past and start fresh in your new home. Keep in mind, furniture from a larger home may be too bulky for your new space, so try and sell as much as you can, or donate to charity if selling items seems too daunting.”

Before the big move, Vanessa also suggests sorting out where you warn certain pieces to live in your new home, “Measure your

furniture and mark it out with painter’s tape in your place before you move in,” Vanessa adds. “This ensures your furniture doesn’t dominate your space.”

SIT BACK AND RELAX

You’ve officially moved into your new home — pop a bottle of champers and enjoy the feeling.

Whether you choose to cuddle up on the couch with a loved one, or head out for a stroll through District Docklands, a bite at Alumbra at Central Pier or a stickybeak at the first 5-star hotel to be built in Australia in 20 years, the Marriott Hotel, there’s much to explore.

Close enough to the city (but not smackbang in the middle of it), Melbourne’s equivalent to Darling Harbour has come a long way in the last 15 years, so make the most of your new energetic hub.

“Downsizing can bring with it a new sense of anticipation, excitement even,” Vanessa says. “Shed those shackles that come with a larger home, and get to know a new area closer to the action.”

Register your interest at www.thedocklandsresidences.com.au or call Mark Forytarz 0407 766 308.

Village low rise jonat H a n c H a nc El l or

v i l l agE l i F E

Keeping it local the quaint, charming suburban villages that surround the large cBd precincts in australia's capital cities have an understandable allure. instead of offering towering residential blocks, these small leafy villages are meeting the local demand from downsizers for abodes with lowrise apartment complexes. typically designed in keeping with the surroundings, they blend into the streetscape. there is likely to be an impressive lobby, though not necessarily including a concierge or the resort-style facilities that developers have embraced in larger offerings. these low-rise apartment blocks often come with ground-level retail, contributing to the liveability factor that drives property price growth in the villages. developers in melbourne are being rewarded pricewise for leaning towards ever more compact boutique apartment projects. the malaysian-backed developer Beulah international bought a south Yarra site on toorak road west with approval for a 36-apartment development. But the site was then reconfigured with just the 10 apartments designed by architect rob mills amid Paul Bangay gardens.

Fawkner House, set over three levels, has

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m a nsionaust r a l i a .c om . au

apartments with sizes ranging from 250sq m to 400sq m and priced from $4.99 million. six of the nine units have already sold, well in advance of the completion date in 2020. the penthouse, bought for $16 million by a local couple, will be combined with an apartment below, making the development now just nine apartments.

Beulah sales manager jamie Baldwin says the buyers did not want to live in a building with dozens of other people. the apartment was targeted at melbourne's wealthiest downsizers, who have found on thinking of leaving their longowned houses that there’s nowhere to go.

Baldwin says they often want a 300 to 400sq m apartment, along with a minimum three to four-car garage. “when you look, there is very little at all,” he says. damgar Property group has opted for a boutique development of four apartments on the dendy street dress circle, just off Brighton’s iconic beach. castran gilbert agent michael lang is marketing the remaining two apartments in the block, priced at $4.75 million and at $4.85 million. the garden apartment in the dendy residences, designed by jackson clements Burrows, recently sold. it has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a

This page, top: Fawkner House at South Yarra. Above: Ashton at Mosman

separate study and garaging for three cars. the 230sq m apartment sits in more than 220sq m of wraparound gardens designed by jack merlo. the dendy residences are expected to be completed in may next year. double Bay has long been one of sydney's most expensive apartment markets, and that trend continues with new luxury developments scoring record-breaking prices. the suburb’s famous yacht-dotted bay and tree-lined streets are only a 12-minute ferry ride from sydney’s cBd. double Bay’s premier apartments stretch from one hill to another, with much of the current activity occurring in the valley on cross street.

1788 residences, the suburb's latest low-rise development, is selling at premium prices. the fivelevel, $100 million sjd Property project saw immediate success on its launch. First the 180sq m penthouse sold for $10.5 million, then the near 300sq m sub-penthouse on level five – an amalgamation of two apartments – sold for $13.75 million. the penthouse equated to more than $58,000 per sq m and the sub-penthouse $46,000 per sq m. the 1788 project also saw a one-bedroom 54sq m apartment sold for $1.69 million. the Bates smart-designed block has 29 apartments, as well as ground-floor retail.

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DoubleBay’s Bay’sfamous famousyacht-dotted yacht-dottedbay bay Double andtree-lined tree-linedstreets streetsareareonly onlya a12-minute 12-minute and ferryride ridefrom fromSydney’s Sydney’sCBD CBD ferry

Above Above andand farfar left:left: TheThe 17881788 Residences development, Double Residences development, Double Bay. Left: Toga at Double Bay. Bay. Left: Toga at Double Bay. Below: Dendy Residences, Brighton Below: Dendy Residences, Brighton

1788 is slated completion in early 2020. ray 1788 is slated forfor completion in early 2020. ray white agents craig Pontey Eddie mansour white agents craig Pontey andand Eddie mansour areare handling sales of the remaining 15 apartments. handling thethe sales of the remaining 15 apartments.

Pontey says empty-nesters love new project Pontey says empty-nesters love thethe new project forfor high-end finishes prime location. its its high-end finishes andand prime location. “locals have been crying a high-end “locals have been crying outout forfor a high-end boutique development years.,” boutique development likelike thisthis forfor years.,” he he says. “new developments of this class and says. “new developments of this class areare fewfew and between.

1788 ensures never need to leave farfar between.

1788 ensures youyou never need to leave double – it’s right here – and expense double BayBay – it’s all all right here – and nono expense been spared creating finest luxury hashas been spared in in creating thethe finest luxury living in our village.” living in our village.” sjd much confidence double Bay sjd hashas so so much confidence in in double Bay that it bought next door and plans that it bought thethe sitesite next door and hashas plans forfor another 21 apartments. another 21 apartments. just along cross street, toga sold just along cross street, toga sold all all 13 13 apartments in its project the Hunter in 2016, with apartments in its project the Hunter in 2016, with going owner occupiers $50-million 10 10 going to to owner occupiers in in thethe $50-million development, designed jPr architects. development, designed by by jPr architects. theluxury luxuryaddress addresswillwillbe beanchored anchoredby by the boutique retail operations, with a mix cafes, boutique retail operations, with a mix of of cafes, restaurants wine bars a nod double restaurants andand wine bars in in a nod to to double Bay’s European character.

Bay’s European character. across double Bay, 17 established apartments across double Bay, 17 established apartments have traded at $5 million more, especially have traded at $5 million or or more, especially onon harbourside gladswood gardens, well thethe harbourside gladswood gardens, as as well as as knox streets. onon BayBay andand knox streets.

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mansour notes notes that that downsizers downsizers were were mansour interested in the right layout – even reconfiguring interested in the right layout – even reconfiguring proposed layout reduce shared walls thethe proposed layout to to reduce shared walls – – rather than chasing a cheap price. rather than chasing a cheap price. “downsizers areare looking looking forfor limited limited “downsizers interaction with their neighbours,” says. “the interaction with their neighbours,” he he says. “the buyers want privacy, easy living, and quality buyers justjust want privacy, easy living, and quality fixtures and fittings. fixtures and fittings. “they also value quick access in and of the “they also value quick access in and outout of the building to get to where they want to be.” building to get to where they want to be.” while says there’s usually a slowdown while he he says there’s usually a slowdown in in activity high-rise tower developers when activity forfor high-rise tower developers when thethe market lulls, lulls, boutique boutique project project developers developers market experienced consistent demand in all markets. experienced consistent demand in all markets. “there a certainly a number dedicated “there is ais certainly a number of of dedicated low-rise developers who specialise village low-rise developers who specialise in in thisthis village vibespace,” space,”he hesays, says,adding addingthat thatzoning zoning vibe restrictions keep skyline sympathetic. restrictions keep thethe skyline sympathetic. shapingthethefuture futurein inmosman mosmanarearenew new shaping developmentsononspit spitroad. road.sun sunProperty Propertyis is developments developing the ashton, which takes name developing the ashton, which takes its its name from rich history mosman is famous from thethe rich artart history mosman is famous for.for. designed design group, the ashton designed by by a+a+ design group, the ashton comprise14 14apartments apartmentsand andis isduedueforfor willwillcomprise completion in in early early 2020.

2020. two-bedroom two-bedroom completion apartmentsstart startat at$1.495, $1.495,while whilethethethree three apartments bedders begin at $2.395. bedders begin at $2.395. “ashtonmarks marksa anew neweraerain inmosman’s mosman’s “ashton redevelopment,” ray white lower north shore redevelopment,” ray white lower north shore agent justin kurenda says, calling complex agent justin kurenda says, calling thethe complex “the very picture of intuitive urban regeneration”. “the very picture of intuitive urban regeneration”.

“Buyers,in inparticular particulardownsizers, downsizers,areare “Buyers, demandinglarger largerthree-bedroom three-bedroomapartments apartments demanding within these developments they transition.” within these developments as as they transition.” kurenda says these larger apartments need kurenda says these larger apartments need to to “lock and leave” maintenance. be be “lock and leave” lowlow maintenance. “the lower north shore experienced “the lower north shore hashas experienced a a spike demand boutique offerings,” says. spike in in demand forfor boutique offerings,” he he says. “downsizers havethetheflexibility flexibilityto tosellselltheir their “downsizers have homes a premium price, relocate into a luxury homes at aatpremium price, relocate into a luxury apartment and have extra money available apartment and have extra money available at at retirement. find a large percentage buyers retirement. wewe find a large percentage of of buyers in favour of fewer amenities asbrings it brings cost areare in favour of fewer amenities as it thethe cost of strata down. of strata feesfees down.

“Buyers comment that they want “Buyers comment that if if they want to to dodo exercise they a gym. if they want to go exercise they willwill joinjoin a gym. if they want to go forfor a swim they head down to the beach.” a swim they willwill head down to the beach.” m am na s inosn an ua st l iaal. icao. c mo. amu. a u39 39 io urs a tr

NSW North Coast

1 Rocky Point Road, Lennox Head

roby n i ronsi dE

Beyond Byron The tourist drawcard is not the only coastal magnet in northern NSW. There are other contenders looking increasingly attractive to buyers 40

m a nsionaust r a l i a .c om . au

or the residents of byron bay, brunswick Heads represents the lifestyle they used to enjoy. the tiny nsw coastal community of fewer than 2000 people is experiencing huge growth in demand for property – much of it coming from the larger town to their south.

Jaded by the “superstar” popularity of byron and a 96 per cent increase in house prices in the past five years, residents are looking to neighbouring communities for value and lifestyle. as a result, property prices in brunswick Heads grew at more than double the rate of those in byron bay in the year to June, at 27.4 per cent compared to 13.2 per cent. the median value of a relatively modest brunswick Heads house now stands at $1.23 million – twice as much as the $614,183 median value five years ago. lennox Head, ballina, casuarina and kingscliff are also benefiting from the byron factor, seeing strong price growth in a welcome turnaround from the difficult years after the global financial crisis. mcgrath ballina/byron bay agent braden walters says it took five or six years for prices to return to what they were before the gFc, with byron bay the first to take off. now the vendors of a modest two-bedroom apartment are asking just shy of $1 million, and an unrenovated 1970s-style beach house is on the market for between $3.5 million and $3.85 million. “we find people are being priced out of byron,” walters says.

“Particularly over the past 12 months, byron has grown massively and people have started creeping out [to neighbouring towns] because of the value for money.” according to byron shire real Estate partner todd buckland, long-term byron residents of are also now looking beyond it. “byron bay isn’t on the nose, but there are a lot of people who’ve been there a long time,” he says. “it’s definitely shot through the roof in popularity, and property prices have followed. that’s created another source of buyers for brunswick Heads.”

He says the little holiday village has no grand houses, but that’s about to change as savvy investors and developers buy into it with the intention of knocking over existing properties and rebuilding. “the value of an average-sized block of land is $1.4 million, and if you have an 800sq m block you’re looking at between $1.8 million and $2.3 million, depending on the development potential,” says buckland. “it can’t really go the way byron bay has gone. there’s virtually no scope to have backpacker-type accommodation here; there are very few licensed premises and there are no nightclubs.” to the south of byron, lennox Head is also feeling the flow-on effects. corelogic data shows 11 per cent growth in median house values in the year to June to $937,574, compared with $621,201 five years ago. walters estimates about 70 per cent of purchases in the town last year were made by sydney or melbourne-based investors, with the rest from byron bay or the gold coast. He says much of the interest is coming from sydney’s northern beaches because lennox Heads has become “what byron was 30 or 40 years ago”.

“People see lennox Head as a quiet little surfing town with amazing beaches and lifestyle,” walters says. “you can still buy something good for $1 million. that should get you a three- or fourbedroom house a block or two back from the beach. For a beachfront property, you’re looking at $2 million or $3 million.”

Just south of lennox Head, at 1 rocky Point road, boulder beach, the asking price of $6.975 million will buy 4000sq m of beachfront land, four lavish bedrooms, a study and nursery, plus a chef’s kitchen and large pool. “best of all, it’s only 10 minutes from ballina airport and 20 minutes from byron bay,” walters says.

Housing developments under way just outside the town would only make property in the village “more sought after”, he adds. there’s even a growing number of residents who live in lennox and commute to sydney three or four times a week from the airport. “there’s a joke that it’s quicker to live in lennox and fly to sydney then to drive [into the cbd] from avalon,” walters says.

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Concierges

n Valentine’s day earlier this year, the bouquets kept arriving at one luxury apartment tower in sydney, with some suitors sending 100 roses to their beloved. the building’s concierges tried to store the mass of flowers anywhere they could – on top of the desk, on the floor, in the storage space – until the women arrived home in the evening. delighted, the recipients shared photos of their extravagant gifts with friends on social media. as australians travel more often and experience the hospitality available in the best hotels around the world, we are expecting more once we get home. and a growing band of concierges are key to providing for the every need of luxury apartment residents, from receiving oversized packages to booking their favourite restaurants. a concierge service is now seen as standard for new luxury apartment buildings, with developers trying to outdo each other in the quality of service they provide, especially for bigger complexes. “we talk a lot about the ‘hotelisation’ of apartments now and that is a strong trend,” mirvac general manager of Victoria Elysa anderson told Mansion Australia. “there is a real expectation from customers, particularly at the higher end.” mirvac’s the melburnian was among the earliest projects in australia to include a concierge service about 15 years ago, inspired by five-star hotels, while the new the Eastbourne will also include a concierge offering, anderson says. Residents will be able to have their online shopping delivered to the front desk, which can also arrange services such as dry-cleaning or dog walking, and coordinate resident events, book clubs or walking groups.

In sydney, Iwan sunito’s crown group has installed concierges in its skye project in north sydney and at V in Parramatta. the service has a focus on safety, ensuring that not just anyone can walk into one of the buildings, explains crown group sales director Roy marcellus, "especially for downsizers, because downsizers don’t want hassles. they want everything safe for their kids, and if their grandkids and come to visit them they want the concierge service to greet them.” as well as collecting oversized bunches of flowers on Valentine’s day, providing restaurant recommendations and helping with moving in, the concierge has a diplomatic role. the service allows residents to book shared facilities, such as the theatrette, gym, library or function room, allowing them to avoid conflicts. their watchful eye can monitor unauthorised airbnb-ing. sandra tannous, concierge at V by crown group in Parramatta, says that the best part of her job is the variety.

“Every day I have different people with different requests – it is never boring,” she says. “I like to talk and meet new people, and I get to do that for a living.” tannous recalls helping a resident who had locked both herself and her mother out of their apartment before she had finished

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getting dressed. “she had to quickly ask her mother if she could borrow her pants to go to the concierge desk, leaving her poor mum in the hallway in her undies. that’s a great mum!” the James Packer-backed hotel and casino company crown Resorts is preparing to replicate its hotel concierge service in its new high-end sydney apartment project, one barangaroo. the group’s chief concierge, Preston Forsyth, who is based at crown towers melbourne, will be training the concierges for the luxury building, where billionaire investor Packer has bought a $60 million apartment.

Past requests from hotel guests have included arranging christmas for a family visiting from britain – buying and wrapping gifts for the children, delivering a christmas tree to the room and arranging a picnic for them to enjoy at the beach. another family asked for $2000 worth of Easter eggs and the concierges hid them around the room to create “the most luxurious Easter egg hunt you could have ever had”, he says.

Forsyth wants the new recruits to get to know the residents so that they can provide personalised service – and to get to know sydney itself.

“our concierges will be opening the doors of the city,” he says.

“It’s not simply enough to know what Italian restaurants are in town, you also need to know the ambience of a restaurant. Is it a date restaurant or is it good for a family? what are the options? does it have vegan options, does it have gluten free?” the idea is to help residents relax and take away some of the decision-making about where they will spend their weekend, Forsyth says. If the concierge knows a resident likes a casual dinner on Friday after work but fine dining on saturday plus brunch one morning, they can pre-arrange it. candidates need to be able to listen to residents well and also understand their tone of voice to come up with the best solution. knight Frank director of sales and marketing Erin van tuil says buyer reaction to the concierge offer at one barangaroo had been positive, with those who had travelled globally holding high expectations for the level of service. “we look at luxury in terms of having more time,” van tuil says.

“People are extremely busy, and how can we cater for and provide something that is meaningful to purchasers? we believe a six-star concierge service absolutely responds to that buyer requirement.”

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Fishermans Bend, Southbank A new landmark to start the test of time.

While it was once known as Melbourne’s industrial hub, the inner urban neighbourhood of Southbank is now considered anything but. Boasting tiny art shops, eccentric street performances and quirky wine bars juxtaposed with fine dining haunts, sweet dessert stations and swanky hotels and developments, this cultural haven has fast-moved from somewhere you’d visit, to somewhere you’d move to.

A precinct that is easily accessible by tram, train and even boat (yep, water taxis stop regularly outside of Southgate), this emerging hot spot allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while getting a boost of good ol’ Melburnian culture.

Whether strolling through the Arts Precinct, sipping sunset cocktails at Ponyfish Island or simply moving to the area, here’s why Southbank’s a top spot for work, rest or play.

SOMETHING NEW By 2050, Fishermans Bend, Australia’s largest urban renewal project will be home to approximately 80,000 residents and provide employment for up to 80,000 people.

With numbers like that being tossed around, it’s safe to say the area’s on the rise, flourishing with opportunities to live, work, learn and invest.

Recently released plans of the project promise a boost in transport connections, homes, parks, schools and services for the growing community, becoming a global benchmark for a smart, sustainable development. Consisting of five precincts across two municipalities – the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillips – the project will also connect Melbourne’s CBD to the bay, making the action a little more accessible.

LOCAL LEARNING While some of you might not be at that stage yet, buying a place with your partner might bring you that little bit closer to primary school fees and college pamphlets.

In 2020, the University of Melbourne will build a new, seven-hectare campus at Fishermans Bend as part of its almost $1 billion commitment to creating a world-class engineering school for the 21st century. The new campus, just five kilometres from the city and within the old General Motors Holden Site, will be the centrepiece of Australia’s leading precinct for advanced manufacturing, design, engineering and technological excellence.

According to Professor Iven Mareels, Dean of the Melbourne School of Engineering, the new campus will create entrepreneurial leaders

and transformative technologies for the future.

“The Fishermans Bend campus will initially enable 1000 engineering and IT students and academics to collaborate with world-leading local and international companies across industrial sectors as diverse as transport, energy, food, mining, infrastructure and water.

“We have a proud history of innovation in this country. The new campus will give our researchers and students opportunities to work alongside industry, and pursue rich careers right here in Australia.”

A LIFE OF LUXE If you’re looking to move to Southbank, luxe living is not limited to a five-star stay. Normanby Melbourne, a prestigious inner-city enclave, plans to bring the very best of Melbourne living in one sculptural spot. Perfect for first home buyers or investors, this emerging suburb is also in close proximity to the CBD and education hub mentioned above (perfect for families looking to settle in a single spot).

If you’re visiting from interstate, Southbank is also home to one of the world’s most prestigious hotels. Crown Towers Melbourne boasts the most iconic fine dining restaurants, internationally acclaimed shopping and iconic bars, oozing prestige from the moment your

feet touch the foyer floor. The Langham, a second sanctuary with sweeping vistas of the Yarra River, is yet another special spot for that weekend away or solo spa stay.

SO MUCH TO DO (AND EAT) Foodies be warned; Southbank promises to please the fussiest of eaters. From the homage to NYC with a grilled pastrami sandwich at Left Bank Melbourne to the dangerously spicy dishes at Long Chim, this foodie trail is home to a global feast like no other. Notable mentions include the French-style charcuterie at The Deck Southbank, the infamous dessert wall (complete with Farmhouse cheese island and flowing chocolate fountain) at Melba and the impeccable Tagliolini with spanner crab handmade by Rosetta’s resident sfoglina.

Once you’ve filled your belly with bountiful dishes from all over the globe, get your cultural hat on with a walk around the National Gallery of Victoria (home to 70,000 artworks, including Rembrandt, Rene Magritte and Picasso), before checking out Melbourne’s highest public vantage point – The Eureka Tower.

A limited collection of apartments coming soon. Register your interest at www.

normanbymelbourne.com.au or call Mark Forytarz 0407 766 308.

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j u dy gA R L A n d ’ s bE Ac H HousE

Over the rainbow cynthia Harrison-wallach, a television and documentary filmmaker who counts the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz among her favourites, followed her own yellow brick Road, the pacific coast Highway, to discover her dream house in malibu, california. the beachfront cape cod was once home to judy garland and her husband, Vincente minnelli.

Los Angeles residents Harrison-wallach and her husband Lewis wallach, president and cEo of a real estate investment firm, purchased the fully renovated beach house for $us3.545 million ($4.81 million) to use as their summer home. “not only was it incredibly charming but the history behind it was phenomenal,” says Harrison-wallach. “judy garland was just such a legend, and to think we’re in her home – it’s an honour.” she has already begun decorating with small Wizard of Oz-inspired touches, such as pillows inscribed with the words “there’s no place like home.” the house was built in 1947 and garland lived there in the late ’40s and early ’50s, according to Russell grether, who handled the listing with tony mark, both of the mark & grether group, part of compass. It was renovated in 2013 by the previous owners.

At 114 sq m it’s a relatively small property whose soaring ceilings give it a spacious feel. “It’s really a jewel box of a little property,” says grether. It has three bedrooms and 2-½ bathrooms. the master bedroom has a private sundeck. the living room features a two-sided transparent fireplace. there’s a wraparound Ipe wood deck, and a private entry courtyard allows direct access to the sandy beach. m A R EE sA n IcosI A

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A grade II-listed house in surrey, England, converted from an early 18th-century farm building has hit the market for £3.5 million ($6.2 million). dubbed the Hop House as it was built for bagging and drying hops produced nearby, the property includes a 681sq m main residence and a detached, two-bedroom cottage. A separate structure known as the mini Hop features a four-car garage on the ground floor and a gym and offices on the upper level. the farmhouse was turned into a residence in 1870 by noted Victorian architect Richard norman shaw and further modernised by the present owners, according to the listing posted by savills last month. the 10ha of landscaped land features manicured gardens, a heated pool, barbecue terraces and space for a pony paddock.

cEo of financial services firm colony s2k steven kantor has put his triple-size condo at manhattan’s trump world tower on the market for $us39 million ($53 million). kantor purchased three neighbouring units on the same floor of the united nations plaza building between 2010 and 2011 for a total of $14.65 million. the resulting combined apartment spans 697sq m and has 16 rooms, according to the listing with Liza nematnejad and sandy scheinman of douglas Elliman. It has 3.7m high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and views of central park, the East River, the world trade center, the Empire state building and the chrysler building. there’s also a den with a bar and a movie screen, a gym, an office, two kitchens, a personal art gallery and a temperature-controlled wine room with central park views.

fA ng bL oc k

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Station to station Jonat H a n c H a nc El l or

Holding pattern the cattle industry in australia is as old as colonisation. two bulls, four cows and a calf, bought in cape town, arrived on the First Fleet in 1788. cattle were among the least represented livestock on Hms sirius – there were 44 sheep, 19 goats, 32 hogs and 87 chickens. convicts let them wander off from camp cove, with the herd spotted again seven years later near the nepean river. there were 60-plus head grazing. australia’s first native-born millionaire was a cattle baron, James tyson, who ironically was born at cowpasture, near camden. the pastoralist was dubbed a millionaire long before he died intestate in 1898, with his fortune beginning after he set up a slaughteryard and butcher’s shop on the Bendigo gold fields in the 1850s. on his death he had 2.1 million hectares and a reputation that warranted an obituary poem by Banjo Patterson. in today’s terms, it was a vertically integrated business. in 2002, his biographer Zita denholm wrote that there were “tyson cattle shifted by tyson drovers riding tyson horses from tyson breeding property to tyson fattening country”. today, cattle is a $17 billion industry, with around 25 million head across the country.

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one of the biggest cattle-grazing landholdings is now for sale. the $1 billion empire of australia’s largest private beef producer, consolidated Pastoral company, has been listed by its private equity owner, British group terra Firma capital. it was started by the late kerry Packer in the early 1980s when he teamed up with cattlemen ken warriner, Peter Baillieu and tony chisholm as joint owners of newcastle waters in the northern territory. a year later Victoria river downs, which became known as the Big run, was added. cPc runs 400,000 cattle over 16 properties spanning more than 5.5 million hectares, mostly in the territory, but with large holdings in Queensland and western australia. since James Packer sold the cattle stations in 2009, reaping around $425 million, terra Firma has invested $125 million. while global players seeking an enhanced position in the worldwide beef trade will pursue the portfolio in one line, a split is also possible. since march, knight Frank and goldman sachs have sought institutional buyers, and with strong local inquiry for individual

properties, the sydney rural agent meares & associates is also fielding interest. the value of the individual properties ranges from $10 million to more than $150 million. its listing follows the unwieldy sale of the s. kidman and co empire, which took two years to complete in 2016. there were concerns about 11 million hectares of australia’s farmland falling into foreign – particularly chinese – hands. australia’s richest woman, gina rinehart teamed up with chinese minority shareholder shanghai crEd to secure the largest individual private landholding on the planet. rinehart says the beef industry should be 10 times bigger. longevity is a hallmark of many of the industry players. the australian agricultural company (aaco), which dates from 1824, was established as a land development company with the assistance of the British Parliament’s crown grant over 400,000 hectares in the Port stephens area. the publicly listed aaco owns more than 7 million hectares – around 1 per cent of australia’s land mass. rinehart is challenging aaco’s 500,000 biggest herd on earth status.

British billionaire Joe lewis is the major shareholder of aaco, which these days specialises in grain-fed beef and wagyu beef. recent rain has come at a good time at clifton Hills station (pictured) in south australia, coinciding with its listing through colliers international in conjunction with rural Property and livestock. the 1.6 million hectare holding was established in 1878 on the Birdsville track in the state’s far north-east corner. the vendor was recently mustering the final paddock to confirm cattle numbers to be included in the sale. clifton Hills comprises three main country types: sandhill country; flood country; and its stunning stony red country, which acts as a tin shed when it comes to rain but also contains quite sweet country in places. tyson always maintained the money was nothing. “i have been fighting the desert,” he wrote. “that has been my work and i have won. i have put water where there was no water and beef where there was no beef. i have put fences and roads where there were no roads. nothing can undo what i have done and millions will be happier for it after i am long dead and forgotten.”

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U3 'HILTON PARK' HILTON TCE NOOSA HEADS 3

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It's love at first sight at 5-star Hilton Park, the beneficiary of acclaimed architect Frank Machia's vision, where postcard-perfect 160° mesmerising views from the north-facing penthouse-style apartment, take centre stage.

Features jetty, boat mooring and shared pool. $2.25M Agent Robyn Reid 0418 144 484

36-38 The Peak, Cairns QLD

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This truly unique & magnificent architectural masterpiece establishes new benchmarks in quality, design & lifestyle in an exceptional location.

Dramatic 3 metre high entry doors open into a spectacular pavilion styled residence, surrounded by reflection ponds and finished with appointments that will impress the most experienced eye for detail.

Utilising the very best materials sourced from around the world, the luxurious finishes throughout are reminiscent of an exclusive resort. Seamless indoor/ outdoor living captures the true essence of the northern Queensland lifestyle spanning across multiple levels whilst evoking sophistication, comfort and a natural affinity with the ocean and city views that expand beyond the tops of the immediate tree line.

Other features include; • Smartstone surfaces, soft-close drawers and Bosch appliances including an induction cooktop.

• Low E Glass with a 7star Thermal performance energy rating Invisible drainage systems • Designed & built by Neocon Homes For Sale:

Offers over $2m

Inspection:

by Appointment

Contact:

Lisa Costa 0432084781 lisa@omnicorp.com.au

www.omnicorp.com.au

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Interiors Mansion AustrAliA

Thinking space

Ingenious cottage conversion

Keeping it low

A medley in monochrome

Danish modern

Furniture founder Anton Assaad

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A joint project for two partners in architectural design allowed them to play with shared ideas about volume and space, and the relation between outside and in.

The result is a highly intelligent reworking of a modest home into the embodiment of sophisticated living

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Opposite: Highbury Grove ’s master bedroom Above: The reworking of the small home’s interior was all about playing with volume and creating a sense of space Below, from left: One of the two bathrooms; the home’s Federation facade; the courtyard between the living space and the master bedroom anchors the home; the ultra-modern kitchen Following page: Where inside and outside collide

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he great experiment. that’s how architects gilad ritz and Jean-Paul ghougassian describe the house they transformed in inner-city melbourne. the Federation cottage was in dire need of modernisation, and the fact that it belonged to ritz meant it was the perfect opportunity for the pair to test – and showcase – their skills on a residential project as they had just started their own practice. “when Jean-Paul and i set up this studio we were working mostly on hospitality projects and we were looking for a residential one,” ritz tells Mansion Australia. “so this came along and i thought it was a great opportunity for us to work on something for the studio. and to do projects in this field you need to show them [clients] what your work looks like, so having a house gives them a greater understanding of what you cannot see in a render or a drawing.” ritz, a trained architect, met ghougassian, who studied interior architecture and design, through a mutual friend in 2006. they pretty soon realised they “spoke the same design language” and got along really well. “we seemed a natural fit so we thought, let’s give it a go,” says ghougassian of the decision to set up their own studio after they both did a few years at established practices in melbourne. they were both interested in designing from the inside out, creating spaces for function first, whether it be a space to live in, work in or dine. “interiorised sensibility,” is how ghougassian describes it. “often what we do is try to start from the inside of the space and how the space and volume works.” the pair also like mixing both interior and exterior spaces. “it was a great way for us to experiment,” says ritz of the house he bought and they both remodelled, which they called Highbury grove. “the floorplan is only 180sq m but it doesn’t feel that small – it feels larger – because of the volume we created.” the pair’s redesign saw it go from a two-bedroom cottage with a shed in the backyard to a three-bedroom, two-bathroom modern home anchored by a courtyard in between the living space and the master bedroom. “i think Highbury was the precursor to the work we are doing now,” says ghougassian of the house. “we did not have that kind of design ideology before Highbury but we found that once we started designing it it was very present in other projects we were doing at the time. it helped kick it all off.”

For ritz, having himself – and his wife laurelle – as a client surprisingly did not make the design or construction process any easier. in fact it was more difficult, as he had to persuade the person who knows him best of the validity of his plans. “when you are talking to a regular client they romanticise the fact that they are talking to an architect, but talking to my wife – she could see through all of that,” he says, laughing. “You couldn’t turn on any tricks or make her feel special for coming to see an architect. so i had to be very convincing, and it was actually a great training ground to talk about your work in a convincing way. it was a good thing because we had our toughest critic.” the hard work and persuasion paid off, with both ritz and his wife loving the design of their home. “You asked if there was pressure and of course there was,” he says of being the first client of his own studio. “But there always is in any project you are doing, and it was fun. and you are learning from what you are doing.” He says his favourite part of the house is the courtyard, and the fact the master bedroom and living area both look out over it and can be seen through the courtyard. “it is one of those beautiful moments where the exterior and interior collide in one space,” he says. “when i am lying on my bed in the master bedroom, with the doors opened up fully and the breeze coming through the courtyard, it actually feels like i am outside.”

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Pure materials 100% recycled

Celebrating 50 years and beyond Watch our original stories at vola.com 060 Round head shower

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VOLA Design Pty. Ltd. - Tel.: +61 402 372 480 - sales@vola.com.au - www.vola.com

Etc. sHireen nol an

1.

Shadow play 3.

Muted and restrained, shades of grey eschew the shouting and opt for the understated. These streamlined pieces say all that needs to be said

2.

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Etc.

5.

1. s o f a sydney sofa in flexible moulded polyurethane with removable fabric cover and metal feet. from Poliform 2. t a b l e bamba table comprising metal tabletop and base composed of a circle and two metal rods. from Hub 3. c H a i r back-wing chair with solid ashwood frame and ‘invisible’ upholstery with leather trim. from space

4. a r m c H a i r aran armchair with hand-stitched and piped bolster that acts as an armrest. in aniline leathers, textured wool-based fabrics and natural timbers. from cult 5. l i g H t surface sconce ambient light cast in two pieces in rumble-finished cast gunmetal that will oxidise and form a patina over time. from studio Henry Wilson

6. l a m P borne beton grande 1952 outdoor and indoor floor and table lamp designed by le corbusier. in concrete with integrated leD board. from mondoluce 7. t a b l e lago Vertigo table with lacquered oak top and transparent glass leg that creates a sense of asymmetrical suspension. from misura 6.

7.

4.

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Anton Assaad f ou n dE r , gr E at da n E f u r n i t u r E

bl a inEy nortH, intEr ior dEsignEr

dEsign HEroEs

my home is full of scandinavian furniture, but it’s a mix of vintage and new, and my old pieces are all very special and quite classic in their styling. i also have some very special pieces my grandfather made. this always brings me to my art. my grandmother was a painter – we grew up around her work and most of my childhood was spend on a farm in gippsland. my bedroom was my grandmother’s studio and storage room for her bottled fruit and conserves, so i was surrounded by her love for painting and food. i can still smell the room; it was a place to disappear in a slumber like nowhere else. i think the serenity in that room is something i subconsciously try to create at home for myself and my three kids. we had been searching to find the perfect sydney showroom location for some time. we wanted a spot with a genuine sense of community and luxury. after much searching, we found a rundown three-storey building on oxford street in paddington and we knew immediately that with the right touch we could create our new home in sydney. the showroom was designed by us, in close contact with friend and long-time collaborator nicky lobo. we asked nicky to help us create “a voyage through the forest”. it takes clients from an urban environment and transports them to the woodlands of scandinavia and the lights of the north. the ground floor is dense, filled with rich carpets and leather details, while the top floor is light and airy, as though one has risen above the trees.

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pHotogr a pHEd by JosH robEnstonE

Tadao Ando, I.M. Pei & James Turrell

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