Mansion Australia November 2017

Mansion incorporating news from Dow jones’

AustrAliA

Endless summer

Life can be a beach

Plus

12-page Interiors section Year in review

Record-breakers around the country

Jamie Durie

Mid-Century Modern’s timeless appeal

Boundary riders

Designing for a regional setting Issue 13 November 2017

Offering...

Charmed Lifestyles

Noosa’s Little Secret It’s renowned Little Cove, an exclusive pocket where the ocean meets rainforest, where sophistication meets relaxation, and one of Noosa’s most prestigious houses waits for its new owners to enjoy living so very close to beautiful beaches, National Park, shops and restaurants.

6 Allambi Rise, Little Cove

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A large allotment with lush gardens including a six star poolside entertaining and BBQ area provides a tranquil and private environment.

The motoring enthusiast can park at least 12 cars in the basement complete with elevator access, and at the end of the day enjoy a spa or sunset drinks on the roof terrace.

This is a genuine craftsman built home with every detail of the design, materials, and construction executed to the most exacting standards.

OFFERS OVER $5M Web ID: 2522

Tom Offermann 0412 711 888

NOOSA’S HOME OF PRESTIGE PROPERTY 5449 2500

offermann.com.au

Offering... Exceptional Outcomes

Coveted Beachside Belle at Sunshine Imagine waking to the sounds of the surf,seeing the fiery vermillion orb rise over the Pacific Ocean, grabbing the board, kids and dog, opening the side gate and being steps from the sand. It doesn’t get any better.

Connecting to the beauty of the national park-like gardens and surrounds, the very private landholding of peerless stature has views to make your heart beat faster. Affectionately designed and constructed to every possible high standard, there’s a definite aesthetic sensibility with layers of natural light and colour, textures both slick and sumptuous, terraces and decks inviting the outdoors in, plus lofty ceilings on each level of the casually sophisticated,yet laidback imposing family residence or holiday home.

NOOSA’S HOME OF PRESTIGE PROPERTY

36 Seaview Tce, Sunshine Beach 5 4 2

AUCTION 21ST JAN / ONSITE / 12PM Web ID: 2832

Roark Walsh 0437 447 804

5449 2500

offermann.com.au

Offering...

A Fresh Lifestyle

Enduring Love Affair On Noosa Waterfront

23 Cooran Court, Noosa Heads

The bold entrance statement of artisan-crafted Ned Kelly-inspired, copper-look gates, is only the entry to a timelessly elegant yet unpretentious and totally chic waterfront residence.

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From the foyer, with a collection of art and bespoke furniture, eyes are immediately transfixed on the scenery ahead. Easy to understand why. Perfectly positioned on a 21m frontage of a wide curve of the waterway, with a north-easterly aspect, there’s a larger-than-usual jetty for entertaining and more importantly mooring the boat, a pontoon for the dinghy and of course your own beach for safe swimming and water sports. And lets not forget fishing and catching mud crabs.

AUCTION Well-established pandanus shade the expansive deck where outdoor living is de rigueur, 9TH DEC / ONSITE / 12PM all year round.

Web ID: 2821 Slip on the thongs and get into a holiday mode every day.

John Wastell 0400 646 042

NOOSA’S HOME OF PRESTIGE PROPERTY 5449 2500

offermann.com.au

Offering...

New Horizons

Extraordinary Bespoke Modernist Architecture On Noosa Waters 19 The Promontory, Noosa Waters This striking modernist residence, ingeniously designed by Frank Macchia, is set is an exclusive cul-de-sac waterfront location on The Promontory. It captures the imagination and scales the heights of bespoke architecture, design and art to feed your spirit.

Sophisticated and airy it has exposed beams in its vaulted ceilings to conjure light from the north south roofline and enhance the vast living and dining spaces. The house effortlessly achieves the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living extensively using steel, slate and wood, and simultaneously caters to social and private spaces. From the expansive rooftop terrace, to a 25m boundary hugging lap pool to a stand-alone studio or guest wing this house has an intimate connection to the waterfront and a bold face to one of the best streets in Noosa Waters.

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AUCTION 20TH JAN / ONSITE / 1PM Web ID: 2827

Nic Hunter 0421 785 512

NOOSA’S HOME OF PRESTIGE PROPERTY 5449 2500

offermann.com.au

Contents Editor’s letter

Shaun Lockyer-designed home at Boonah, Qld, page 24

1 1 l u x u ry

Gothic mansion, bathing boxes, Thunderbirds house, braidwood garden

1 6 cov E r story 2 0 ja m i E d u r i E

mid-century modern’s unique aesthetic never gets old Privacy is at a premium for buyers of prestige property

22 dolly lEnz

bush and regional architecture wrests beauty from the challenges

24 out tHErE 26 finE linE

Holiday homes are increasingly morphing into the main residence

thomas Hamel rejoices in a renewed appreciation for classic design

29 yEar in rEviEw

2017 hit record high notes in most australian capitals

32 littlE luxuriEs

apartments where you can even get your dog washed

34 winE notEs

if you can’t own a vineyard, a home cellar is the next best thing

3 6 m a n s ion G l oba l

scottish castle, Groucho’s pad, margot fonteyn’s former home

3 8 bac k PaG E

Queensland’s legendary sanctuary cove hasn’t lost its shine

44 intEriors

a coogee makeover balances privacy with breathtaking views

4 8 P rod u c t

a roundup of luxe decor highlights to finish the year in style

50 my stylE

interior designer blainey north would like to look into your eyes

nExt issuE:

february, 2018

o n t H E c o v E r beachfront villa at albatross avenue in mermaid beach, Queensland. the relaxed Gold coast enclave is a popular escape for brisbane residents

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Mansion AustrAliA

Editor turi condon Contributing editor jonathan chancellor Interiors editor david meagher Art director shireen nolan Writers rosanne barrett joel robinson milanda rout Chief sub editor deirdre livolsi Picture editor christine westwood Advertising craig manning tel. 61 2 9288 3699 craig.manning@news.com.au

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 november 25, 2017

walking along the sand and gazing at the homes spilling onto the beach is a well-worn australian holiday pastime. in a matter of weeks, beach houses will be overflowing as family and friends arrive for the summer break. many of these properties are being used more and more during the year, as owners make their holiday home more permanent and keep a small bolthole in the city, writes jonathan chancellor. the rising cost of buying and maintaining a holiday home, along with advancing technology, are seeing near-city holiday destinations like Portsea and sydney’s northern beaches occupied for more of the year. back in the capitals, 2017 saw price records broken. the fairfax family’s $71 million sale of their long-held mansion Elaine in sydney’s double bay to young rich lister scott farquhar and his wife kim jackson eclipsed the previous top price struck for james and Erica Packer’s la mer, which changed hands for $70 million in 2015. in brisbane, a clifftop home at kangaroo Point sold for $18.48 million, outpacing the previous record of $14 million achieved in 2014. and in melbourne’s toorak, mowbray, the home of marina darling and her husband anthony, sold for around $40 million – well above the previous highest price of $26.25 million. jonathan chancellor looks back on the year and notes that eyes will now turn to the latest big-ticket properties, including singaporean businessman ck ow’s vaucluse mansion, which could well see records tumble. building in country australia has its challenges, but also its rewards. rosanne barrett talks to architects about designing in areas prone to bushfires but in breathtaking rural settings, or with wild weather but amazing views, and finds they are delivering innovative and elegant solutions. meanwhile, jamie durie examines midcentury modern architecture, the pared-back style that captured the imaginations of Hollywood stars from bob Hope to steve mcQueen, and featured in the bond film Diamonds are Forever. its epicentre was at Palm springs but its influence has spread around the world, including to australia, and is evident in the open plan and clean lines of homes still popular today. in our interiors section, an incredibly steep block in sydney’s beachside coogee with little privacy challenged its architect, writes milanda rout. but the block has stunning views and the design went on to win an australian institutue of architects national award. we hope you enjoyed Mansion Australia this year and look forward to again stepping inside the country’s most prestigious homes in 2018. we wish you a relaxing summer break and look forward to returning in february.

Turi Condon Editor

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Luxury

Woodburn, one of Tasmania’s cosy country homes, has been listed for sale. The historic home, on the banks of the Coal River in Richmond, north-east of Hobart, was built in the 1830s.

Featuring convict stone footings, the Georgian-era home was recently extended and restored. Its original architectural features are now blended with contemporary designer interiors.

Woodburn was once known as Yew Tree Cottage due to the 3300sq m gardens featuring the oldest Irish Yew in Australia. It dates back to the early days of the neighbouring St John’s Catholic Church.

The four-bedroom home has 300sq m of living space over two levels, and English wallpapers, timber dados, fireplace mantels and barn doors lend extra charm.

Unique Estate’s listing agent Dominic Romeo is expecting more than $1.8 million for 52 St Johns Circle.

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an innovative home sloping down burleigh Hill at burleigh Heads is set to break the record for the Gold coast location. the house, designed as if floating, is the work of architect Paul uhlmann. the marketing, through sophie carter agent Ed cherry, dubs it the Gold coast’s most talked-about home. built by mactech constructions builder nick mcdonald, the three-level home is mostly timber, enhanced with matte black and copper. the first level is dedicated to guest accommodation while the top level contains the master suite, which opens to a private deck with soaking tub. the main living areas and a sunken lounge with fireplace sit on the middle floor, where sculptured timber framing showcases the views. the pool is located at the rear of the home as uhlmann wanted to maximise the forward entertaining space.

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Luxury

an impressive home on the Yarra river at ivanhoe has just hit the market with $8.8 million hopes. the bushland riverfront property is on nyorie court, a small cul-de-sac of just five residences. only one home in the north-east melbourne suburb has sold for more – larnoo, a riverside road property designed in homage to Frank lloyd wright’s Fallingwater, fetched $8.9 million in 2013. riverside road notched up the suburb’s first $1 million sale in 1990. the nyorie court offering is on a 4440sq m sloping parcel. resort-style amenities include a tennis court, a 25m pool, and a freestanding two-level pool house. the home is a collaboration between architect lindsay davis at Garner davis architects and landscape designer robert boyle. it has a soaring facade of natural stone, framed by terraces and water features. the opulent main bedroom suite comprises a gym, study, dressing room, and ensuite with sauna. marshall white boroondara agents antony woodley and kathy malcolm are marketing the home.

morninGton pEninsul a

br iGH t on bE ac H

Fine pedigree

Victoriana

pasadera, the 46ha mornington peninsula equestrian estate with vineyard thrown in, has been listed for sale by motorhead walter “rusty” French, a partner in v8 supercars team prodrive racing australia. the shoreham property previously belonged to horseracing identity Graeme little, who ran the pines stud from the estate. pasadera has $13.75 million to $15 million hopes through rt Edgar Flinders agents michael parker and Holly longmuir. its stately manor, built in the late 1980s, has seven bedrooms, seven living areas and a housekeeper’s quarters. the established vineyard planted to pinot and chardonnay was first harvested in 1990. nearby, bagnols, a country house set in paul bangay-designed gardens, recently sold around a year after hitting the market with $7 million-plus hopes.

to own a brighton beach bathing box, you have to own a home in the melbourne bayside suburb. the 82 bathing boxes that line the beach surged in price last year, with a newly built version selling for a record $326,000. the boxes, typically only 12sq m date back to the 1860s, when the increasing popularity of sea bathing clashed with victorian-era prudishness. the latest listing, box 60, is expected to fetch between $270,000 and $297,000 at its december 2 auction by marshall white agent barb Gregory. the first box traded at auction in 1999 for $58,000. they hit $200,000 for the first time in 2007.

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St Corantyn, a six-bedroom sandstone Gothic mansion overlooking Adelaide’s Victoria Park, has sold for $4 million after just under a year on the market. Initial hopes were for $6 million-plus.

Vendors Martin and Gill Williams bought the home for $802,888 in 1993. They found the right buyers in Catcon constructions executive director Steven Mouren and his wife Rebecca Maund, who have extensive experience renovating historic homes.

Steve Meins of Ouwens Casserly Real Estate sold the property.

Originally named Eothen, it was built by architect George Soward in 1891 for Charles and Eliza Hornabrook, licensees of the York Hotel in Rundle Street.

In 1928, it was bought by Sir John Lavington Bonython, prominent in South Australian politics and journalism and editor of The Advertiser. He renamed it St Corantyn.

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RIVERFRONT Positioned on an expansive 1,115m2 of absolute riverfront allotment, this residence is an expression of unrestricted family living.

DUTTON PARK 9 Borva Street

INSPECT Contact agent

Free flowing spaces connect with defined living areas, providing the separation and space to accommodate families. At the heart of the 787m2 home, a designer kitchen integrates the best in culinary design. There are five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the master bedroom encompasses a considerable portion of the upper level.

Oversized outdoor entertaining spaces extend each level and offer a prime position to soak up the serenity of the relaxing river views. Excellent private schooling options include Somerville House and St Ita’s close at hand.

Walk to the CityCat and University of Queensland and the CBD is a mere 10 minutes away. For more stunning visuals and floor plans visit judygoodger.com

5 BED 4 BATH 3 CAR + POOL

eplace.com.au

FOR SALE Judy Goodger 0438 767 377 Ben White 0414 647 582

Luxury

adelaide restaurateur derek Zappia sold his sky-pad home in adelaide’s Glen osmond in very quick time. built in 2012 by dc architecture’s damian campagnaro, the futuristic home has obvious science fiction inspirations – a Star Wars storm trooper watches over the front entrance. it has been snapped up after just two weeks on the market by a local developer, who paid within the $790,000 to $869,000 price uidance through nick Ploubidis at lJ Hooker. the buyer is looking to expand the one-bedroom home.

Zappia paid $825,000 for the Thunderbirds-style property in 2014 after it had appeared on the abc series Dream Build, which showed that cherise collins had the house built around her desired garaging for her vintage 356 Porsche. br a idwood

Garden revival Historic braidwood property mona Farm, in the nsw southern tablelands, has been listed after a large-scale restoration took it to new heights. it is being offered by the entrepreneurial rose deo, who has lined up events such as sculptures by the lake during her tenure. the gardens date back to the 1820s, when the property was settled by british navy medical officer dr thomas braidwood wilson. its western section was resumed to form the town of braidwood. the property was then bought by the maddrells in 1845, who gave it the name mona – Gaelic for the isle of man. deo says she is most excited about the full restoration of the gardens, which were inspired

by English landscaper lancelot capability brown. they had won Belle Magazine’s garden design of the year award back in 2003, after then owners Greg and kerry schneider planted more than 4000 trees and built a five arch-stone Palladian-style bridge to span mona’s scenic lake. it comes with an 1890s homestead and a 1900s coach house used by cobb & co. the former coach house now serves as separate luxury guest accommodation comprising three bedrooms and three bathrooms. the stables, which date from the 1860s, were converted into a marble-tiled, 7000-litre plunge pool for guests. a self-contained cottage looks over the gardens and the lake, and a fully renovated woolshed serves as a function centre. there’s an olympic-sized dressage arena and a 20m sand round yard adjacent to the stables. knight Frank Prestige residential agents deborah cullen and richard sholl are marketing the estate, which they describe as one of australia’s most iconic rural properties.

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w H i t s u n d a Y wa t E r s

Coveted vista whitsunday waters, a newly renovated home long considered one of Hamilton island’s premier properties, has hit the market for the first time in 20 years. the north-west facing home was built in 1997 then rebuilt eight years ago, with a renovation undertaken just two years ago. set just off whitsunday boulevard, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom house spans more than 800sq m across two levels, with an oversized wraparound veranda making the most of the panoramic vista. inside, dark wood louvres surround each window. outside, there’s a lagoon-style freshwater pool and cabana on the 2000sq m parcel, along with a one-bedroom, one-bathroom caretaker’s cottage. the listing, through wayne singleton at Hamilton island real Estate in conjunction with unique Estates, comes with two golf buggies – a necessity for the car-less island. the asking price is $6.7 million, which includes all of the contemporary furniture. the property has been securing $1650 a night in the holiday rental market, according to singleton. whitsunday waters joins the list of Hamilton island trophy homes on the market. currently, no city limits, southwinds, Jasmine House, Point blue and Papillon are all listed for more $3 million each.

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A world-class harbourfront location

For Sale

Deceased estate - 2/56 Wolseley Road, Point Piper

Auction on site December 2nd at 1.30pm

Bed 3 Bath 3.5 Car 2

Inspection

Set on Australia’s most exclusive peninsula, this expansive 315m² whole floor waterfront apartment is one of just three within a tightly held boutique building. Gazing over idyllic Double Bay to the city skyline, it presents an address of immense space and privacy, with potential to further enhance. Comprising three ensuite bedrooms, vast entertaining, direct lift access, double garaging and communal gardens with a pool.

Contact

Wednesday and Saturday 11:00-11:45am

Ken Jacobs 0407 190 152 ken@kenjacobs.com.au Carys Adams 0423 761 781 carys@kenjacobs.com.au

Stor y by jonAT H A n c H A nc EL L oR

Here comes tHe sun* No longer content with the occasional escape from the city, owners are increasingly taking up year-round residence in what were once held as holiday homes. Being able to retreat to an idyllic setting – often while retaining an urban bolt-hole – means the commute is worth it

*little darling 16

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Clockwise from left: Boomerang Clockwise from left: Boomerang Drive, Boomerang Beach; view Drive, over theBoomerang beach fromBeach; the view over the beach from the property’s rear; laid-back rear;with laid-back alproperty’s fresco dining a coastal al fresco dining a coastal view through thewith tuckaroo trees view through tuckaroo trees.

Below: Villa onthe Albatross Below: Villa on Albatross Avenue, Mermaid Beach (also Avenue,on Mermaid Beach (also pictured the cover) pictured on the cover)

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ur coastal towns will soon become frenetic as the christmas holiday crowd descends. but estate agents have detected a trend toward more owners staying on throughout the year. buyers are making these indulgent holiday homes their primary residences, while maintaining a small bolthole up in town.

“The shift is on,” Rob curtain at Sotheby’s mornington peninsula says. He suggests it is occurring due to the rising cost of acquisition, changing work practices and lifestyle choices.

At Sydney’s palm beach, Lj Hooker agent peter Robinson sees it too. “There has been a shift from holiday home buyers to buyers planning to use beach properties as permanent homes,” he says. “we have had a number decide to make a lifestyle decision to commute to work and enjoy the beach lifestyle. other buyers have sold on the north Shore or Eastern suburbs, bought a townhome closer to the cbd and then have their main home here.”

They are not just the retiring sea-change set.

The shift is only just starting, with increased anecdotal sightings of property property-owners owners putting out the garbage bins throughout the year, which overlays data from the recent recent last last census. census.

Robinson doesn’t believe the the second-home second home land-tax land tax imposition has influenced the trend towards the beachside primary residence.

“The decision to have a permanent residence here is more a lifestyle decision and based on values rising in other areas of Sydney against the peninsula,” he suggests. palm beach has seen a subdued 2 per cent annual growth in the median price over the past decade, compared with the likes of woollahra’s 8 per cent, according to researcher coreLogic.

“For those lucky enough to have something smaller in town or elsewhere, it’s probably just a tax shift,” curtain says. christie’s International agent ken jacobs suggests, however, that the higher the price the less likely there are permanents. He subscribes to the theory truism that two hours from the cbd is pushing the bounds of a commutable weekender location. jacobs’ latest offering at at boomerang boomerang beach beach on on the thenSw nSwmidmid north coast, some 280km north of Sydney, is a three-and-a-half hour drive from the city.

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Top: Brook Crescent, just off Relph Avenue, Portsea Above: The home offers views of the fairway and the bay

“it is holiday home heaven,” Jacobs says, in the tradition of seasonal occupation, christmas, Easter and school holidays. the 2016 census night saw just 30 per cent occupancy. the boomerang beach property is made up of two homes, dubbed the big House and the white House, complete with a lookout podium amid the coastal tuckeroo trees. the offering, through Jacobs and colleague darren curtis, exudes the charm long associated with the laid-back beachy ambience. it is a quick freeway drive from brisbane to millionaires’ row on the Gold coast, where brisbanites dominate mermaid beach weekenders along Hedges and albatross avenues. interstate and regional Queensland owners make up the remainder. “our buyers generally have a house and business in brisbane so spend weekends at their Gold coast beachhouses,” todd curran at curran Prestige says. the two prestige streets have had a tug of war over bragging rights as to which is mermaid beach’s ultimate millionaires’ row.

Hedges avenue has had three sales above $5 million this year. only one of them was a home, however, the others being a vacant land parcel and a knockdown rebuild. last year, albatross avenue made national headlines when tidemark, the luxury beachfront owned by former billabong director scott Perrin and wife rachel, sold for $25 million. bought by melbourne-based toy manufacturer manny stul, the 30-plus room home was designed by bayden Goddard around a central infinity pool on a 2830sq m beachfront parcel. it features a home theatre, huge wine cellar and 11-car garage. curran says mermaid beach has a quieter, less touristy feel than much of the Gold coast. “the brisbane buyers want to get away from the busy crowds,” he says. “mermaid beach is the first suburb south of broadbeach so it’s quite central to dining precincts, but far enough away to be able to relax.” curran is marketing a 2008-built nobby’s beach villa with six bedrooms and five bathrooms. a rooftop terrace with 22m lap pool crowns the four-storey beachfront. there’s also a rooftop spa and bar. a lift runs to the terrace from the basement garage.

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Brisbanites dominate Mermaid Beach weekenders along Hedges and Albatross avenues.

Interstate and regional Queensland owners make up the remainder it last traded for $5.35 million in 2009 when it was bought from multi-millionaire Gold coast figure ken lacey. “this beachfront villa is truly in a league of its own,” curran says. beachfront homes are always popular, he adds: “who doesn’t want to live on the beach?” curran calculates that recent beachfront sales reflect price growth of around 30 per cent since early 2015. north towards noosa, tom offerman real Estate agent luke chen suggests the area’s proximity to brisbane also sees a high mix of city buyers keen for its “relaxed pace of life, clean air and safety”.

Above: Palm Beach, attracting more than retiring sea-changers Below: 36 Seaview Terrace, Sunshine Beach

Top: 14 Bass Street, Flinders, on the Mornington Peninsula.

Above: The ocean view towards Phillip Island

chen and roark walsh are marketing 36 seaview terrace, sunshine beach, a luxury home a few doors down from the listing of tennis champion Pat rafter. designed by architect Emily mcGuire, it has doors that slide away to maximise the ocean and beach views. the property goes to auction on January 21.

Front-row positions on seaview terrace are premium offerings, with tom offermann and Eric seetoo seeking $18 million-plus buyer interest for the rafter home, the priciest beachfront currently for sale across australia. ilyuka, the $26 million Portsea mansion sold in 2010 by computershare co-founder michelle o'Halloran to brw rich lister John Higgins, remains the nation’s priciest beach house sale. the shift to primary residences still has a way to go. in Portsea, the number of occupied homes on census night sat at 186 out of its 1400 dwellings (compared to 159 five years earlier), but curtain argues buyers can sell for $7 million in melbourne and pay just over half that for the same quality of accommodation on the peninsula. curtain is marketing two homes designed by peninsula architect stephen akehurst, including a five-bedroom Portsea offering in the coveted golf course location, just off relph avenue. the brook crescent home was built with a gable-roof to capture fairway and water views. there’s also meroo, marketed by curtain and danielle vains as “akehurst brilliance in Flinders heartland”. only 18 months old, the blue-shuttered, two-storey, five-bedroom Hamptons-style home comes with an elevator that connects the garden living zone to the upper-level balconied space with ocean views. curtain would love to have more of these classic timber beach houses – and also some of those elusive clifftop properties – to sell. akehurst’s own home in Flinders is for sale through chantal Hooper at chantal Hooper & associates. lower lower steading comes with terraces, loggias and a wood-burning pizza oven. akehurst says he has always had an affinity with the peninsula. “i have always been an out-of-town kind of guy and when i started working 30-odd years ago, and could afford to buy a house, i bought my first house in the Flinders area. after a little while i rebuilt my house in what is now referred to as the Hamptons style and slowly people started coming asking for something that wasn’t a glass box.”

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Jamie Durie

m i d - c En t u ry modEr n

when architecture became art, when interior spaces were crafted as carefully as the exterior, it gave birth to a heady new form that produced some iconic design. the mid-century modern movement had its origins back in the 1920s, and while its pared-back, single-level simplicity meant it was easily overlooked by most, the discerning buyer found pure treasure far beyond location or merely a listing price. this was an architectural revolution, and anyone who was lucky enough to get their hands on a piece of it or, better still, commission one of the handful of masters to create one, was truly blessed – and cursed – with a lifelong obsession with this design vernacular i like to call midcentury madness. by the time the 50s rolled around, a bold new take on architecture had been established. it was a courageous interpretation of the way we use our homes, with ambitious open rooms, floor-toceiling glass and soaring eaves that matched the creator’s confidence with a cantilevered consummation never before attempted. it was a time of reflection and change. as a society, we were compelled to challenge convention, scrutinise method and audit resources in order to offer a more honest form of engineering and a subtle menu of understated opulence. this was realised by only a handful of creators with the discipline and perception to mould moments by design. these masters could see themselves in the space, the competition between them so fierce that it birthed a compelling new language through pure innovation. it was time for a more considered approach. the scent of prosperity eminent in this style seemed to attract a savvy few in their moments of ascendancy, and they sought out the handful of masters who could help them keep up with the Joneses. names such as richard neutra, william cody, John lautner, stuart williams (“where i brought the desert into architecture, cody brought 5th avenue into the desert,” said williams) and donald wexler, to name a few. “in post-war architecture, there was a feeling of no fear,” wexler said in april, 2015, not long before he died. “Just go after it, try, and develop new

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things. at the time, the economics guided the simplicity of the design.”

Palm springs is the epicentre of this aesthetic, as film stars and entertainers of the 30s, 40s and 50s held contracts in Hollywood that wouldn’t allow them to be more than 120 miles away from their projects. they all put their money in the hands of a chosen few architects, who were given briefs that had a lot to do with amplifying the “good times” and showing off their clients’ individualism, style and prowess at parties and functions captured by iconic american photographers such as slim aarons and Julius shulman. the period became so renowned that the photographers themselves became celebrities and the subject of documentaries. shulman could name his price with these architects, as they relied on his discerning eye to make their work sing in print so that it could be admired in the way it was intended. one of my favourite documentaries is Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman, and if you’re keen to see his work in print, pick up his complete works by taschen. shulman died at the age of 98 in 2009 – he was still shooting in the days leading up to his death. among his greatest triumphs were the photographs of lautner’s Elrod house, featured in the bond film Diamonds Are Forever. i have visited and photographed the house several times. a sculptural piece of finely crafted concrete perched on the edge of a cliff on south ridge, it is just steps away from bob Hope’s lautner masterpiece, adjacent to steve mcQueen’s abode and high above sinatra’s pad, designed by stuart williams, which still contains the singer’s recording equipment. oh, and you can rent it for the weekend, as i did. if you choose to see all of this in person, i would recommend visiting Palm springs during modernism week. you need to get in fast for next year (it begins on February 15), as access to most of the open homes has already sold out. my favourite hotel is the Parker by designer Jonathon adler, who started his career in ceramics. be warned, though: once you’ve had a taste of this design, you’ll find it hard to look at your home in the same way again. you’ll be constantly

Top: House by William Cody in Palm Springs.

Above: Lautner’s Elrod house, top, and Frey House II. Below: Pettit + Sevitt Lowline B in St Ives, Sydney

thinking of ways to mimic the masters, or even own a piece of their history yourself. it’s no surprise that (as in the us) we now have real estate agents who specialise in this style of architecture. “mcm architecture is everywhere – magazines, film and tv, billboards – and has its own universe on instagram and Pinterest,” says marcus lloyd-Jones, director of modern House Estate agents. “when the most influential homewares brand in the world, ikea, promotes the qualities of mid-century design, you know they are meeting a demand. “the ultimate expression of this demand for simple, elegant design is our houses. Perhaps we might see fewer mcmansions after all.” if you fancy a little mid-century modern design porn, visit modernHouse.co to find gems in our own backyard. my dear friend tim rosso (of merrick and rosso), a fellow mid-century buff, has a fantastic live show featuring iconic homes here in oz, and an instagram account called @modernister. “interest in modernist architecture is on the rise because beyond the very clever design elements that the greats of the mid-century utilised, people relate to the sense of optimism that is at the heart of the movement,” he says. “i think modernist buildings lift us up, pull us by the heartstrings and make us feel good about being human beings.” mid-century modern has played a huge part in shaping my design career. my home in la is a classic 1952 example i have lovingly restored. my partner and i spent hundreds of weekends in Palm springs with friends scouring open houses and soaking up every design decision made back then by the masters, who left behind a labyrinth of design language for us all to admire. i even got to celebrate my 40th birthday a few years back in the iconic william Holden house by Hugh kaptur, followed by brunch in the william cody house (robert redford’s favourite), then owned by my friend, menu engineer Gregg rapp. these designs were crafted carefully over time. they teach all of us the importance of creating homes that connect with nature, and deliver excitement and opulence in a disciplined, measured and honest way that make them truly democratic.

t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | nov E m bE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

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Above and top: 520 West 28th Street in Chelsea, and below, the 70 Vestry project

P r i Va t E l i V E s

Real estate confidential a typical buyer’s search for the “right” property normally begins with a wish list starting with the “must-haves” and ending with the “wouldn’t-it be-nice-if” features. the list usually begins with a desirable location, minimum number of rooms and baths, open views and outdoor space, and finishes with myriad desirable lifestyle amenities. not surprisingly, a luxury buyer’s wish list is much more extensive than that of the average buyer, especially in the “must-have” category. the affluent are less willing to compromise on what they want and are also less sensitive to cost considerations. one item on the rich and celebrity wish list that has been gradually making its way toward the top is the issue of privacy. affluent buyers, to varying degrees, have always been publicity shy when it comes to their personal affairs, but the level of concern with privacy has never been more acute than it is today. when it comes to their real estate purchases, the rich are going to ever greater lengths to hide their identities. in fact, in a recent article, the real estate website luxury Portfolio international reported that 82 per cent of high net worth individuals from across the globe cite privacy as a top concern. several developments have led to this state of affairs. when you combine the ever-increasing wealth of the high net worth class, society’s increasing aversion to unseemly displays of wealth, and

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rising real estate prices for the mega mansions and penthouses they typically buy, the need for anonymity is an inevitable result. so, too, the technological revolution that has ushered in the era of hacking and data breach issues has raised the general level of awareness that privacy is under assault.

Even acquiring real estate in a corporate name – a vehicle often used by the affluent to buy property anonymously – is now under assault by state legislators, who are requiring ever more disclosure in the pursuit of transparency.

Even developers of new construction properties are addressing the growing need for privacy among their residents. in new york, mega-developer related’s 70 Vestry project in tribeca and 520 west 28th street in chelsea, designed by renowned architect the late zaha Hadid, are marketing and installing automated garages with private entrances and on-demand valets so that residents may enter and exit their homes without a trace, safe from probing eyes. in keeping with the emphasis on privacy, the building also features an automated storage facility accessed from a secured viewing room that takes its design aesthetic from a swiss bank vault. and to top it all off, 520 west 28th street features the only private imaX theatre in new york city so residents never need to leave their homes. as technological innovation continues its inexorable march toward providing expanding amounts of easily accessible information, the need for privacy will assume a greater role in peoples’ consciousness. developers catering to this group of affluent consumers will have to increasingly incorporate privacy features into their offerings.

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

t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | noV E m BE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

Beyond the horizon story by rosa nn E ba r r Et t

A bush or regional setting brings out the best in an architect keen to forge an inspired and functional design out of the challenges of an environment outside the city 24

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hen travis walton was asked to design a home on a regional block set amid the rolling hills of victoria’s mornington Peninsula, the melbourne architect saw both an opportunity and a challenge. the site was in a bushfire-prone zone, practicality was paramount, and there was limited ability to attract trades to work on the build. but being able to use recycled materials sympathetic to the surrounds, in the relaxed and harshly beautiful setting of the australian bush, allowed walton to come up a home that is both refuge and escape. “it’s about creating a contrast with city life,” he says. “the idea of creating sanctuaries is important – a place where you don’t have to think about the rest of the world, and having that escape, having space to create those moments. “we built a lot of the design around having that beautiful landscape coming into those [internal] spaces.” architect-designed homes have long been a feature of the australian bush and regional areas. the setting offers scope for a different style of living, with fewer constraints on the size or shape of the building but more consideration required for the future home’s position.

bushfires, floods, foundations add an additional cost – up to 20 per cent on top of the $3000 to $5000 per square metre cost in south-east Queensland, or anything up to $10,000 per square metre for areas out of sydney – and are also factors in contemporary regional construction. in 1910, famed australian architect robin dods created the myendetta station homestead, between Quilpie and charleville in outback Queensland, responding to its harsh, hot and dry setting with timber and, initially, even hydroelectric power. with an oversized roof, cross-ventilation and breezeways, the home was designed around an octagonal core to be comfortable as well as striking in its extreme environment. australia’s most celebrated architect, Glenn murcutt, is also known for his iconic designs in regional settings, cultivated over a lifetime in the field. in his speech for top international honour the Pritzker Prize in 2002, murcutt highlighted the “strength, the delicacy and the transparency of much of the australian landscape, where the clarity of the light level separates the elements”. incorporating that australian bush light and setting around and into the home was critical to travis walton architecture’s plans for the six-bedroom home at mornington Peninsula’s red Hill. adding on to an existing homestead, the l-shaped building connects through a glass bridge that links the old with the new contemporary wing.

t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | nov E m bE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

Opposite page: Red Hill, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

Above and right: Boonah, Qld; Left and below: Reimagined beach shacks on Stradbroke Island

Long-term security, safety and weatherproofing had to be designed in, as well as practical elements, including a mud room and fencing to exclude the cattle of the working property concrete form benches and rough-form timber on the ceiling, consisting of local recycled wood, contributed to the creation of the “contemporary farmhouse”.

As the second home of the melbourne-based owners, it is a functional, durable but beautiful residence evoking a way of life quite different from the day-to -day one they lead in the inner city.

“For a contemporary home in the city, there are constraints in terms of size. “Inner-city projects are driven by how we can get light in or what we can do to make it unique,” walton says. “They are driven not by the internal out, but the external in.

“This was more about ‘there is a beautiful gum tree there – how can we locate [the home] to capture that?’. “when you can site [the home] anywhere, it was a pretty specific thing to get that in our minds.”

For brisbane-based architect Shaun Lockyer, the site was also foremost when he designed a 350sq m home in boonah, on the hillside of the extinct volcanoes of the Scenic rim, about an hour and a half from brisbane.

He had to design around the harsh south-western angle of the site, as well as the unstable clay substrate and the sometimes extreme weather that arises in the area’s microclimate.

“You’re starting with first principles: where does the sun rise and set and how do we want to inhabit this land?” he says. “country houses are more proactive in their design philosophy.”

Lockyer says long-term security, safety and weather-proofing

nov e m be r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7 | T H e w e e k e n d AUST r A L I A n

had to be designed in, as well as practical elements including a mud room, fencing to exclude the cattle of the working property, and being able to source the building contractors and materials required.

In the end, he devised a narrow house that runs along a 15-degree north-eastern angle, with access to a courtyard and doors that create a “massive operable screen” for dealing with the sun and wind. “we turned that complexity into an opportunity,” he says.

Further east, on southern Queensland’s Stradbroke Island, conrad Gargett principal david Gole has designed five homes in the small township of Point Lookout, which has among the highest concentration of architect-designed homes in the country.

Less than two hours’ travel time from brisbane, “Straddie” nevertheless requires a car ferry journey to transport workers and materials to the coastal hamlet, making it more challenging to access services.

Gole says he played with the idea of reinventing the fibro beach shack in his plans, while maintaining the importance of embracing the views and creating internal spaces to retreat to.

“There is a long history of the beach shack and reinterpreting that and its materiality,” he says. “clients are more relaxed [for their Straddie home design]; they allow a bit more experimentation, and are more open to conversations and responsive to difference.

“It is about siting within the landscape, embracing views and the aspects of the climate.”

m A nSIonAUST r A L I A .c om . AU

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Classic sensibility ssttoorryy bbyy JJo on na attH Ha an nc cH Ha an nc cEEllllo or r

Designing the interior of a trophy home to harmonise perfectly with its exterior is a rare art combining clean lines with prestige materials and an injection of soul

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interior interior designer designer thomas thomas Hamel Hamel has has been been enjoying enjoying the the recent recent feedback feedback on on the the decor decor at at his his woollahra woollahra project project icilius icilius during during its its recent recent marketing marketing campaign. campaign. the the ocean ocean street street trophy trophy residence residence sold sold in in double-quick double-quick time time for for around around $13 $13 million, million, the the sydney sydney suburb’s suburb’s top top sale sale this this year. year. the thedesign designand andstyling stylingof ofthe theluxury luxuryhome homewas wasas asimportant importantas asthe the bricks bricks and and mortar mortar making making up up the the walls walls of of the the 1880s 1880s residence, residence, which which was wasbought boughtby byYoung Youngrich richlister listerand andlaser laserclinics clinicsco-founder co-founderalistair alistair champion champion and and his his wife wife kate kate macivor. macivor. the thepair pairacquired acquiredititfrom fromthe theentrepreneurial entrepreneurialbrendan brendanmcPherson mcPherson and and his his wife wife rowena, rowena, who who had had bought bought itit for for $8 $8 million million in in 2010 2010 and and commissioned commissioned Hamel Hamel to to undertake undertake aa refurbishment refurbishment in in 2012.

2012. “it “it was was nice nice to to see see that that classic classic design design has has such such aa strong strong place place in in the the eyes, eyes, and and hearts, hearts, of of the the market,” market,” Hamel Hamel says, says, adding adding that that the the result result appeared appeared to to have have universal universal appeal appeal even even though though itit had had been been created created for for very very specific specific clients. clients.

Hamel Hamel says says when when styling styling aa home home in in keeping keeping with with its its build, build, suitability suitability isis aa word word he he uses uses constantly. constantly. “an “an interior interior should should be be suitable suitable to to the the architecture, architecture, to to the the local local environment, environment, and and also also to to the the people people who who will will inhabit inhabit the the home,” home,” he he says. says. “when “when we we begin begin aa new new project, project, itit isis extremely extremely important important for for me me to to feel feel confident confident that that the the architecture architecture of of the the house house or or apartment apartment isis the the best best itit can can be. be. “we “we spend spend aa great great deal deal of of time time focusing focusing on on door door and and window window heights heights and and placements, placements, for for example, example, aa long long time time before before we we start start the the process processof ofselecting selectingfurnishings furnishingsand andcolours. colours.this thisisiswhy whyour ourprojects projects stand stand out out as as harmonious. harmonious. we we take take care care to to ensure ensure the the architecture architecture and and interior interior design design are are speaking speaking with with each each other.” other.” the the five-bedroom five-bedroom home, home, sold sold through through the the agency’s agency’s ben ben collier, collier, came came with with recent recent approval approval for for $750,000 $750,000 worth worth of of further further works works to to alter alter and and add add to to the the rear, rear, including including aa new new basement basement garage garage and and pool. pool. “we “we had had more more than than 150 150 groups groups through through the the property property during during the the three three weeks, weeks, with with interest interest predominantly predominantly from from local local families families

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Opposite: Opposite: The The classic classic interiors interiors of of the the gracious gracious Italianate Italianate home home Icilius Icilius in in Sydney’s Sydney’s Woollahra.

Woollahra.

Above: Above: Interior Interior designer designer Thomas Thomas Hamel.

Hamel. Above Above right: right: The The former former Smorgon Smorgon home home on on Robertson Robertson Street, Street, Toorak Toorak

upsizing,” upsizing,” ben ben collier collier says. says. “the “the quality quality of of icilius’s icilius’s build build and and finishes finishes are are generally generally not not seen seen in in properties properties under under $20 $20 million.” million.” it itisisbelieved believedthat thatthe thebuilder, builder,aastudent studentof ofroman romanhistory, history,named named the the home home after after lucius lucius icilius, icilius, aa tribune tribune in in 456 456 bc. bc. He He called called the the neighbouring neighbouring house house suevi, suevi, after after the the Germanic Germanic tribe tribe that that invaded invaded the the roman roman Empire Empire in in 406 406 ad. ad. Hamel’s Hamel’s work work on on the the ornate ornate victorian victorian italianate italianate residence residence took took two two years. years. it it was was not not the the first first alteration alteration to to icilius icilius over over the the years. years. in in 1919, 1919, works works valued valued at at £600 £600 –– aa pricey pricey fee fee for for renovations renovations back back then then –– kicked kicked off. off. the the most most expensive expensive home home currently currently on on the the market, market, singaporean singaporean businessman businessmanck ckow’s ow’svaucluse vauclusemansion mansionPhoenix Phoenixacres, acres,was washeralded heralded as as australia’s australia’s priciest priciest build build in in the the early early 1960s, 1960s, at at £250,000. £250,000. itit sold sold at at aa record record$370,000 $370,000in in1968.

1968. the the price price of of building building or or renovating renovating aa home home continues continues to to soar. soar. residential residential consultancy consultancy firm firm turner turner and and townsend townsend has has calculated calculated the the average average australian australian building building costs costs of of aa detached detached house house in in the the prestige prestige market market at at around around $3200 $3200 per per square square metre. metre. a a decade decade ago ago the the average average for for aa prestige prestige home home was was $2250 $2250 per per square square metre. metre. turner turner and and townsend townsend has has sydney sydney prestige prestige pegged pegged at at $4000 $4000 per per square square metre, metre, while while brisbane’s brisbane’s costs, costs, at at $3100 $3100 per per square square metre, metre, outdo outdo melbourne’s, melbourne’s, which which sit sit at at $2825. $2825. corelogic corelogic estimates estimates that that building building costs costs per per square square metre metre in in the the prestige prestigetier tierhave haverisen risen20 20per percent centover overthe thepast pastfive fiveyears, years,and andgiven given economies economies of of scale, scale, itit isis typically typically cheaper cheaper to to build build aa larger larger home home with with prestige prestige materials materials than than to to renovate. renovate. bellevarde bellevarde constructions, constructions, one one of of australia’s australia’s leading leading prestige prestige home home builders, builders, reputedly reputedly builds builds houses houses that that cost cost anywhere anywhere from from $5 $5 million million to to $40 $40 million. million. “they “they choose choose their their clients, clients, not not the the other other way way round,” round,” one one trophy trophy home home owner owner advised. advised. the the firm firm has has built built the the likes likes of of Hermit Hermit bay bay House House in in vaucluse, vaucluse, the the home home commissioned commissioned by by global global financier financier andrew andrew ipkendanz ipkendanz that that sold sold for for $47.88 $47.88 million million last last year year through through alison alison coopes. coopes. the the carrara carrara road road home, home, designed designed by

by Peter Peter stuchbury, stuchbury, was was bought bought by by

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ray rayitaoui, itaoui,the theboss bossof ofmusic musicstore storechain chainsanity, sanity,and andhis hiswife wiferachel. rachel. ipkendanz ipkendanz says says that that he he has has built built new new houses houses all all over over the the world, world, but but that that working working with with John John Fielding Fielding and and the the bellevarde bellevarde team team was was unlike unlike previous previous experiences. experiences.

He He describes describes the the home home as as possibly possibly the the most most architecturally architecturally ambitious ambitious ever ever built built in in sydney, sydney, perhaps perhaps even even in in australia. australia. indigo indigo slam, slam, Judith Judith neilson’s neilson’s home home at at chippendale, chippendale, which which soon soon after after her her $7.975 $7.975 million million purchase purchase had had official official council council approval approval for for its its $6.78 $6.78 million million residential residential dwelling, dwelling, was was shortlisted shortlisted for for best best house house in in the the world world at at the the world world architecture architecture Festival Festival in in berlin berlin late late last last year. year. “at “at our our first first meeting, meeting, she she said said itit has has to to be be the the best best house house in in sydney,” sydney,” architect architect william william smart smart of of smart smart studio studio design design says. says. “at “at the the second second meeting, meeting, she she said said the the best best house house in in australia.” australia.” it it was was at at the the third third meeting meeting that that neilson neilson asked, asked, “can “can we we make make itit the the best best house house in in the the world?” world?” the the three-storey three-storey concrete concrete residential residential warehouse warehouse project, project, formerly formerly the the simona simona fashion fashion headquarters, headquarters, had had already already received received the the wilkinson wilkinson award, award, nsw’s nsw’s top top residential residential honour. honour. of of course course the the palatial palatial toorak toorak mansion mansion of of soft soft drink drink magnate magnate Harry Harry stamoulis stamoulis isis likely likely to to be be australia’s australia’s most most expensive expensive home home build. build. set set on on exclusive exclusive st st Georges Georges road, road, itit was was built built after after stamoulis stamoulis paid paid $24 $24 million million for for aa Federation Federation house house that that had had been been home home to to the the establishment establishment baillieu baillieu family family for for 70 70 years. years. the the stamoulis stamoulis residence, residence, with with its its colonnaded colonnaded facade, facade, was was built built with with aa nod nod to to the the marble marble House, House, the the vanderbilt vanderbilt mansion mansion in in newport, newport, rhode rhode island, island, in in the the us. us. it it isis speculated speculated that that its its ballroom ballroom emulated emulated the the interiors interiors of of new new York’s York’s Plaza Plaza Hotel.

Hotel. the the krongold krongold construction construction team team began began building building the the stamoulis stamoulis house house to to aa bruce bruce Henderson Henderson design design in in 2012, 2012, with with aa four-year four-year time time frame. frame. Early Early rumours rumours suggested suggested the the build build would would cost cost $30 $30 million, million, but butindustry industryexperts expertsnow nowbelieve believestamoulis, stamoulis,after afteradding addingfurnishings, furnishings, fittings fittings and and decor, decor, had had little little change change left left over over from from $70 $70 million. million. its its construction costs costs topped topped those those of of bedford, bedford, the the three-level three-level toorak toorak construction

home commissioned commissioned by by businessman businessman and and property property magnate magnate John John home Gandel. He He too too knocked knocked down down an an established established mansion, mansion, built built in in the the Gandel.

1930s by by the the Patterson Patterson furniture furniture family, family, and and followed followed up up with with an an 1930s estimated $40 $40 million, million, four-year four-year construction construction in in the the early early 1990s.

1990s. estimated aussie John John symond’s symond’s Point Point Piper Piper residence, residence, wingadal, wingadal, was was aa aussie big spend. spend. but but itit was was probably probably eclipsed eclipsed as as sydney’s sydney’s most most expensive expensive big buildby byJames JamesPacker’s Packer’sla lamer merat atvaucluse, vaucluse,sold soldfor foraround aroundaabreakbreakbuild even $70 $70 million million in in 2015, 2015, aa then then record record price. price. even the stamoulis stamoulis purchase purchase of of the the knock-down knock-down Federation Federation home home the held the the melbourne melbourne price price record record for for six six years years after after its its $24 $24 million million held trade in in 2010.

2010. the the record record was was broken broken when when 44 robertson robertson street street in in trade toorak, with with interiors interiors by by thomas thomas Hamel, Hamel, sold sold for for $24.099 $24.099 million. million. toorak, the seven-bedroom seven-bedroom home home was was designed designed for for melbourne melbourne the businessmantony tonysmorgon smorgonand andhis hiswife wifeJennifer Jenniferby byrussell russellcasper casper businessman of casper casper architecture architecture & & design design in in collaboration collaboration with with Hamel.

Hamel. of marshall white white agent agent marcus marcus chiminello chiminello sold sold the the property, property, marshall along with with its its specially specially designed designed furniture. furniture. chiminello chiminello then then went went along on to to sell sell the the $26.25 $26.25 million million besen besen home home in in toorak, toorak, which which on reportedly cost cost $20 $20 million million to to construct. construct. reportedly Hamel says says that that australian australian clients clients are are looking looking internationally internationally Hamel when designing designing their their homes. homes. when “australian clients clients continually continually hone hone their their tastes tastes and and interior interior “australian design preferences preferences on on the the global global stage... stage... this this isis wonderful,” wonderful,” he he says. says. design “before making making decisions, decisions, there there isis aa great great interest interest in in understanding understanding “before all the the options options the the world world offers offers and and ii enjoy enjoy nurturing nurturing this this curiosity. curiosity. all “i am am constantly constantly making making shopping shopping lists lists for for clients clients for for their their trips trips “i to new new York, York, london, london, los los angeles angeles and and Europe.”

Europe.” to Hamel adds adds that that he he isis pleased pleased to to see see aa resurgence resurgence of of classically classically Hamel inspired architecture architecture and and interiors. interiors. inspired “these kinds kinds of of homes homes have have aa cleaner, cleaner, edited edited approach approach with with “these their furnishings furnishings and and details, details, but but they they do do have have aa classic classic sensibility sensibility to to their them. so so many many people people are are coming coming to to us us with with the the request request that that they they them. do not not want want to to live live in in aa soulless, soulless, uncomfortable uncomfortable glass glass box.” box.” do

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The #1 place for property With twice the visits of any other property site or app, choose the place more than 1 million Australians trust every day.

this is the place Visits: Nielsen Market Intelligence, web visits; Nielsen Digital Content Ratings (DCR), app launches. Audience: Nielsen DCR, audience on site & app vs. nearest competitor. All data: 1/7/17 to 20/8/17.

Year in review The upper end of the prestige property market has seen some spectacular wins in 2017, with a clutch of record breakers. But it’s as unpredictable as ever

Story by JonAT H A n c H A nc eL L or

All eyes are on Singaporean businessman ck ow’s luxury vaucluse mansion offering on Sydney’s harbourfront to gauge the depth and preparedness of cashedup prestige buyers.

The home has been listed by the chairman of hotel owner and developer Stamford Land corporation with hopes of bettering Sydney’s $71 million record price.

Phoenix Acres, a 3731sq m site complete with a six-bedroom, sixbathroom home, was last traded 22 years ago for $7.001 million by the braham family. craig Pontey of ray white sold it to ow and has been formally seeking the next owner since the middle of last month.

The upper echelon of Australia’s prestige property this year has seen a national price record and four state records. but nothing seems easy.

“The top end of the market has been as unpredictable as ever,” ken Jacobs at christie’s International says.

The highest sale was the double bay mansion elaine, sold by the Fairfax family for $71 million through ken Jacobs to billionaire Young rich Lister Scott Farquhar and his wife, kim Jackson.

Farquhar, the co-founder of software company Atlassian, topped the brw Young rich List again this year, along with business partner mike cannon-brookes. Their combined wealth was tallied at just over $6 billion.

Jacobs suggests that the trophy home market was being well supported by domestic buyers at a time when the recently introduced government regulations alienating overseas investment in Australia were taking effect. elaine had been in the Fairfax family dynasty for the past 120 years before its recent sale, which took almost three years to secure.

nov e m be r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7 | T H e w e e k e n d AUST r A L I A n

Top: Phoenix Acres at Vaucluse; above, the former Fairfax seat Elaine in Double Bay; and below, the clifftop home at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane

Initial press damaged the campaign when a silly $100 million prospect was published, based on calculating the foreshore price capability of the entire 7000sq m parcel, which runs between Seven Shillings beach and new South Head road.

The unrenovated home last traded when Geoffrey evan Fairfax bought it in the 1890s. next door to elaine is Fairwater, the other Fairfax family home.

It is likely to come to market next year, and mike cannon-brookes would rank as a prospect to secure the prized offering. elaine’s sale topped the previous house record of $70 million, set in 2015 when Jacobs sold the vaucluse mansion La mer on behalf of James and erica Packer to chinese-Australian businessman chau chak wing. The property sold off market.

The melbourne and brisbane markets have enjoyed equally buoyant record prices during 2017.

The first was in brisbane, when a clifftop home at kangaroo Point sold for $18.48 million, easily eclipsing the previous record of $14 million set in late 2014 when mining and farming magnate Gina rinehart bought a brisbane riverfront home at Hawthorne.

The record-breaker, sold by city motor Auctions Group boss Angelo russo and his wife Sandra, was a three-level home on Leopard Street. The vast 1445sq m split-level residence – the work of designer Greg Harris – came with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a home office with adjoining boardroom, a fully equipped gym and steam room, a sound-proof cinema and a wine cellar.

A heated infinity lap pool and spa spans the width of the 1184sq m parcel and runs along the cliff’s edge, with gun barrel views of the brisbane river. The marketing, through ray white new Farm agent matt Lancashire, suggested the owners spared no expense, installing heated St Lorraine marble flooring from Greece across the living and entertaining area.

Then mid-year came melbourne’s record-breaking sale in Toorak. reports emerged in July of a new $40 million house price

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Year in review

Clockwise from top left: Fitzroy Terrace, Fitzroy, SA; Mowbray in Toorak; Sentosa, Hobart; former Creasy home on Chidley Way in Mosman Park, WA; and Deakin, ACT

set by 18 Georges road, toorak. the comfortable 1920s home, known as mowbray, was bought off market, and with settlement still to come the selling agent is yet to claim credit. mowbray was sold by former mirvac director marina darling and her husband anthony, who acquired it from venture capitalist roger allen and his wife dianne for $4.9 million in 1995. the sale was the highest in melbourne for that year. in 1987 it had changed hands for $3.95 million. the five-bedroom, two-storey residence across approximately 5000sq m was built by noted architect christopher cowper, though it is not protected by heritage overlay. its sale price exceeded the previous record of $26.25 million paid by netflow managing director Phil dreaver last year for the modern mansion at 9 towers road, toorak, owned by the besen family. mowbray’s buyer will be hit with a $5 million stamp duty bill, which includes a 7 per cent surcharge for foreign buyers that came into effect in victoria in July last year. any Firb application would see a fee of $412,000 applying to a $40 million home. the buyer also faces the prospect of an annual land tax bill of about $370,000 if the toorak mansion is not their principal place of residence, and

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Mowbray’s buyer will be hit with a $5 million stamp duty bill, which includes a 7 per cent surcharge for foreign buyers that came into effect in Victoria in July last year another $300,000 in annual taxes from January 1 next year should it remain empty for more than six months in any calendar year. but marshall white agent marcus chiminello says that melbourne “has never experienced such demand in the $10 million to $40 million bracket”.

Perth has secured its highest residential sale in six years, with $21.5 million paid for a home on chidley way in mosman Park. designed by architect robert cann and built on a 4045sq m site, it was sold by the creasy mining family to pioneering ikEa franchisee alan tribe. sharon creasy’s former husband, mark, a mining prospector, paid the then highest price for a wa property when he bought the

mansion for $8 million from the late multiplex construction boss John roberts in 1995. in the act, a home in deakin with views of Parliament House sold for $5.75 million recently through luton Properties – the thirdhighest sale in the nation’s capital. the house was built in 2010 to a design by local architect terry ring o=n 1710sq m grounds, using dry stack stone walls, marble, natural timber and sandstone. in tasmania’s Hobart, the sandy bay mansion sentosa sold for a record $6.5 million. the 100-year-old home, bought by sydney property developer Piers dawson damer and his wife kim, was designed by marco linardi. it sits amid 2310sq m of Paul bangay gardens on blinking billy Point. knight Frank selling agent mathew chugg and tom triffitt described it as one of tasmania’s finest homes. its sale topped the previous record of $6.06 million, set in 2011 when waimea House, an arts and crafts-style residence on sandy bay, sold. adelaide’s record price has not budged since 2015, when ivanhoe, the Gilberton home built in 1889, sold quietly for $7 million. according to corelogic, the top sale so far this year is $5.5 million at Fitzroy but selling agent Jamie brown at bernard booth real Estate says he has two buyers with $10 million to spend.

t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | nov E m bE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

Yeronga Riverfront Inspired Oasis This striking residence, high and dry on 1606m2, showcases an effortless balance between contemporary design, luxury and the very best indoor/ outdoor entertaining and lifestyle. As featured in Architectural Digest’s “Homes that Blur the Line Between Indoors & Out”, the spacious open living areas flow out to expansive entertaining terraces with a backdrop of tranquil views across the river to Sir John Chandler Park.

For more information: www.dixonfamily.net.au

5 Bed

|

4 Bath

|

3 Car

| 1606m2 Land

Yeronga | 41 Riverview Place Expressions of Interest | Close 8 December 5:00pm Inspect | By Appointment Patrick Dixon 0414 817 817

Jack Dixon 0408 756 694

Apartments

Main picture: A marble-clad bathroom at Hawksburn Place Residences.

Below: Mirvac’s Eastbourne project

Jonat H a n c H a nc El l or

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evelopers need to think of every indulgence when it comes to new apartments nowadays. off-the-plan marketing for Hawksburn Place residences in melbourne’s Hawksburn village promises a designated dog-wash space in the basement garaging – and more space dedicated to an onsite car wash. adding around $650,000 to the cost of the williams road project, along with the increasingly de rigueur electronic tesla carcharging ports, this indulgence is being marketed as an australian first for an apartment building. the 23-apartment project, designed by cox architecture, is being built by Gurner, the development firm headed by Young rich lister tim Gurner. it is being developed in partnership with the smorgon family. Gurner’s focus has been catering exclusively for high-end buyers keen to downsize, with each apartment comprising either three or four bedrooms. “we have been getting feedback from our high-end buyers suggesting that they are very keen to downsize into a luxury residence,” he says. “their hesitation lies with not wanting to buy into a building where the majority of other residents are renters.” the original approval for Hawksburn was for 60 apartments, but Gurner redesigned the floorplates to accommodate the demand from downsizers. “we wanted to create a building that has been crafted for these buyers’ (downsizers’) needs, so we have taken this concept to a whole new level,” he says. a hotel-style entrance landscaped by Paul bangay leads to the marble-clad lobby custom-designed by interior designer david Hicks. its European-style lounge, complete with artworks, has a full-time concierge, who will supervise private lockers. they will even hold the dry-cleaning delivery for collection. residences range from 145sq m to 810sq m. Prices start at $1.75 million and go as high as $14 million. buyers can choose from either the nero or the Grigio collection, which offer either a light or

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little luxuries No expense is being spared in the bid by apartment developers to court downsizers with a taste for high-end communal living

dramatic black italian Elba marble or nero marquina theme. david Hicks designed the apartments with timber chevron floorboards, coffered ceilings, and bathrooms with a marble-clad, custom-designed double shower and a central feature bathtub. “we have taken a tailored approach to contemporary living,” Hicks says. “From incorporating two separate vanities in the bathrooms, to large double-entry doors into the apartments along with custom-designed joinery, our direction for the design was to emulate the experience of luxury European hotels.”

many developers are now focusing on the needs of the intending downsizer, creating a community within their apartment projects so that residents don’t feel boxed in. the new collins arch development on melbourne’s collins street will have a whole-level sky bridge on the 34th floor connecting its two towers. designed by new York architects sHoP and the locally based woods bagot, the sky bridge features a club room with two private dining rooms and kitchen facilities, as well as wine cellar storage for residents’ personal collections. cbus Property is developing the $1.25 billion project. “not since Eureka tower has there been such an opportunity for owneroccupiers who want to enjoy the pinnacle of apartment living in the world’s most liveable city,” cbus Property chief executive adrian Pozzo says. mirvac and its architects bates smart have also created a communal living feel in their Eastbourne project overlooking Fitzroy Gardens. it will feature a dining room with chefs’ kitchen, a resident’s lounge with courtyard barbecue, a cinema room and a business centre. the bespoke space will include a temperature-controlled wine cellar. the project is now more than 95 per cent sold, with Eastbourne’s 500sq m penthouse, Grand Pavilion, fetching $14 million earlier this year. it comes with a 300sq m balcony and 50m of park frontage, and has its own pool and spa. one buyer spent almost $11 million to join three apartments into a 250sq m abode. cbrE residential projects boss andrew leoncelli noted earlier this year that communal facilities have made a comeback. with everyone briefly conscious of ongoing body corporate costs, developers had stopped creating communal facilities, he noted, but now they are back in abundance, especially for owneroccupiers. “in fact, they’re the point of difference between selling projects and not,” he said.

t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | nov E m bE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

6097sqm of Seclusion, Privacy and Views within 30mins to Brisbane and the Gold Coast...

Daisy Hill 427 Springwood Road • • • • •

This amazing residence that has to be seen to be believed nested on 6097sqm It has an overall internal dimension in excess of 600sqm of architectural space This property offers secure and discrete garaging and electric front gates Established tropical gardens, rock pool and designed for the entertainer Uninterrupted views to Mt Warning, Mt Tamborine and Gold Coast Hinterland

5 B 3 C 5+ D 1 N

Cellars JoEl robinson

Vintage picks Owning a vineyard may be the ultimate for wine lovers but an impressive cellar for your wine collection comes a close second

d

ark Horse, an equestrian-inspired vineyard with a luxe cellar door and a well-regarded wine brand, has been listed for sale at lovedale. the 25-acre Hunter valley, nsw, wine country offering is an award-winning boutique vineyard with around 7.5 acres under vine with semillon and chardonnay, first planted in the 1960s. the wines are small batch and hand-picked. the low-yielding and high-quality grapes produce around 1300 bottles of wine a year, being sold on a walk-in walk-out basis by cain beckett at Jurds. an american-style barn – the dark Horse cellar door – sits behind the estate’s wilderness road sandstone gates and post and rail fencing.

James Halliday included the property in 2011 as one of his top 10 “dark-horse wineries” under its previous name, noonji Estate, when it was owned by drew Gibson. the current vendors, martin and olivia Pukanic, combined their love for wine and horses after buying the property in 2014. they had plans for barn-style accommodation featuring private pools. the price guidance is $1.5 million to $1.6 million. there are tax advantages to owning a winery, with recent changes likely to give smaller local operators a competitive boost against larger wine producers. and for those who don’t want to buy a cellar door, having your own wine cellar, bar and storage is the next best thing. last year the total vineyard area in australia was tallied at more than 135,000ha. shiraz made up 30 per cent, while chardonnay was the largest white variety, with 16 per cent. the total winegrape crush amounted to 1.8 million tonnes, of which south australian regions accounted for just over half. From this, winemakers produced 1.3 billion litres of wine. there were 2468 wineries and 6251 grapegrowers, official records show.

Hence the growing importance of cellars in houses and apartment blocks in past decades.

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Top: Dark Horse in the Hunter Valley.

Above: The home bar at 33 Elizabeth Street, Paddington, Qld. Right: The wine cellar at Riverview Place, Yeronga, Qld

in brisbane, a riverfront home built in 2002 on riverview Place at Yeronga comes with an impressive wine cellar. the ground-floor space holds more than 960 bottles in a humidity- and temperature-controlled environment. the cellar is part of the lower-level open-plan living and entertaining area, which opens to expansive terraces with views across the river to the greens on indooroopilly Golf course. the noteworthy home, which spans nearly 600sq m of living space, appeared in Architectural Digest’s feature on houses that blur the line between indoors and out. it sits behind a timber portico and a huge double cedar, rosewood and ebony entrance door. dixon Family toowong agents Patrick and Jack dixon are marketing the property.

in the inner-city brisbane suburb of Paddington, a bespoke home comes with its own climate-controlled wine cellar finished with whistler basalt stone imported from canada. it is serviced by its own bar on the entertaining level, which sits beside a private rear deck with a built-in Primo ceramic smoker grill and barbecue.

Featuring extensive use of recycled west australian karri timber, the three-level home complete with elevator has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. ben wakely and clinton moore at urban Property agents Paddington are marketing the property.

t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | nov E m bE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

Central Garden

Images are artist’s impressions only

Kitchen/Living

Rooftop Skypool

HAWTHORN PARK – PERFECTLY NATURAL LIVING VISIT THE DISPLAY SUITE DAILY 10AM-4PM OR FOR A PRIVATE APPOINTMENT CALL 1300 00 2868

A selection of luxury parkside apartments and townhouses, Hawthorn Park is the future of Hawthorn. Set across four low-rise buildings and featuring over 2000m² of residential parkland and Melbourne’s only Skypool with a tranquil splash pool.

Hawthorn Park is designed to look after residents’ physical and mental wellbeing. Amenities include a wellness centre, gym, yoga studio, massage rooms, garden lounges and more.

The premium homes have been designed with unique floorplans, having the owner occupier in mind. Featuring abundant light, the large kitchens have natural stone island benches, premium Gaggenau appliances and plenty of storage solutions. Many also include large entertainment areas with planter boxes.

Select from a wide range of bedroom, bathroom and study options. A perfect home to suit every lifestyle.

47 CAMBERWELL RD HAWTHORN EAST HAWTHORN-PARK.COM.AU

H istor ic Estat E

Castle keep a riverside scottish castle that once belonged to a big game hunter who reportedly saved former us President theodore roosevelt from a herd of elephants hit the market last month for £4.25 million ($7.3 million). the Hensol Estate, near the town of castle douglas in kirkcudbrightshire, has a granite, 10-bedroom main house, five cottages, a farmhouse, home farm and communications tower. it sits on around 432ha, including 38ha of grass, 54ha of pasture, 186ha of rough grazings and 142ha of woods, according to strutt & Parker, the brokerage handling the sale. the main house was built in 1822 by Gothic revivalist architect robert lugar for John cuninghame. He inherited the estate from william cuninghame, a tobacco merchant who made a fortune from the tobacco scarcity caused by the american revolution. it was passed on to richard John cuninghame, whose diaries recount the story of him saving roosevelt – also an avid hunter – from both wild elephants and a furious hippopotamus.

For those buyers inspired by roosevelt’s passion for hunting, the estate has an

established driven pheasant shoot, duck flighting, roe deer stalking and two miles of river dee frontage with trout fishing. the sellers have owned the estate since 2012.

“Hensol enjoys a particularly private location, which will appeal to buyers from the uk and overseas who seek a secluded home,” said andrew rettie, chairman of strutt & Parker. “of particular interest is the very rich history, and also the excellent mix of houses, woods, farmland and its diversity of sportings.” liz luckinG

F o r m E r Pa n a m a n i a n E m b a s s y o n t H E m a r k E t

t E x a ns sna P u P Grouc Ho m a r x ' s For mEr Hom E

a london mansion opposite the victoria and albert museum that served as the Panamanian Embassy and was once the home of ballerina dame margot Fonteyn has been released for sale with a price tag of £75 million ($128 million). amberwood House, in knightsbridge, served as the Panamanian Embassy between the early 1930s and late 1990s. it was the home of Fonteyn, a prima ballerina assoluta with the royal ballet, during the 1950s and 1960s, following her marriage to dr roberto Emilio arias in 1955, who became the Panamanian ambassador that same year. the three-storey brick mansion built in 1928 is close to Harrods and the exclusive shopping precinct sloane street. the embassy moved to nearby mayfair in the late 1990s and developers k10 Group acquired the building in 2011. when renovations are finished in 2019, the house will have five bedrooms, ornamental balconies, an entrance hall with a grand chandelier, three separate living areas, a cocktail bar and a dining area, a full-floor master bedroom suite, a club room with a cinema, and a walk-in wine cellar.

the onetime Hollywood home of Groucho marx has sold for $us3.81 million ($4.97 million). that’s impressive price appreciation from the time the star last lived there in the 1940s. marx sold the property in 1949 for a mere $35,000, The Wall Street Journal reported when it hit the market in June. the most recent seller, the crest Group, put the home up for sale just seven months after buying it for $3.45 million. it originally wanted close to $4 million but sold for slightly less two weeks ago to a husband and wife from Houston, texas. the 344sq m home, built around 1935, recently underwent a regency-style renovation. the main house, with four bedrooms and five bathrooms, sits on a quarteracre block that encompass a swimming pool with waterfall and hot tub and brick-paved terrace, according to the listing with Juliet zacarias of sotheby’s international realty.

Jason woodruff of keller williams represented the buyer. the traditional-style house is surrounded by a privacy hedge.

liz luckinG

bEckiE strum

Originally published on mansionglobal.com

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t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | nov E m bE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

Exceptional clifftop hideaway Campbells Bay, Auckland, New Zealand

Behind the enigmatic frontage of this 3665m2 property lies an exquisite Oriental-inspired paradise. A private world of luxury and tranquillity with sweeping gulf views.

Crafted to an exceptional standard, the home features herringbone parquet floors, underfloor heating in the bathrooms, high timber-beamed ceilings, superb lighting and central air conditioning. Formal and family living spaces open to a courtyard with rock garden, swimming pool and self-contained cabana (with sauna and wine cellar), making entertaining so enjoyable. Additional spaces include a study area, home theatre and library area and the four bedrooms all have ensuite bathrooms.

• • • •

Private access to the beach is by cable car (inclinator), or stairs.

10 minute drive to Takapuna, with cafes and restaurants.

Second office off the large 4 car garage has room for a gym.

High value chattels are available to be sold with the home.

Do not settle for ordinary when a sensational heaven awaits.

Kash Srini +64 27 293 2204 k.srini@barfoot.co.nz Barfoot & Thompson Beach Haven +64 9 482 5428 For sale by negotiation www.barfoot.co.nz/605368

Sanctuary Cove Jonat H a n c H a nc El l or

Living the dream sanctuary cove, the much-admired masterplanned residential community on the northern edge of Queensland’s Gold coast, had humble though controversial beginnings. the development, which boasts more waterfront land than any other in south East Queensland, was swampland when flamboyant millionaire mike Gore conceived his vision in the early 1980s. southerners saw Gore as the leader of the so-called white-shoe brigade, which thrived under then premier sir Joh bjelke-Petersen and the local member, russell Hinze, known as the minister for Everything. they were the days when, reputedly, all you needed was a brown paper bag, a bulldozer and some bikini girls for the project to get publicity.

Gore’s ambitious dream was no fleeting folly. what he set out to create – a fully integrated resort, with marina, championship golf course, shopping village and luxury accommodation for both tourists and permanent residents – was achieved. the gated community concept needed a special act of parliament, to which retired nsw 38

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supreme court Justice Paul toose applied his legal mind. in those earliest of days, his family bought a waterfront block for $320,000 that is retained by his family. sanctuary cove’s initial marketing was elitist. the first gated community in australia was provocatively spruiked as aimed at “keeping the cockroaches out”. “the streets these days are full of cockroaches, and most of them are human. Every man has the right to protect his family, himself and his possessions to live in peace and safety,” proclaimed the publicity. adman John singleton’s campaign gained the project an enormous amount of attention, much of it negative. “overnight, that ad became better known than louie the Fly,” Gore later reflected, adding that he was sent millions of cockroaches in the mail. the razzle-dazzle launch, overseen by young promoter tony cochrane, saw Frank sinatra and whitney Houston enticed to sing at “the ultimate Event”. i attended it, 30 years ago next January.

the project has since been through several hands. Firstly ariadne, then Japanese company EiE, and since 2002, mulpha australia. sanctuary cove now comprises close to 1400 residential lots, which are home to a community of 3000. it will comprise 1800 residential lots on completion, with works on the next release expected to get under way next month. some of the last remaining waterfront blocks were recently released. Prices started at $1.78 million for lots from 795sq m, some with 25m of water frontage, suitable for luxury motor boats and yachts. there are two 18-hole championship golf courses, a 226-berth marina, the five-star intercontinental sanctuary cove resort, and a country club with fitness facilities and 25m swimming pool. the retail village precinct features more than 80 tenancies. in recent times, mulpha has broadened the home buyer demographic, with both domestic and international buyers seeking to secure golf course precinct blocks from $700,000.

the residential record has stood since 2012, when the Zupp car dealership family paid $12 million for a home on the exclusive anchorage terrace. the three-level home, on a 2800sq m waterfront with 35m pontoon, had a reported pre-global financial crisis construction cost of $17 million. sold by ray white agent ali mian, it had five bedrooms, including a guest suite, and a master retreat with private riverfront balcony. there was also a cinema, study and library, and a barbecue pavilion overlooking the pool. last year, sanctuary cove’s biggest sale was when jeweller John calleija sold his waterfront home on the circle for $10.9 million to christina Quinn, wife of viP Pet Foods owner tony Quinn. the highest price paid for a golf course home was $4.25 million in the middle of this year on the fairway at the Pines to a new Zealand family through ray white agent matt Gates. the enthusiastic mike Gore died in 1994, aged 55, after a rollercoaster financial life.

t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | nov E m bE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

Interiors Mansion AustrAliA

Screen time

Privacy and prospect in Coogee T H E w E E k E n d AUST R A L I A n | nov E m bE R 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

Peak product

The year’s favourite decor pieces

The eyes have it

Blainey North pushes the perameters m A nSIonAUST R A L I A .c om . AU

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MY LIFE DESIGN STORIES Phoenix Phoenix Kitchen, Kitchen, design design CR&S CR&S Varenna.

Varenna.

SYDNEY SYDNEY MELBOURNE MELBOURNE POLIFORMAUSTRALIA.COM.AU POLIFORMAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

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The The clients clients –– aa busy busy professional professional couple couple with with three three teenage teenage children children –– asked asked for for the the kitchen kitchen and and living living areas areas to to be be on on the the top top floor floor to to take take in in the the best best views views over over coogee, coogee, with with aa master master bedroom bedroom and and two two other other bedrooms bedrooms on on the the ground ground floor, floor, as as well well as as aa basement/rumpus basement/rumpus room room for for their their teenagers. teenagers.

The Thevertical verticalbatons batonswere werefixed fixedon onthe thesouth southside sideof ofthe thehouse, house,but butchenchow chenchowand andhis histeam teamcreated createdaaseries series of of“retractable “retractablescreens” screens”on on the theeastern easternside, side,which whichoverlooks overlooksthe theocean oceanand andprovides providesthe theall-important all-importantviews, views, so sothe theexterior exteriorof ofthe thebuilding buildingcan canbe bealtered altereddepending dependingon onthe theday dayand andtime timeand andthe thefamily’s family’spreference. preference.

“If “Ifthey theywant, want,the theoccupants occupantscan canclose closethe thescreens screenswhen whenthey theywant wantprivacy privacyand andopen openthem themwhen whenthey they want want to to see see the the view view over over the the ocean,” ocean,” he he says. says. “You “You get get this this beautiful beautiful morning morning light light from from those those windows windows and and the the shadows shadows from from the the batons batons coming coming across across the the floor.” floor.”

The The interior interior of of the the house house isis aa mixture mixture of of concrete concrete and and spotted spotted gum gum timber, timber, and and isis anchored anchored by by aa beautiful beautiful internal internal staircase. staircase. “on “on the the top top floor floor you you have have the the timber timber core core elements elements and and aa concrete concrete floor. floor. The The timber timber isis seen seen as as blocks blocks within within that that space,” space,” chenchow chenchow explains. explains. “once “once you you get get down down to to the the bedrooms, bedrooms, we we used used timber timber aa lot lot more more [on [on the the floor floor and and walls] walls] to to create create more more warmth warmth down down on on that that level.” level.”

The Thehouse housewas wascompleted completedlast lastchristmas, christmas,and andthe thearchitects architectswell welland andtruly trulymet mettheir theirbrief briefof ofreducing reducing street street noise, noise, providing providing privacy privacy and and maximising maximising that that view. view. The The owners owners have have told told them them how how “serene” “serene” the the house house isis and and how how much much they they look look forward forward to to coming coming home home after after aa busy busy day day at at work. work.

As As for for chenchow, chenchow, he he loves loves the the different different spaces spaces they they created created in in the the house, house, from from the the library library to to the the internal internal courtyard. courtyard.

“The “Thehouse houseisisnot notjust justaasingular singularspace,” space,”he hesays. says.“There “Thereare areareas areaswhere whereyou youcan cango goto tohave haveaadifferent different experience. experience. You You can can go go to to aa space space to to read, read, and and another another space space to to sit sit down down and and write. write. If If you you want want to to sit sit down down and and have have aa drink, drink, there there isis another another part part of of the the house house that that you you can can go go to.” to.”

He He also also loves loves the the kitchen kitchen and and the the “floating “floating cabinets”, cabinets”, designed designed so so that that the the family family dog dog could could walk walk freely freely underneath. underneath. “Percy “Percy sleeps sleeps underneath underneath the the kitchen kitchen cabinet,” cabinet,” chenchow chenchow says, says, laughing. laughing.

For Forthe thevery veryhappy happyowners, owners,there thereisisactually actuallyan anunexpected unexpecteddownside downsideto tohaving havingaahouse housethis thisbeautiful; beautiful; the the constant constant disappointment disappointment when when they they stay stay at at places places other other than than their their home. home.

“The “The family family went went on on aa three-week three-week overseas overseas trip trip and and they they came came home home and and thought, thought, ‘wow’ ‘wow’ when when they they walked walkedback backin,” in,”chenchow chenchowsays. says.“The “Theissue issueisisthat thatthe thehouse houseisisso sobeautiful beautifulthat thatwhen whenthey theygo goto toaahotel hotelor oraa resort, resort,ititisisvery veryhard hardto toget getsomething somethingthat thatisisbetter betterthan thanthe thehouse. house.That Thatisisquite quiteaanice nicecompliment, compliment,IIguess.” guess.”

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A fine balance

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Round off the year in style with these statement pieces that will inject an element of luxe and raise the tone of the holiday season

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1.1. oottttoommaann sancal sancal la la isla isla ottoman, ottoman, in in three three sizes sizes and and aa selection selection of of fabrics. fabrics.

From From kE-Zu kE-Zu 2.

2. ddEEsskk Palette Palette desk desk inspired inspired by by alexander alexander calder calder in in nero nero marquina marquina marble marble or or stained stained ash ash veneer. veneer.

From From Great Great dane dane 3.

3. ttaabbllEE Handcrafted Handcrafted bell bell coffee coffee table table by by sebastian sebastian Herkner Herkner with with glass glass base base and and metal metal top. top.

From From classicon classicon

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4. ssiiddEEbbooaarrdd shamsian shamsian nizwa nizwa sideboard sideboard inspired inspired by by oman’s oman’s nizwa nizwa Fort.

Fort. Jade Jade stained stained maple maple with with ombré ombré effect. effect. From From living living Edge Edge 5.

5. aarrttwwoorrkk Part Part of of aa curated curated selection selection by by los los angeles-based angeles-based natural natural curiosities. curiosities.

From From coco coco republic republic 6.

6. ccHHaaiirr caristo caristo low-back low-back armchair armchair with with powderpowdercoated coated satin satin black, black, lacquered brass or pewter finish frame.

From space

7. s o Fa lacquered brass or mondrian sofa, part of a pewter finish frame. system conceived using a From space selection of different 7. s o F a and backrests. armrests mondrian sofa, part of a From Poliform system conceived using a 8. l a m P of different selection lamp by adelaide bragg armrests and backrests. with onion-shaped Fromclassic Poliform china base and shade in 8. l a m P linen or ticking. off-white lampbragg by adelaide From & co bragg with classic onion-shaped china base and shade in off-white linen or ticking.

From bragg & co

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My Style bl a inEy nortH, intEr ior dEsignEr

dEsign H Ero

bl a inEy nortH, intEr ior dEsignEr

Carlo Scarpa

Clockwise from right: Havilland Console, from Blainey North Collection; Kelly Wearstler sculpture from Becker Minty; photograph by David Stephenson; custom lacquer and leather tray from Blainey North; Kelly Wearstler bowl from Becker Minty; Byredo Burning Rose candle by Mecca Cosmetica; Murano glass vessels in indigo and emerald, sourced in Capri.

Fabric swatches in metallic silver

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

like to think our work exists outside of style as we create each project with its own character. this urge to continually create unique space has been born out of a desire to push the conceptual boundaries of design in every project. i start by looking into a client’s eyes and try to feel what they really want. we then sit together as a group in the office and brainstorm ideas until we feel the start of something wonderful being created. inspiration is a bit like the divine moment. it really is one of those things that just comes upon you. However, i do believe the ground work of dissecting the brief, the site and the client’s desires helps ensure that moment of inspiration is not only remarkable but aligned with the goals of the project. residential design is so rewarding, as i really enjoy pleasing people and helping to translate their dream into a reality. that moment when they walk in and see the finished project is worth every moment leading up to it. commercial work is able to be seen and experienced by so many people, so part of its reward is that your work is able to affect so many people’s lives. there is also a fantastic sense of freedom in being able to design without a single user in mind. i like being able to work concurrently in both spaces, and challenge myself with the different scales and levels of detailing. at the moment we are working on a new store concept for the british fashion designer alice temperley; a new hotel in brisbane inspired by kinetic stage show design; a waterfront home in sydney; a full-floor apartment next to the opera House; and the new crown spa at barangaroo. t H E w E E k E n d aust r a l i a n | nov E m bE r 2 5 -2 6 , 2 0 1 7

pHotogr apHEd by nick cubbin

because he freed building materials from their function