By Rich Harvey, CEO & Founder, propertybuyer.com.au
For decades, the New South Wales Central Coast region was in a property market holding pattern. It was flying under the radar of homebuyers and investors alike. But COVID’s significant upheaval brought the region into the limelight. Now, a raft of drivers across the political and economic spectrum will deliver exciting times to the Central Coast – and those who own property will be among the biggest beneficiaries.
Anthony Knight, Principal buyers’ advocate for Propertybuyer on the Central Coast, has lived in the region for decades. We recently chatted about the region and why he’s excited about what’s to come.
As the year draws to an end, it’s great to take the time for a bit of relaxation. An opportunity to relieve the stresses of work and just kick back in a comfortable chair for some light reading.
But I know property people well. While the downtime is great, most of us are still keen let our minds wander toward real estate. It’s not just out of professional necessity that people like me seek articles on our favourite subject. In truth, personal curiosity is fueling that fire too.
What I’ve found is that there’s nothing more satisfying during the holiday season than a little voyeuristic, eye-candy home scrolling to keep me entertained – and I’m not alone in that pursuit. To that end, I thought it’d be fun to look back on the highest-priced home sales in Sydney from 2024.
Please – sit back and enjoy having a look at where the big money was spent in our Harbour City this year.
“Elaine” Seven Shillings Beach, Point Piper – around $130 million
source: Domain.com.au
A monster price paid for an incredible estate. Elaine was sold by Atlassian founder Scott Farquhar in October. He bought the home for what now seems like a very astute $71 million in 2017 when it was purchased from John Brehmer Fairfax. Elaine is a grand estate of almost 7000 square metres with an 1863-built main residence. Interestingly, Mr Farquhar never lived in the residence, and it’s reported that the home and other improvement require serious repair and renovation. Mr Farquhar had plans to knock down the dwelling and build a new residence, but a neighbourhood backlash saw the proposal shelved.
“Rockleigh” 120-122 Wolseley Rd, Point Piper – around $85 million.
Source: CoreLogic
Wolseley Road, Point Piper is no stranger to the highest-priced list each year.
In this instance, it’s “Rockleigh”, a pink home in the street that last traded in 1978 for $325,000.
The 1284 square metre site houses a classic cottage and reportedly sold in May this year. The home is fairly modest in term of streetscape and internal condition having been in the same family for decades, and it would be prime for a knockdown.
Reports suggest the buyers are Frank Qiang Geng and his wife Juanjuan Zhao will rebuild the property. Interestingly, Mr Geng made his fortune from recycled shopping bags.
“Alcooringa”, 27 Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill – $80 million
Source: realestate.com.au
“Alcooringa” sold in August this year to an expat buyer. The property encompasses a Spanish Mission-style residence on 1560 square metres of land affording panoramic views of the harbour.
The home has seven-bed, eleven-bath, six-car accommodation and had undergone an extensive overhaul by its owner, former fashion designer turned lifestyle influencer Stephanie Conley Buhre and her venture capitalist husband, Oskar Buhre.
69 Fitzwilliam Rd, Vaucluse – $52 million
Source: realestate.com.au
A 1400 square metre harbourfront site improved with a six-bedroom, six-bathroom, three-car home. The three-level property is of contemporary finish and has site improvements which include an inground pool and boat shed. The property was sold by Dawn Lincoln-Smith who’d purchased it way back in 1958 for £19,500.
“Notrella” 142 Wolseley Rd, Point Piper – $51.5 million
Source: realestate.com.au
Another Wolseley Road sale – this one happened in March. “Notrella” is a 958 square metre site with a circa 1904, Queen Anne Federation-style, eight-bed, six-bath, four-car home that has exceptional panoramic views of the harbour. It’s indoor/outdoor living is undoubtably a highlight with manicured gardens and an inground pool all part of the package.
The seller was Coolmore Australia boss Tom Magnier, and the home was purchased by Briana and Ben Voltz, who are the co-founders of e-commerce marketing tech company rokt.
31 Gaerloch Avenue, Tamarama - $45 million
Source: realestate.com.au
A 1100 square metre cliff-top site with extraordinary ocean views. This one was all about the location given it was improved with a modest, low-set brick home that’s now demolished.
Recent reports are that Luigi Rosselli Architects have been commissioned by the new owners, David and Marisa Droga, to create a home of unique design with curved forms made from organic materials.
“Monkton”, 53-55 Cranbrook Rd, Bellevue Hill – $43.5 million
Source: realestate.com.au
A 1252 square metre site with a five-bed, five-bath, four-car home that has exceptional harbour views. The property could be described as Contemporary Tuscan in style. It was sold by investment banker Tim Burroughs and his wife Judith, who bought it for $30 million in 2022.
The property was purchased by Stephanie Conley-Buhre and Oskar Buhre in September – the same couple who sold “Alcooringa” at 27 Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill earlier in the year.
96 Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill – $42 million
Source: realestate.com.au
A 1492 square metre site with a two-level, six-bed, five-bath, five-car home on an elevated site delivering north-facing views of the harbour. The property was sold by EverBlu Capita founder Adam Blumenthal and his wife Annabelle Shamir in November to Monaco-based e-commerce entrepreneurs Olivia Skuza and Heath Wells after being listed for just three weeks.
2024 has been a stellar year for big-ticket sales with most of these transactions occurring off-market. Purchasers in this rarefied space are well versed in utilising the skills of a professional buyers’ agent… but you don’t need to be a mega-millionaire to get the best out of our expert advice. If you’re thinking of acquiring a home in 2025, don’t hesitate to reach out and discover how our panel of specialist buyers’ agents can make your property buying dreams a reality.
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