UNRIVALLED LUXURY IN THE HEART OF WAHROONGA
A reinvented estate five years in the making, delivering unrivalled luxury in Sydney’s Upper North Shore.
3 min
Sydney has its fair share of trophy homes, but when it comes to a mansion with every modern must-have, few could compete with this reinvented Wahroonga residence that’s been five years in the making.
Owned by actuary Julian Lipman and listed with David Walker of Ray White Upper North Shore, the extraordinary estate is expected to sell in the vicinity of its $18 million price point.
From the tennis court built to Australian Open standards to the award-winning swimming pool; the home dance studio to the imported greenhouse, this lavish property has plenty of wow factor at every turn.
Curated to be the ultimate entertainer’s retreat, the dream house doesn’t disappoint with an unparalleled home theatre by Signature Cinemas, built to standards rarely seen in a private home.
Alberto Vangi of Signature Cinemas said there is an extraordinary level of detail used to create the space.
“We created a room within a room to give it the ultimate acoustic treatment and to soundproof it with the least chance of any vibration. It has silk leather seating, and four-way masking so that no matter if you’re watching normal TV content, or a CinemaScope movie, the masking can move in four directions, giving you the ultimate size screen,” he explained, adding that the cinema also has a separate projection room.
“There are cinema-grade speakers specifically chosen to give you the most realistic sound possible. The time, detail and work that went into this project is next level.”
The fully appointed space has a commercial-grade projector, extensive acoustic treatments, ATMOS surround sound and a 4.9m screen.
On a vast 4047sq m parcel with a head-turning 1271sq m of internal living space, the grand homestead is a whole lot of house over three levels.
Beyond the stately double height entry foyer, the ground floor footprint alone is larger than the average Aussie house with a collection of elaborate entertaining areas for all occasions. The open plan lounge and dining zone is anchored by a statement Real Flame gas fireplace separating the formal and casual spaces and sliding doors spill out onto the expansive grounds.
A commercial-grade kitchen is home to Valcucine cabinetry, granite and timber surfaces, two fridges, an under counter freezer, Washtech dishwasher, osmosis water filter, Waldorf gas cook tops, a teppanyaki plate and Rational combi oven. There is also a huge butler’s pantry, island bench and a breakfast nook, as well as a full outdoor kitchen overlooking the pool.
That unique 25m heated infinity pool by Premier Pools earned a gong from the Master Builders Association back in 2023 and features in-floor cleaning, waterfalls, automated pool covers, sound speakers, a spa and lane markings.
Beside the pool, the neighbouring Plexicushion Prestige north/south-facing tennis court, which has an adjoining cabana with a wet bar, is suitable for professional play. Throughout the designer gardens there are established plants, a vegetable patch, a Hartley Botanic green house with heat lamps, lighting and SONOS sound, plus golf course-rated Sir Grange lawns.
There is an abundance of additional living space on the ground floor including a combined play room and study for the kids, a separate home office, a media room, a professional gym or dance studio complete with sprung floor, as well as TV systems, speakers and mirrored walls. A guest bedroom on the same level offers privacy with a walk-in wardrobe, a courtyard and shower ensuite.
Upstairs, a wide balcony overlooks the grounds and there are four more bedrooms with walk-in wardrobes and ensuites, however the primary suite is the real showstopper. It includes a dressing room with backlit display shelving, ensuite with a solid cast-iron bathtub, Onyx fireplace and a personal terrace.
The list goes on with a host of five-star inclusions such as a climate-controlled 2500-bottle wine cellar and tasting room, a 100sq m workshop beside the four-car garage featuring two EV chargers, a Crestron home automation system, a lift to all levels, zoned ducted air-conditioning and filtered air, hydronic under floor heating of all tiled areas, 21mm solid Tallowwood flooring, Louis Poulsen imported light features, Markilux electric awnings and electric blinds, Toto Neorest toilets, 60,000L buried rainwater tank.
The estate is close to Wahroonga Public School, the local train station, Knox Grammar, Barker and Abbotsleigh.
The Carrington Rd home is listed with David Walker on 0414 184 911 and Belinda Edwards on 0451 672 977.
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Australia’s castles are rare, but this one is real. Built in 1849 and held by the same family for 50 years, Overnewton Castle in Melbourne is now seeking its next custodian.
3 min
Australia’s castles are few and far between, and the opportunity to buy one rarely pops up. There is, however, now a bona fide 35-room chateau for sale in suburban Melbourne.
Listed for the first time in half a century, Overnewton Castle in Keilor, north west of the city, has launched to market through Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a $6 million to $6.6 million price guide.
The 176-year-old Scottish Baronial-style property has been home to the Norton family for the past 50 years, but was originally built for Scottish settler, grazier and former Mayor of Keilor, William James Taylor.
On a sprawling 2.25ha estate surrounded by rolling grounds filled with sculpted gardens and 170-year-old elm trees, the ivy-clad seven-bedroom three-bathroom residence is layered with a blend of Scottish, French and English influences.
Inside the heritage-listed mansion, there is a grand ballroom seating up to 150 guests, a lavish dining room, and a private chapel that was converted from the original billiards room.
Gastroenterologist Dr LJ Norton and his family have invested five decades in Overnewton Castle, partly preserving its period features while also updating the house for the 21st Century. After a devastating fire in 1979, the Nortons upgraded the infrastructure, installed mains water and access roads, and created a 100-vehicle car park.
Many of the 1849 estate’s original features, including drystone walls, period fireplaces and the dramatic western turret – accessed via a 40-step spiral staircase with a mahogany handrail – have been meticulously maintained. Even the turret’s slate “fish scale” roof tiling and ornate wind vane are straight out of the 19th century.
“Overnewton Castle is not just a property; it is our home and a piece of local history that we have cherished for 50 years,” says Norton family member and managing director of Overnewton Castle, Emma Stott.
“Living here, respectfully updating the facilities and operating our business has been a labour of love. As a family, we have created so many fond memories here, as well as played an important role in countless weddings and other events hosted on our grounds.”
In addition to hosting weddings at Overnewton Castle, the Norton and Stott families also run historical tours and high teas on the property.
Cussell says the unique listing represents an opportunity of historical significance. “Overnewton Castle is one of the finest examples of Scottish Baronial architecture in the Southern Hemisphere and an ideal setting for a private residence, luxury retreat, education facility or event venue,” he explains.
“It represents a rare convergence of architectural grandeur, cultural heritage and enduring family legacy. The listing truly is an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of Australian history.”
Overnewton’s cultural footprint reaches beyond local tourism, with the castle making its mark in Australian cinema. It played a role as the fictional Monclare mansion in the 1982 cult horror film Next of Kin.
Earlier this year, the period Victoria Racing Club nominated property to display the Melbourne Cup during its prestigious Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, and in 2024, the site was also a finalist in the Victorian Tourism Awards.
Beyond the grand residence, there are several restored outbuildings suitable for entertaining or accommodation, including The Stables for up ten guests, The Loft which sleeps eight, The Cottage that accommodates six, and The Cabin with space for four people.
The stately address is soon to become even better connected with the forthcoming Suburban Rail Loop and Sunshine Superhub infrastructure projects, improving access to the city. Overnewton is about 20kms from Melbourne’s CBD and 8kms from Melbourne Airport.
Overnewton Castle is listed with Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a price guide of $6 million to $6.6 million. The expressions of interest campaign closes on November 21 at 3 pm.
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