Docklands first hotel branded penthouse seeks to break $20 million

International hotel brand 1 Hotels has recently opened the doors to its debut Australian property in Melbourne’s Docklands.

The hotel forms part of Riverlee’s broader Seafarers development, which integrates the grandeur of the site, the former Goods Shed No. 5, meticulously reconstructed and restored piece by piece by the developer.

Designed by Fender Katsalidis in collaboration with CARR, Seafarers pays homage to the site’s wharfing history through the use of recycled timbers, steel beams and concrete, softened by expansive ceiling gardens.

Now, the first hotel-branded penthouse within the development has been listed for sale, and it is shaping up to become one of the few residences in Melbourne to push beyond the $20 million mark.

The penthouse commands expansive views across the city skyline and Port Phillip Bay, outlooks that can never be built out thanks to its prime, direct waterfront position.

A private lift opens into an exclusive lobby, leading to a gallery-style hallway that runs the full length of the expansive 715 sqm residence. Upon arrival, an ornamental conservatory sets the tone, anchored by a towering tree that rises toward a skylight, flooding the space with natural light.

The eastern wing of the penthouse houses a dedicated entertainment room with its own bar, a home office with integrated desk space, and four bedrooms.

The master suite is wrapped in glass and features two walk-in wardrobes, both naturally lit by skylights, along with an ensuite complete with a freestanding bath.

A formal dining area and wine cellar sit between the private quarters and the western edge of the home, where the main living spaces are positioned to capture uninterrupted views of the bay and city.

The kitchen is appointed with a fully equipped scullery, Gaggenau appliances, and a marble island bench.

Additional spaces include a cocktail lounge with a fireplace behind black-framed glass doors, as well as another living and dining area. All of these zones open onto a full-width terrace featuring an outdoor kitchen with integrated stone island, an alfresco dining area, and an outdoor lounge.

The penthouse also includes secure parking for four vehicles.

Forbes Global Properties Australia agents Nick Peters and Tracy Tian Belcher are guiding the property at $19.5 million to $21 million.

While a sale at this level would place it among Melbourne’s most expensive apartments, it would still fall short of the city’s record. That benchmark was set in 2023 when billionaire Adrian Portelli, known for his high-profile purchases and giveaways on The Block, paid $39 million for a 1,200 sqm penthouse on the 57th floor of Sapphire by the Gardens in the CBD.

Designed by Fender Katsalidis and CARR, Seafarers pays homage to the wharfing history of the land with its recycled timbers, steel beams and concrete softened by ceiling gardens.

Founder and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, Barry Sternlicht was the driving force behind some of world’s most esteemed hotel marques, including St. Regis and W Hotels.

Passionate about sustainability and conservation, he believes the people who travel the world care about it deeply, and through 1 Hotels, set out to establish a mission-driven luxury hotel brand that would raise awareness, spark conversations and inspire change that benefits the planet.

A landmark beachfront home in Balgowlah Heights has sold for $17.5 million, setting a new residential record for the tightly held Northern Beaches suburb.

The six-bedroom residence at 30A Beatty Street changed hands on July 21 through Clarke & Humel Property, eclipsing its own previous benchmark by $5.7 million.

The property last sold for $11.8 million in October 2017, a result reported as a Balgowlah Heights record at the time. Its latest sale represents an increase of more than 48% in almost nine years and places it well ahead of other known sales in the suburb.

It is not the first time the address has reshaped local expectations. The home sold for $3.15 million in 2013 before extensive alterations and additions transformed it into the substantial trophy residence seen today. From that transaction to its latest sale, its recorded value has increased more than fivefold.

Occupying 1,074sqm in an exclusive no-through pocket, the property backs directly onto the golden sand of Forty Baskets Beach. A gate at the bottom of the garden opens to the beach and surrounding foreshore walks, creating the kind of direct harbour access rarely available on the Northern Beaches.

The home’s elevated, cascading design takes full advantage of its position. Walls of glass frame panoramic views across North Harbour, while a succession of indoor and outdoor living spaces follows the slope towards the water.

Arrival is suitably dramatic. The four-car garage—complete with harbour views—is connected to the residence by a lift. From there, a covered walkway leads through tropical gardens to an entrance framed by a koi pond, stone flooring and soaring ceilings.

At the centre of the home is an expansive living and entertaining level. A stone kitchen fitted with Miele appliances steps down towards the view, incorporating an integrated refrigerator and freezer and a built-in breakfast bar positioned to overlook the harbour.

The adjoining formal dining room opens through a bi-fold wall to a landscaped side courtyard. A substantial living room, anchored by a gas fireplace, also connects to the main terrace, creating a continuous relationship between the interior, gardens and water.

An electrically operated roof allows the terrace to be used in different weather conditions, while automated internal blinds and ducted airconditioning add to the home’s extensive technology and comfort features.

Outside, the entertaining areas continue around a swimming pool and spa. A built-in barbecue, steam room and generous terraces give the property the atmosphere of a private resort, with the beach only steps away.

The accommodation has been arranged to suit a large or multigenerational household.

Four bedroom suites occupy an upper level, while the main bedroom commands an entire floor. The private retreat includes sweeping harbour views, a large walk-in wardrobe and a luxurious ensuite.

On the lower level, a billiard room and bar are accompanied by two bedrooms and a bathroom. A separate self-contained studio provides further flexibility for extended family, guests or live-in staff.

The residence also includes a private home office, yoga room and extensive storage—features that allow it to function as both a secluded family home and a large-scale entertaining destination.

Sustainability and energy resilience have also been incorporated through solar panels and a Tesla battery.

Despite its rare waterfront setting, the property remains close to the conveniences of the lower Northern Beaches. Bus services are approximately 450 metres away, while Balgowlah Village, local schools and North Harbour Reserve are within easy reach. Manly is about three kilometres from the home.

The sale underlines the scarcity premium attached to Sydney homes combining substantial land, direct beach access and uninterrupted harbour views.

Balgowlah Heights has a median house value of about $4.23 million, according to PropTrack data displayed on realestate.com.au. At more than four times that figure, the Beatty Street result sits in a different tier from the suburb’s conventional prestige market.

Its price is also $6.65 million above the $10.85 million paid for neighbouring 30 Beatty Street in December 2025.

While conventional luxury features helped support the result, the defining asset is one that cannot be readily replicated: a private rear gate opening directly onto Forty Baskets Beach.

Docklands first hotel branded penthouse seeks to break $20 million

Melbourne’s first hotel-branded penthouse has hit the market, with Docklands luxury tipped to test the city’s $20 million ceiling.