A Cliffside Manor With A Modern Refresh
An updated slice of history with a luxury French twist and unique water views.
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Privately positioned cliffside 8 Gap Road, Watsons Bay offers expansive views of the city’s twinkling harbour, via a former 1920s Masonic Lodge that has been reimagined and delivered to luxurious modern standards by renowned architects Weir Phillips.
Dream living all year — through arguably the perfect new year’s eve party pad — the 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home boasts a tangible sense of airiness and ease as driven by stately proportions and 5-metre ceilings across open plan living areas, bespoke arched windows connecting not only to history but the literal inside to outflow.
The finishes throughout are impeccable and unique, with 200-year-old French parquetry flooring paired to a Calacatta marble kitchen that’s fitted with Gaggenau appliances and an elongated, showpiece, marble benchtop for dining.
The upper level, accessible by private lift, sees the five large bedrooms each fitted with under-floor heating and Perrin & Rowe marble ensuites in each as well as a separate self-contained guest level.
The master suite comprises a dressing room larger than most Paddington boutiques (what’s left of them) and more views over Sydney Harbour.
Outdoors feature a covered entertaining area as well as a separate balcony space with in-built outdoor kitchen. There’s also a rebuilt Egyptian limestone pool with William Dangar designed gardens completing the space.
Parking for two cars is secured by an electronic gate, security and camera system. The house sits within a two-minute stroll of Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel, Robertson Park and known restaurants such as Doyle’s and Dunbar House.
The listing is with Michael Pallier of Sotheby’s Sydney, +61 417 371 544; POA.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
The insurance premium gap between flood affected and non-flood affected homes is significant
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Climate change is already affecting home values due to the impact of more severe weather events and rising home insurance premiums, and the cost of building is likely to rise as regulatory changes designed to enhance climate resilience alter building codes and zoning laws, according to a new report.
The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council describes climate change as an emerging trend that is raising the cost and complexity of supplying more housing. In its newly released State of the Housing System report, the council discusses how climate change is reducing the value of some homes when major weather events cause flooding or other natural disasters.
“The price differential between flood-affected and non-flood affected homes has been estimated to be up to 35 percent a year after a flooding event,” the report says. “Furthermore, the RBA estimates around 7.5 percent of properties are in areas that could experience price falls of at least 5 percent due to climate change by 2050.”
More than one million households are struggling to afford home insurance, and rates of non-insurance are increasing due to the cost. For example, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission estimated that 40 percent of homes in Northern Western Australia were uninsured in 2020.
“Climate change is causing home insurance premiums to rise across Australia, adding to already elevated housing costs. Homeowners in areas considered at–risk of natural disasters are expected to see insurance premiums rise further or have difficulty obtaining insurance due to heightened risks.”
More frequent and severe weather events such as cyclones and bushfires, as well as coastal erosion and flooding from rising sea levels, present risks to housing safety. More than 3,000 homes were lost in the 2019-20 bushfire season, causing $2.3 billion in insurance losses. The report says the predicted direct cost of natural disasters to the economy and housing will be $35.2 billion per year by 2050.
Climate change and net-zero targets could raise the cost of building new homes, the report says. “Regulatory changes to enhance climate resilience will alter building codes and zoning regulations.
Developers facing higher compliance costs may have difficulties meeting updated standards, potentially delaying or reducing housing availability.”
However, the report says the increased cost of building a home with climate-resistant materials and eco-friendly features is more than offset by lower energy costs over a property’s lifetime. The current minimum energy efficiency requirements within the National Construction Code are estimated to deliver a household–level benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.37, according to the report.
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
Consumers are going to gravitate toward applications powered by the buzzy new technology, analyst Michael Wolf predicts
