Beachfront Queensland Mansion With Drive-In Foyer Lists For $6.8 Million
There’s also a saltwater aquarium, a soundproof office and views of the Great Barrier Reef.
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A contemporary waterfront megamansion with a drive-in foyer, a lionfish-stocked saltwater aquarium and direct access to the beach hit the market Monday with a guide price of $6.8 million.
Located in Kewarra Beach — which is part of the Cairns northern beaches region of Queensland—the residence is expected to set a record for the most expensive home in the area, according to listing agent Barbara Wolveridge of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty.
“The highest sale price [in the region] is $6.5 million and we anticipate exceeding that price with the Astoria House sale which has a price guide of $6.8 million,” she said in an email. “With the buyers’ interest that we have received to date, we anticipate establishing a new benchmark sale for the region.”
Designed by Los Angeles-based architect Andy Hall, the more than 1050sqm abode was commissioned by restaurant entrepreneur Alistair Paton and his wife, Theresa, and completed in 2018. They purchased the underlying property in 2009 for A$1.3 million, according to records on PropTrack.
The glass-and-steel home was designed to maximize views of Double Island and beyond to the Great Barrier Reef. In fact, it has the largest glass window in the southern hemisphere and it is manufactured with bulletproof glass, according to Mr. Paton. The couple also installed an array of impressive amenities, starting with the foyer, which boasts drive-in capabilities and room to display a car collection.
“People [are] instantly wowed when they walk through the front door and see the massive steel-and-glass curtain wall,” Mr Paton said in an email. “Everyone wonders how it was built, how long it took and how we got the materials to the building site. They also love the Ducati inside, the extensive art gallery walls and the vintage Alfa Romeo that we used to have parked inside.”
The saltwater aquarium is another highlight.
“We have lionfish, an epaulette shark, stonefishes, Picasso triggerfish, and a dog-faced puffer,” Mr Paton continued. “I wanted a tank with a blue-ringed octopus and leopard sharks, however, that was sensibly tempered given our young children enjoying feeding the fish.”
The home has five bedrooms, including two primary bedroom suites which are “like little houses in themselves,” Ms. Paton said in an email. “I love the oversized balconies. In winter, we sleep with the balcony doors open. There’s nothing like seeing the stars at night and falling asleep to the sound of waves then waking up to a beach view in the morning. What a way to start the day!”
Other amenities include a soundproof office, solar panels, a concert-grade sound system “suitable to host a Rolling Stones concert or a solo violinist” and an outdoor entertaining area with a pool and sports fields. The home also has direct access to the beach and the paved walking trail that extends along the Coral Seas coastline.
Reprinted by permission of Mansion Global. Copyright 2021 Dow Jones & Company. Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Original date of publication: June 15, 2022.
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There’s no shortage of design inspiration online but nothing beats the joy of spending an afternoon immersing yourself in a good interior design book. Edited, carefully curated and, above all, designed, these titles take you behind the scenes of some of the world’s most beautiful interiors in a considered way. Think of it like the difference between listening to a few tunes on Spotify versus releasing a thoughtfully crafted studio album. We’ve assembled our top six of interior design books on the market right now for your viewing and reading pleasure.
1. Interiors beyond the primary palette
Step inside the world of award-winning interior design duo Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke in this, their first compendium of their work. A ‘best of’ over more than 15 years working together, it’s a masterclass in working with colour and pattern as seen through 18 projects from around the country. With a focus on the idea of home as sanctuary, this hefty tome offers insight into the mind of the designer with points on where to find inspiration, meeting client briefs and the importance of relationships. Thames & Hudson, $120
2 House of Joy
If there was ever a book title for our times, then this is it. With a subtitle of Playful Homes and Cheerful Living, this book champions fun in interior design, with bold and bright homes from around the world to delight and inspire. While there’s a good dose of the unexpected, like a disco ball in the garden, there’s no mayhem in these spaces. Instead, they’re beautifully executed to tempt even the most colour shy. Gestalten, $105
3. Abigail Ahern Masterclass
Some design books are beautiful to look at, and that’s it. This is not one of those books. A master of colour and pattern, UK designer Ahern offers a practical foundational guide to beautiful interiors, mixing form with function in her latest book, Masterclass. Find the inspiration you need to create a gorgeous home. HarperCollins, $65
4. Interiors Now!
Looking for a visual crash course in international design trends with longevity? This is the book for you. Featuring homes across the globe, from New York to Auckland via Avignon, the biggest dilemma for readers is settling on a style. Many of the projects are owned by designers and creatives, lending a dynamic edge to this tome, now in its 40th year. Taschen, $50
5. Home by the Sea
For many Australians, the ocean holds an almost hypnotic appeal. Home by the Sea by Natalie Walton lets you imagine, for a little while at least, what it’s like living the dream in a beach shack in Byron Bay. The book tours 18 homes in and around the region and the hinterland owned by artists, designers and makers. With photography by Amelia Fullarton, it champions the good life. Hardie Grant, $60
6. The Layered Interior
Released last year, this is the third volume from award-winning interior designer Greg Natale. Different in format from his earlier books, the eight projects featured are Australian but with a slight Euro-centric focus. The writing is conversational, almost intimate, inviting the reader into the most luxurious spaces beautifully captured by photographer Anson Smart. This coffee table tome is perfect for dreamers and doers alike. Rizzoli, $110
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