Sydney’s Hidden Chateau: Bellevue Hill’s Regal Landmark on the Market
Beyond its romantically Roman facade, this Sydney ‘palace’ is about as unique as they come.
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Sydney isn’t known for its castles, but Chateau de Benelong is a local landmark with a difference. The regal seven-bedroom 1970s residence with its Roman archways and Greek columns stands tall among its neighbouring contemporary homes on Benelong Cres in Bellevue Hill.
The eastern suburbs palace was created by award-winning designer Lesley Santy in the neo-classical style. Santy wasn’t known for architecture, but did win a gold medal in the 1957 international furniture exhibition in Milan.
Benelong Crescent’s landmark property stood largely untouched for decades before getting an extensive custom renovation in 2011 by former owners Nare Elio and Makedonka Del-Ben of the Big Dig Build Group. The pair had paid $3.67 million for it in 2009 and set about adding a pool, a pavilion, a home theatre and wine cellar.
It was back on the market by 2012 with a $7.5 million price guide, but ended up selling for $4.995 million. The chateau last exchanged hands in 2015 for $5.9 million.
Fast forward a decade, and Bellevue Hill is now home to Australia’s most expensive property according to Domain’s December House Price Report showing a median sale price of $8.51 million.
Today, the home described as “one of Sydney’s most iconic residences” has resurfaced with price expectations of $13 million to $15 million via Paul Biller and Ben Torban of Biller Property – the agency behind the sale a decade ago.
The impressive three-storey home is a blend of European style and theatrical Hollywood grandeur.
Thanks to its elevated position, Chateau de Benelong has sweeping views over the harbour from a variety of vantage points.
Across the ground floor there are several living spaces for casual and more formal entertaining, as well as wide north and south-facing terraces to follow the sun all year long. Throughout the grand home there are stylish interiors including grand hallways, high ceilings and a series of iconic arched windows which open out to private terraces.
This ground floor layout is home to two kitchens with a separate wing suitable for guest or staff accommodation. The primary kitchen has been reimagined in a French Provincial style with an adjoining outdoor kitchen and Travertine terrace for alfresco gatherings. Beyond the barbecue area, the yard has a heated mosaic-tiled pool and landscaped gardens.
There is even more space for entertaining in style with a poolside cabana, a lower level rumpus room or home theatre plus a gym or yoga room.
Up on the accommodation level a main bedroom suite has a dressing room, a large ensuite and balcony, while four more bedrooms on the same level have Travertine ensuites or balcony access.
Additional features include internal access to a four-car garage, a wine cellar, ducted air-conditioning and DA approval for a rooftop terrace capitalising on harbour views.
Chateau de Benelong is positioned close to sought after schools, popular harbour beaches, Bondi Beach, Double Bay shopping, and the Rose Bay ferry wharf.
Bellevue Hill’s Chateau de Benelong is listed with Paul Biller of Biller Property with a $13 million to $15 million price guide.
A haven for hedge-fund titans and Hollywood grandees, Greenwich is one of the world’s most expensive residential enclaves, where eye-watering prices meet unapologetic grandeur.
Rugged coastal drives and fireside drams define a slow, indulgent journey through Scotland’s far north.
Mount French Lodge offers a rare mix of privacy, scale and hospitality potential as demand grows for prestige estates beyond beachside hotspots.
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Mount French Lodge, one of the most remarkable private estates in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, has been brought to market, offering a glimpse into the growing appetite for high-end lifestyle properties beyond the state’s traditional beachside enclaves.
Located in the tiny locality of Charlwood, around 100km inland from Brisbane and home to just 146 residents at the 2021 Census, the estate stands in stark contrast to its quiet surroundings. Set across nearly 100 acres and positioned some 600 feet above sea level, the property occupies a commanding vantage point beneath the escarpments of Mount French.
It’s this combination of elevation, scale and seclusion that defines the estate, not just as a private residence, but as an experience-led destination. Mount French Lodge has been recognised in both the 2024 and 2025 Best of Queensland Experiences, reflecting a broader shift towards luxury rural retreats that blur the line between home, hospitality and investment.
Last sold for $3.65 million in 2021 to Brisbane-based entrepreneur Tim Woodhouse, the estate has since evolved into a multifaceted holding. At its core is a central lodge, complemented by guest accommodation, entertaining spaces and resort-style amenities spread across two distinct plateaus.
In total, the property comprises 12 bedrooms configured across eight self-contained apartments within multiple lodges. At its heart is the Great Room, a central gathering space anchored by a large living area and fireplace. Nearby, a fully equipped outdoor pavilion with barbecue facilities sits alongside the estate’s swimming pool.
The property is being marketed as a private compound, ranch, corporate retreat and a wedding venue, highlighting its potential as a lifestyle asset with income-generating capability. This kind of flexibility is increasingly resonating with buyers, particularly as demand grows for properties that can serve as multigenerational homes, wellness retreats or boutique accommodation offerings.
Despite its sense of isolation, Mount French Lodge remains within relatively easy reach of Brisbane, around an hour by road or just minutes by helicopter. That balance of accessibility and privacy underscores the broader appeal of the Scenic Rim, which continues to emerge as a quiet achiever in Queensland’s prestige property market.
The listing is being handled by Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty agents Sandy Davies and Nicholas Miranda, and is expected to attract interest from both domestic and international buyers.
Records keep falling in 2025 as harbourfront, beachfront and blue-chip estates crowd the top of the market.
Two coming 2027 models – the first of the “Neue Klasse” cars coming to the U.S. early next year – have been revealed.
