Heesen’s 57-metre Project Setteesettanta puts the owner on a deck of their own

When experienced owners return to the same shipyard, the brief often becomes more exacting. Heesen’s Project Setteesettanta, a 57-metre full-custom aluminium yacht built for returning clients, reflects that progression: greater privacy, cleaner circulation and the freedom to reach shallower anchorages.

The yacht, known by its build number YN 20857, has launched at Heesen’s Oss shipyard in the Netherlands. Exterior design is by Omega Architects, with interiors by Cristiano Gatto Design. Across four decks, the defining decision is to dedicate an entire level to the owners.

That layout changes the social hierarchy on board. Rather than placing an owner’s suite within a shared accommodation deck, it creates a private domain removed from guest circulation. For long periods aboard, particularly with family or charter-style entertaining, that separation can be more valuable than simply increasing cabin dimensions.

Aluminium construction supports the yacht’s relatively light, performance-oriented character. Heesen lists a maximum speed of 18 knots — enough to shorten passages between destinations while preserving the refinement expected of a 57-metre vessel. A draught of about 2.3 metres expands potential cruising grounds and anchoring choices compared with deeper yachts of similar volume.

The shallow draught is not merely a technical statistic. It can materially affect how owners experience a coastline, allowing closer approaches to beaches, islands and bays that would otherwise require a long tender transfer. For a yacht designed around private use, that flexibility makes the platform feel more connected to the water.

Omega Architects’ exterior work gives the vessel a long, low visual line, while Gatto’s interiors remain largely a private matter until fuller photography is released. The most successful custom yachts use design to make complex crew, service and guest movements appear effortless. Project Setteesettanta’s four-deck plan will be judged on precisely that balance.

Its launch begins another intensive phase rather than marking completion. Outfitting, commissioning, trials and final delivery remain, and performance claims should be treated as shipyard targets until verified in operation.

For prospective owners, the project’s relevance lies in its priorities. The industry often celebrates length, but Setteesettanta shows a more mature form of luxury: privacy through planning, cruising access through naval architecture and a highly specific response to how repeat owners actually spend time aboard.

Fact box

– Yacht: Project Setteesettanta, YN 20857
– Builder: Heesen Yachts
– Length: 57 metres
– Construction: Full-custom aluminium
– Exterior: Omega Architects
– Interior: Cristiano Gatto Design
– Decks: Four, including private owner’s deck
– Maximum speed: 18 knots stated
– Draught: Approximately 2.3 metres stated

A newly completed waterfront residence in Rose Bay has emerged as the latest test of Sydney’s trophy-home market, with the property reportedly carrying expectations of $100 million.

Set on around 830 sqm at 2A Bayview Hill Road, the five-level home occupies a secluded position overlooking Sydney Harbour. Its 180-degree outlook moves from Rose Bay Beach across the city skyline and Harbour Bridge to the North Shore, with glass used extensively throughout the house to keep the view at the centre of the interiors.

The property has been listed following a four-year construction program undertaken for developer Stuart Rose and his wife, Irina. The couple has reportedly decided to relocate overseas, bringing the newly finished home to market with Michael Pallier of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty and Brad Pillinger of Pillinger.

The site has a notable history. Easybeats lead guitarist and songwriter Harry Vanda and his wife, Robyn, bought the waterfront holding for $667,500 in 1983. They later built a substantial brick residence on the property and retained it for more than three decades.

The Vandas sold the site to the Roses for $15.5 million in February 2015. That transaction provides a striking starting point for the property’s transformation: the earlier house has since made way for an entirely new residence designed around its direct harbour position.

The main living floor is arranged as a sequence of open spaces framed by extensive glazing and marble. A broad balcony extends the entertaining area towards the water, while a sheltered internal courtyard with custom banquette seating offers a more protected outdoor setting.

The principal kitchen combines a large marble island with concealed appliances. A separate butler’s kitchen adds two Wolf ovens and an integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, allowing large-scale entertaining to operate without overtaking the main room.

Accommodation includes four ensuite bedrooms, with the main suite opening to a balcony and incorporating a large dressing room. An office and upper lounge can be adapted as a further bedroom suite, while the top level has the flexibility to function as a self-contained apartment with its own kitchenette.

The scale of the entertainment spaces becomes clearer on the lower levels. A dedicated wine lounge incorporates a temperature-controlled cellar, fireplace and bar. Elsewhere, a cinema with custom seating sits alongside music, library and games areas, supported by a third full kitchen.

The wellness component is described as a fitness centre rather than simply a gym. It includes a spa zone and waterfront lounge, with marble foundations already prepared should a future owner wish to add a steam room and sauna.

Outside, a mosaic-tiled heated infinity pool and spa are positioned above a level lawn and sun deck. A covered terrace contains a built-in gaucho grill, while the harbourside loggia and boathouse sit at the water’s edge with an outdoor shower and steps descending directly into the harbour.

A lift connects all five levels. Other inclusions extend to hydronic heating beneath marble floors, ducted air-conditioning, integrated sound, Control4 automation, CCTV, irrigation, solar panels and battery backup. A long gated driveway leads to garaging for three cars, including a stacker, with a forecourt and turning circle.

The reported $100 million expectation places the campaign, being run by conjunctional agents Michael Pallier from Sydney Sotheby’s and Brad Pillinger from Pillinger, within rare company. Only a small number of Sydney houses have crossed that threshold, including the Point Piper estates Fairwater, Elaine and UIG Lodge. A few doors down is the Bayview Hill Road home that sold for just over $83 million earlier this year to billionaires Alex and Vanessa Birkenstock, of the German leather sandal-family.

The listing arrives ahead of the Spring rush for trophy homes in Sydney’s premium harbourside pockets. Kanebridge recently featured Radford, the historic Wolseley Road waterfront home listed with an $85 million guide, followed by Deauville at 16 Longworth Avenue, which is seeking between $85 million and $90 million.

Property summary

– Address: 2A Bayview Hill Road, Rose Bay, NSW
– Price expectation: Reportedly $100 million
– Land: Approximately 830sqm
– Residence: Newly completed, five-level absolute-waterfront home
– Accommodation: Four ensuite bedrooms plus flexible fifth-bedroom or self-contained upper-level accommodation
– Key interiors: Main marble kitchen, butler’s kitchen, third kitchen, cinema, wine lounge and temperature-controlled cellar
– Wellness: Gym and spa zone, with provision for a steam room and sauna
– Waterfront: Heated infinity pool and spa, level lawn, harbourside loggia, boathouse and direct harbour access
– Parking: Triple garage including stacker, plus forecourt and turning circle
– Technology: Control4 automation, CCTV, integrated sound, solar panels and battery backup
– Previous sale: $15.5 million in February 2015
– Selling agents: Michael Pallier, Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty; Brad Pillinger, Pillinger