MONA VALE BEACH HOUSE WITH RARE DIRECT BEACH ACCESS HITS THE MARKET

A beautifully renovated New South Wales home in a never-to-be-built-out location by the beach is on the market.

The property at 61 Hillcrest Avenue, Mona Vale, in New South Wales, has a price guide of $7.5+ million and is being marketed by Ray White Northern Beaches agents Emma Blake and Sasha de Bilde.

The property is set to go to auction on October 26.

Ms Blake said the “historic home” with direct beach access was set at the end of a cul-de-sac in one of Mona Vale’s most prestigious streets.

“The property is in a never-to-be-built-out position and there are large open plan living spaces looking out to Mona Vale Beach and beyond,” she said.

“The elevated position offers uninterrupted 270-degree views across Mona Vale Beach, the ocean horizon, and surrounding headlands – with expansive open-plan living spaces designed to embrace the coastal lifestyle.”

The home was once owned by local surf entrepreneur Shane Stedman, founder of Shane Surfboards and credited with popularising the Ugg boot in Australia.

Over the years, the property became something of a local icon – hosting several well-known guests, including Richard Branson.

In 2021, the home was purchased by Justin Riddett and his family, who were living in Singapore at the time.

Together with design firm Whitney & Co and Northern Beaches Constructions, the owners undertook a major renovation that transformed the home into a contemporary beachside haven while preserving its original character.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home features a high-quality build with thoughtful architectural enhancements, blending timeless coastal charm with modern functionality.

The renovation was led by Julie Fisk of Whitney & Co and Elliot Ryan of Northern Beaches Constructions, in close collaboration with the owners.

“From the outset, we wanted to honour the spirit of the home while elevating it to a new standard,” Mr Riddett said.

“The result is something truly special – a place where our family has thrived and connected deeply with the beach and community.”

While the family is ready to downsize, Mr Riddett said the lifestyle will be hard to leave behind.

“Most days the kids and I go to the beach after school – there’s no road to cross,” he said.

“For us, this house was about the kids, and I think it would best suit another family who can enjoy its location just like we have.”

The property’s location is unmatched – one of the few homes in the entire Northern Beaches with direct beach access and panoramic views, he said.

Australia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.

The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.

Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.

Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.

The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.

The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.

Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.

“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.

“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”

Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.

The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.

According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.

Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.

The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.

MONA VALE BEACH HOUSE WITH RARE DIRECT BEACH ACCESS HITS THE MARKET

This four bedroom coastal classic has been remade for modern living, delivering 270 degree ocean views and rare direct beach access.

Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.