Prestige Property: 20 Thompson Street, Tamarama, NSW

Superlatives are often bandied around in property with little substance. Yet here, in the highly sought-after cul-de-sac end of Thompson Street, overlooking the glamorous Tamarama beach comes a truly unique home.

Designed by award-winning architect Andrew Baroukh, this 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom, 5-car parking home is a rare opportunity to secure a contemporary family sanctuary, minutes from Sydney’s most covetable waters.

Set atop 525sqm of level beachside land, the three-storey home blends seamlessly into its natural surrounds through the extravagant use of glass showing both the coastal views and the sandstone on which the home is built. This is paired with the heady use of limestone floors — fully heated throughout the home — and exposed concrete beams creating a light, calming, neutral palette in the residence.

The open, gleaming upper level of the home sees the seamlessly connected living, dining and kitchen spaces which open out to the terrace via an astonishing 3-metre tall, curved sliding door custom-engineered by A&G and built to cyclone standards.

The kitchen is fitted with custom joinery and sees European appliances and a 5-metre single piece stainless steel benchtop.

The home’s lowest level sees a double lock-up garage paired with a laundry and wet bar (complete with wine storage), a living area and spare bedroom. It’s here one side of the property is flanked by a glass feature that showcases the sandstone.

This area leads outside to the unique garden with level lawn and sundrenched saltwater heated pool, covered entertaining area and built-in barbecue.

From here one can either take the Domus lift, which services each floor, or the polished concrete staircase to the entry-level which houses the accommodation.

It’s here one finds the master suite which is complete by an expansive ensuite, finished with Boyd Alternatives bathtub and vanities and custom joinery that extends into the walk-in dresser.

Further, this level sees another bathroom, a study and two bedrooms. While other mod-cons include a ducted vacuum system, zoned air conditioning and a Sonos sound system throughout the home.

The listing is with Goodyer Real Estate’s Pauline Goodyer (+61 411 521 888), and while there is no price guide given for this home Robb Report understands the recent sale of the 27 Thompson Street for $25.5 million is being referenced. Goodyer.com.au

Legend has it that opera icon Dame Nellie Melba performed in the minstrels’ gallery and current-day hitmaker Tones and I filmed a music video at Noorilim estate. The high profile property has even been the breeding ground for multiple Melbourne Cup winners including 1910 champion, Comedy King, who was laid to rest within the grounds.

In 1998, prominent art dealer and entrepreneur behind Menzies International, the late Rod Menzies and his wife Carolyn, bought Noorilim for $3.325 million and set about restoring the Italianate mansion to its former glory.

Today, the 65ha property in the heart of the Goulburn Valley is on the market for only the third time in the past 50 years via Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a price guide of $15m.

During the Menzies’ ownership, the glamorous country estate was a venue for weddings, concerts, and private events, welcoming a long list of international guests. Chart-topping artist Tones and I filmed the video for her song Bad Child at the estate, and the period property has played its part in numerous films and television series. Singer and actor Ted Hamilton, known for roles in Division 4, Homicide, The Love Boat, M*A*S*H and Hawaii Five-O, was also a regular performer at the address.

Given its stately grandeur, Noorilim was even a successful auction centre for fine art with works by Brett Whiteley, Sidney Nolan and Jeffrey Smart sold under the hammer at the property.

Built in 1879 by celebrated architect James Gall for parliamentarian William Winter-Irving, Noorilim is a prime example of post-Gold Rush prosperity in Victoria. At the time of its construction in the mid to late-1800s, Australia had been labelled one of the richest nations on earth and Melbourne’s monied elite were spilling out of the city looking to build country estates to rival those in Great Britain. The nouveau riche began commissioning lavish ornamental houses shadowing the Gothic, Italianate and Queen Anne designs of Europe.

Noorilim’s facade is a striking example of this “boom style” architecture featuring an asymmetrical tower, ornate balustrades and grand arched loggias that frame sweeping views of the estate’s manicured grounds.

Inside, the vast 1022sq m residence has 5m ceilings and lavish period features, including 15 fireplaces, seven staircases, and intricate Corinthian columns.

At the heart of the mansion its grand hall has Minton tiles imported from England and laid by Italian artisans who were shipped out specifically for the job. There is a turret lookout, a billiard room, 10 bedrooms, four bathrooms, an office and grand formal rooms such as a lounge, library and dining room all with expansive windows showcasing views of the gardens and vineyard.

Noorilim’s name is derived from the Indigenous Yorta Yorta language and means “place of many reeds” reflecting the estate’s connection to its natural surroundings. Complementing Gall’s vision, renowned landscape designer William Guilfoyle — who worked on Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens — crafted Noorilim’s standout gardens.

The grounds are home to echidnas, kangaroos and koalas, more than 300 mature trees including ancient Moreton Bay figs, a rose garden with a central fountain, an ornamental lake, a boathouse, and even a private beach on the banks of Goulburn River. There is also an extensive wine cellar, numerous outbuildings and barns, as well as a heritage-listed water tower. The working vineyard produces Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet, and Merlot grape varieties.

Noorilim, near Nagambie, is 150kms north east of Melbourne at 205 Wahring Murchison East Rd, Wahring. The property is listed with Sean Cussell from Christie’s International Real

Prestige Property: 20 Thompson Street, Tamarama, NSW

Elevated beachside living in one of Sydney’s most coveted locations.

An architectural jewel of Victoria’s Goulburn Valley, the Noorilim Estate stands as one of Australia’s most extraordinary Italianate mansions.