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

Long-term Sydney residents always had handful of not-so-glamourous nicknames for the building on the corner of Cleveland and Baptist Streets straddling Redfern and Surry Hills, but after a modern rebirth that’s all changed.

Once known as “Murder Mall” or “Methadone Mall”, the 1960s-built Surry Hills Shopping Centre was a magnet for colourful characters and questionable behaviour. Today, however, a $500 million facelift of the site — alongside a slow and steady gentrification of the two neighbouring suburbs — the prime corner property has been transformed into a luxury apartment complex Surry Hills Village by developer Toga Group.

The crowning feature of the 122-apartment project is the three-bedroom penthouse, fully completed and just released to market with a $7.5 million price guide.

Measuring 211sqm of internal space, with a 136sqm terrace complete with landscaping, the penthouse is the brand new brainchild of Surry Hills local Adam Haddow, director of architecture at award-winning firm SJB.

Victoria Judge, senior associate and co-interior design lead at SJB says Surry Hills Village sets a new residential benchmark for the southern end of Surry Hills.

“The residential offering is well-appointed, confident, luxe and bohemian. Smart enough to know what makes good living, and cool enough to hold its own amongst design-centric Surry Hills.”

Allan Vidor, managing director of Toga Group, adds that the penthouse is the quintessential jewel in the crown of Surry Hills Village.

“Bringing together a distinct design that draws on the beauty and vibrancy of Sydney; grand spaces and the finest finishes across a significant footprint, located only a stone’s throw away from the exciting cultural hub of Crown St and Surry Hills.”

Created to maximise views of the city skyline and parkland, the top floor apartment has a practical layout including a wide private lobby leading to the main living room, a sleek kitchen featuring Pietra Verde marble and a concealed butler’s pantry Sub-Zero Wolf appliances, full-height Aspen elm joinery panels hiding storage throughout, flamed Saville stone flooring, a powder room, and two car spaces with a personal EV.

All three bedrooms have large wardrobes and ensuites with bathrooms fittings such as freestanding baths, artisan penny tiles, emerald marble surfaces and brushed-nickel accents.

Additional features of the entertainer’s home include leather-bound joinery doors opening to a full wet bar with Sub-Zero wine fridge and Sub-Zero Wolf barbecue.

The Surry Hills Village precinct will open in stages until autumn next year and once complete, Wunderlich Lane will be home to a collection of 25 restaurants and bars plus wellness and boutique retail. The EVE Hotel Sydney will open later in 2024, offering guests an immersive experience in the precinct’s art, culture, and culinary offerings.

The Surry Hills Village penthouse on Baptist is now finished and ready to move into with marketing through Toga Group and inquiries to 1800 554 556.

Prestige Property: 20 Thompson Street, Tamarama, NSW

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

A Sydney site with a questionable past is reborn as a luxe residential environment ideal for indulging in dining out