Burleigh’s New Architectural Gem: A Contemporary Coastal Masterpiece
The reimagining of this Burleigh Heads beach house into a sophisticated designer residence has seen this home transported into the 2020s with class.
2 min
Burleigh Heads is fast becoming an address associated with enviable contemporary architecture, and the latest listing with Ray White Malan & Co fits the designer brief.
Lawyer Jess Fitzgerald bought a classic brick bungalow five years ago and set about transforming the old school property into a modern dream home, only 400m from Burleigh’s coveted coastline.
Recently finished, the near new four-bedroom, three-bathroom residence at 1 Symonds Rd is a stylish take on the 21st century beach house designed by local architect Jayson Pate.
Pate, a former Southport Sharks AFL footballer and a survivor of the 2002 Bali bombings, is making waves as a Gold Coast designer known for his signature use of slab work, curves and free-flowing indoor-outdoor spaces.
Bought in 2020 for $965,000 prior to its epic transformation, the home, on 440sq m, is due to go under the hammer on February 7. In keeping with Queensland regulations regarding auction pricing, there is no guide on offer.
Pleased with the end result, the Fitzgeralds are now moving on with an even greater knockdown rebuild reinvention by Pate nearby.
Inspired by a Palm Springs aesthetic, the Symonds Rd home features a natural earthy colour palette with sophisticated finishes.
Crafted for everyday living that can move effortlessly into glamorous entertaining when the mood strikes, the spacious ground floor layout is home to a sleek kitchen complete with SMEG integrated appliances, a large central island bench, a big butler’s pantry and a stylish arched bar nook incorporating a wine fridge.
With warm oak timber floors throughout, the combined dining and lounge zone spills out to a covered alfresco space that is the perfect gathering place for friends and family. There is an integrated barbecue, manicured low-maintenance gardens, honed concrete surfaces, custom sliding screens, and a refreshing magnesium swimming pool.
Down on the ground floor, the guest bedroom also has a private ensuite, plus a view of the pool and gardens.
Upstairs, a second living space anchors the footprint with two bedrooms featuring walk-in wardrobes and sharing a family-friendly bathroom with a freestanding tub and two handy vanities.
In the palatial main bedroom there is a dressing room, as well as an ensuite with dual showers and basins.
Created with the latest in meticulous design finishes, the home has a convenient mud room with ample storage and bench seating, a powder room with Venetian rendering, a purpose-built desk in the lounge room, ducted air-conditioning, a Hikvision intercom system, and a secure gated entrance with a double car port.
Positioned in the coveted pocket known among real estate agents as the “Burleigh triangle” the house is close to beaches, eateries and bars.
Number 1 Symonds Rd, Burleigh Heads is listed with Ray White Malan & Co agents, Conner Malan on 0419 706 296 and Daniel Donovan on 0431 649 784. The home is to go to auction on February 7.
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Australia’s castles are rare, but this one is real. Built in 1849 and held by the same family for 50 years, Overnewton Castle in Melbourne is now seeking its next custodian.
3 min
Australia’s castles are few and far between, and the opportunity to buy one rarely pops up. There is, however, now a bona fide 35-room chateau for sale in suburban Melbourne.
Listed for the first time in half a century, Overnewton Castle in Keilor, north west of the city, has launched to market through Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a $6 million to $6.6 million price guide.
The 176-year-old Scottish Baronial-style property has been home to the Norton family for the past 50 years, but was originally built for Scottish settler, grazier and former Mayor of Keilor, William James Taylor.
On a sprawling 2.25ha estate surrounded by rolling grounds filled with sculpted gardens and 170-year-old elm trees, the ivy-clad seven-bedroom three-bathroom residence is layered with a blend of Scottish, French and English influences.
Inside the heritage-listed mansion, there is a grand ballroom seating up to 150 guests, a lavish dining room, and a private chapel that was converted from the original billiards room.
Gastroenterologist Dr LJ Norton and his family have invested five decades in Overnewton Castle, partly preserving its period features while also updating the house for the 21st Century. After a devastating fire in 1979, the Nortons upgraded the infrastructure, installed mains water and access roads, and created a 100-vehicle car park.
Many of the 1849 estate’s original features, including drystone walls, period fireplaces and the dramatic western turret – accessed via a 40-step spiral staircase with a mahogany handrail – have been meticulously maintained. Even the turret’s slate “fish scale” roof tiling and ornate wind vane are straight out of the 19th century.
“Overnewton Castle is not just a property; it is our home and a piece of local history that we have cherished for 50 years,” says Norton family member and managing director of Overnewton Castle, Emma Stott.
“Living here, respectfully updating the facilities and operating our business has been a labour of love. As a family, we have created so many fond memories here, as well as played an important role in countless weddings and other events hosted on our grounds.”
In addition to hosting weddings at Overnewton Castle, the Norton and Stott families also run historical tours and high teas on the property.
Cussell says the unique listing represents an opportunity of historical significance. “Overnewton Castle is one of the finest examples of Scottish Baronial architecture in the Southern Hemisphere and an ideal setting for a private residence, luxury retreat, education facility or event venue,” he explains.
“It represents a rare convergence of architectural grandeur, cultural heritage and enduring family legacy. The listing truly is an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of Australian history.”
Overnewton’s cultural footprint reaches beyond local tourism, with the castle making its mark in Australian cinema. It played a role as the fictional Monclare mansion in the 1982 cult horror film Next of Kin.
Earlier this year, the period Victoria Racing Club nominated property to display the Melbourne Cup during its prestigious Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, and in 2024, the site was also a finalist in the Victorian Tourism Awards.
Beyond the grand residence, there are several restored outbuildings suitable for entertaining or accommodation, including The Stables for up ten guests, The Loft which sleeps eight, The Cottage that accommodates six, and The Cabin with space for four people.
The stately address is soon to become even better connected with the forthcoming Suburban Rail Loop and Sunshine Superhub infrastructure projects, improving access to the city. Overnewton is about 20kms from Melbourne’s CBD and 8kms from Melbourne Airport.
Overnewton Castle is listed with Sean Cussell of Christie’s International Real Estate with a price guide of $6 million to $6.6 million. The expressions of interest campaign closes on November 21 at 3 pm.
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