Property of the week: 52 Wendell Street, Norman Park, Queensland

It launched with fanfare earlier in the year at an exclusive black tie event with entertainment by top violinist Yena Choi, but the head-turning Gill House — named after its form resembling a shark’s gills — has only now surfaced for sale with an expressions of interest campaign.

The unique four-bedroom riverside residence has become a local landmark and talking point since developer Max Panettiere first planned the unique design. Despite its notoriety, the house nearly didn’t come to fruition after Brisbane City Council originally rejecting the plans, declaring them in “extreme conflict” with neighbours. Panetierre eventually appealed, and won, in the Planning and Environment court.

Panettiere forged ahead, and the iconic pre-cast concrete home was born on the banks of the Brisbane River in Norman Park with sweeping views of New Farm Park and the city.

Within its striking concrete skeleton, the four-level floor plan features curved internal lines, wave-inspired ceilings, full-height windows and marble accents, as well as engineered oak and polished concrete floors.

Light plays across the ‘gills’ of this extraordinary property in Brisbane.

Created to be a great entertainer, the ground floor at Gill House is dedicated to open plan living and dining with a seamless flow to the alfresco spaces and the riverfront. The jagged “gills”create a striking framework for the water views and a 6.3m void adds to the drama. A designer chandelier illuminates bespoke joinery and a marble-clad gas fireplace.

Grand sliding doors open to a riverside terrace and an infinity-edge swimming pool surrounded by an enviable backdrop overlooking the Brisbane River and established gardens down to a private pontoon.

With all the ingredients for an ultimate party pad, the gourmet kitchen has a vast stone island bench, Gaggenau appliances, and a fully equipped butler’s pantry.

Down on the basement level, a designer den features a huge media room with an adjoining sauna and powder room.

The top two floors are home to all four bedrooms including three on the first floor, each with ensuites and built-ins. One suite doubles as a home office complete with private wraparound balcony.

The crowning glory of Gill House is its palatial top floor primary suite with river views through the “gills” as well as a covered balcony, a lavish dressing room and a marble ensuite with a circular bath perfectly placed below a matching skylight.

Gill House, Norman Park is close to sought after schools, Brisbane’s CBD, Bulimba’s popular eateries and boutiques as well as the Howard Smith Wharves retail precinct.

A price guide has not been revealed for this property. Gill House is on the market with Place New Farm with an expressions of interest closing at 4pm on September 25.

A Byron Bay hinterland trophy home that once starred on Love Island Australia has resurfaced for sale after making a brief appearance on the market last year.

Amileka in Federal, 24kms from the famous shores of Byron Bay, was listed for a short time in July with a guide of more than $8m, but is now asking $7m to $7.7m with Sotheby’s agent Will Phillips via an expressions of interest campaign, closing on March 12, at 5pm.

The contemporary homestead on 10ha last sold for $9.5 million during the regional post-pandemic boom in 2022. Since then, the iconic house has been earning its owners thousands of dollars a night as a glamorous short term rental.

Built in 2008, Amileka took home the Australian Institute of Architects (NSW country division) Architecture Award in the same year. The minimalist design on secluded Blackbean Lane was crafted by architect owner Sharon Fraser and her husband, Steve Esson.

Tom Lane, of the Oroton fashion family empire and his stylist wife Emma, then bought Amileka for $4 million in 2011. They sold up in 2015 for $3.5 million to the Johnson family, who offered up the compound to feature as the Love Island home for the Channel 9 dating show’s third season in 2017.

Later, in 2022, the remote residence was snapped up by Mikaela Lancaster, Spotify Australia managing director, and her husband Mark Britt, founder of video-streaming platform Iflix. Lancaster and Britt are now seeking Amileka’s next custodians.

The main home has a large sunken lounge room and a spacious dining zone seamlessly connected to the gourmet kitchen and multiple outdoor terraces. In the designer gas kitchen there are stone surfaces including a big island bench, and a discreet but large butler’s pantry.

Created for grand scale outdoor entertaining, Amileka’s alfresco options include a central courtyard, level lawns with rolling district views punctuated by ancient Black Bean, fig and pandanus trees, plus an 18m by 5m pool and a fire pit.

Internally, the house features a stately formal entry, honed concrete floors with solar hydronic heating, bespoke cabinetry, walls of windows to capture the leafy outlook, a dedicated media room, and five bedrooms.

Off the primary suite there is a large walk-in wardrobe, an ensuite with bidet and a private hot tub, plus the house has two more family-friendly bathrooms.

Additionally, the estate also has a three-bedroom caretaker’s cottage with its own swimming pool.

Famous for its legendary lush vistas, untouched rainforest and waterfalls, the Byron Hinterland is also known for picturesque sleepy villages such as Bangalow and eclectic fine dining options.

Federal is home to a small general store, the popular Doma Cafe, and is approximately a 25-minute drive from Byron Bay, 35 minutes to Ballina Airport and 50 minutes to Coolangatta International Airport.

Amileka in the Byron Bay hinterland is for sale with Sotheby’s International Realty via an expressions of interest campaign, closing on March 12, 5pm.

Property of the week: 52 Wendell Street, Norman Park, Queensland

Award-winning Byron hinterland estate Amileka returns to market, blending architectural pedigree, celebrity history and lucrative luxury retreat appeal.