Property of the week: Penthouse, 601/12 Baptist St, Redfern
A Sydney site with a questionable past is reborn as a luxe residential environment ideal for indulging in dining out
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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.
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Tuscan elegance and Hollywood glamour come face to face in the Sunshine Coast’s coveted hinterland with the award-winning Château Immanuel.
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Created by the current owners Helene and Nick Van Der Merwe, the European-inspired five-bedroom mansion was listed a year ago but has just resurfaced with an $11 million price guide through Melissa Schembri and Daniel Rees of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty.
An iconic estate behind a secure gated entry, the 1340sq m property features a long tree-lined driveway leading up to a stately turning circle and grand water feature, manicured lawns, ornamental gardens and a private lake.
Unfolding across one of the hinterland’s most tightly held pockets, the landmark residence was even crowned the Master Builders Sunshine Coast House of the Year upon its completion in 2012.
Château Immanuel was a two-year labour of love for the pair. Mrs Van Der Merwe said the couple, who have decided to relocate to a cattle farm, will miss the home’s year-round versatility.
“I’ll miss the serenity for sure. When the gate closes behind you, the busy world is left behind. It’s private and quiet, our own little bubble of paradise. In winter, I enjoy sitting in front of our bedroom fireplace with a good novel, chocolates, and red wine. In summer, I love being outside on the patio, sharing fabulous food and laughter with friends,” she said, adding that the house is a great entertainer inside and out.
“It’s grand and spacious, yet warm, comfortable, and inviting. Everyone loves dancing under the stars,” she said.
Hand-picked finishes include Italian flagstone flooring, Portuguese limestone fireplaces, ceiling roses imported from the US and French chandeliers.
The residence’s main wing has a dramatic foyer with 9m ceilings, which opens through to multiple formal and informal living areas focused on the vast covered patio for seamless outdoor entertaining.
The contemporary kitchen has stone bench tops, a long, expansive central island, a walk-in pantry, and commercial-grade appliances including a double oven and gas cooktop tucked behind bespoke cabinetry.
The outdoor room has multiple seating zones with bronze chandeliers, an integrated alfresco kitchen, and a stone fireplace overlooking a 14m swimming pool and gazebo.
A palatial primary bedroom suite sits in its own wing and is home to a sitting area, private terrace, fireplace, walk-in robe, a deluxe dressing room and a spa-like ensuite with a sunken tub.
An upper level houses a second spacious retreat with a bath ensuite, fireplace and balcony.
Across the expansive layout the self-contained guest annex adds more flexibility for extended family or visitors, containing three more bedrooms with ensuites, a separate kitchen, an open plan living zone and a courtyard.
Additional features at Château Immanuel include ducted air-conditioning and vacuuming, an integrated sound system, security, a 10kW solar system with a generator backup and an irrigation system. The grounds have a self-contained artist’s studio, a large shed, a dog run, ornamental ponds, antique statues and a four-car garage.
Château Immanuel is close to Maroochydore CBD and the international airport, 30 minutes to Noosa, and under an hour to Brisbane.
Offered through an expressions of interest campaign, Château Immanuel has a guide of $11 million via Melissa Schembri and Daniel Rees of Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty.
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