Revealed: A $70m “fixer upper” in one of Australia’s richest suburbs
A once-grand Vaucluse estate with knockout harbour views and a legacy as remarkable as its outlook hits the market for $70 million.
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The mid-century mansion at 38 Vaucluse Rd might not have the same street presence as its glamorous neighbours, but the $70m “fixer upper” still has all the right ingredients to be an enviable eastern suburbs estate.
If the old adage is true – and it’s all about location – then this 1400sq m dual access parcel with postcard views of the Harbour City’s heavy-hitter icons actually has it all.
With the Harbour Bridge and Opera House at centre stage, the outlook propels the listing into its multi-million dollar category, but the owners are also a talking point.
The original five-bedroom residence has been the home of 98-year-old philanthropist Isaac Wakil and his late wife, Susan, for the past 65 years.
Although the perfectly positioned Vaucluse home with the hefty price tag is impressive enough, the one-time high society couple have a history of making headlines with their rundown, yet eye-watering, portfolio.
For decades, the duo held onto several abandoned, but enviably placed properties, including the iconic Griffiths Teas building in Surry Hills and the Terminus Hotel in Pyrmont.
After building their wealth in the garment industry and then property, the pair, who had no children, began selling off their real estate in 2014. The huge cache of properties earned more than $200m, which all went to charity.
They donated millions to The Art Gallery of NSW, Opera Australia, St Vincent’s Hospital and the Sydney Jewish Museum. In 2016, the couple handed a record $35 million to The University of Sydney through the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation.
With their Vaucluse residence expected to be a “knockdown”, it could be the most expensive “land” sale in Sydney.
Despite predictions it could be bulldozed, the listing through Ray White Double Bay’s Elliott Placks and Riki Tawhara, depicts “grand interiors waiting modern refurbishment” and describes the homes as offering “character of a bygone era”.
As is, the unique two-storey house has a ground floor dedicated to everyday living and entertaining with a full-width balcony capturing the show-stopping outlook, a formal dining room, library, office, and three bedrooms, including a main with the landmark view and an ensuite.
The same level also houses two full bathrooms, a powder room and a garage.
Downstairs, there is an original kitchen and vast rumpus room with a bar and French doors opening onto a grand terrace, a level lawn with established palm trees, and a huge swimming pool facing the sweeping harbour panorama.
The property, which also has access to Carrara Rd, has two more lock-up garages below and is close to Hermitage Foreshore track, harbour beaches, and Kambala School.
Listed with Elliott Placks and Riki Tawhara of Ray White Double Bay, inspections for 38 Vaucluse Rd, Vaucluse are by pre-arranged private appointment.
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Award-winning Byron hinterland estate Amileka returns to market, blending architectural pedigree, celebrity history and lucrative luxury retreat appeal.
2 min
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.
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