Who’s buying, who’s selling?
A look behind the scenes of the region’s property market. By Jonathan Chancellor.
Frangipani House
Frangipani House, the 1918 post-Federation residence in the Cooks Hill conservation area has been listed for sale, seeking $3.3m through Natalie Tonks and Paula Ashcroft of Presence.
Located on Corlette Street, the five-bedroom, three-bathroom house comes with frangipani trees out front.
The brick bungalow underwent a renovation and extension by Zugai Strudwick Architects when previously owned by the Brown family with several original features retained including the high ornate plaster ceilings, leadlight windows, fretwork and architraves.
Its polished concrete floors provide warmth in the winter retained solar heating and cool during the summer in the Nadin West built kitchen.
Set within its 687 sqm of landscaped gardens with 90-year-old frangipani is a separate studio with kitchenette and a two-car garage. The pebble pathway was the suggestion of Landscaping Naturally.
It last sold for $870,000 in 2012 and was briefly listed in 2020 before being taken off the market.
Casa Bella
Casa Bella, a 1920s Merewether trophy home, has been sold for $3.2m through Michael Flook of Robinson Property in conjunction with Lyndall Allan and Tahnee Burke of Salt Property after less than three weeks on the market.
Located at 21 Helen Street, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom dwelling is brimming with period features including leadlight windows. There are three-and-a-half metre high ceilings with ornate plaster. Out front is a tessellated tiled verandah with views of the city, Strzelecki and some ocean glimpses.
Set on a 554 sqm block, the double brick post-Federation-style residence has been freshly painted white inside.
The kitchen saw a recent update in what is said to have once been a BHP mine manager’s residence.
It last sold for $2.775m in 2021.
The house was best known during its ownership by fruiter Frank Frasca and his wife Katherine who restored it and renamed it Casa Bella after they paid $1.2m in 2004 when it stood on 1039 sqm.
Billy Bourne Farm
Billy Bourne Farm, the Wollombi estate has been listed for sale through Garry Musgrove of Musgrove Realty who is marketing it as an exquisite Australiana homestead.
The property last traded in 2013 at $1.73m through Musgrove after its renovation by Karyne and Sean Gough.
Located on Billy Bourne Road, the 63ha farmstead spans a valley overlooking green pastures and natural bushland with a creek running through the property.
The timber slab homestead is made up of two main buildings, joined by a timber breezeway comprising four-bedrooms in all, with the option for a dual living arrangement. It is situated near the head of the valley with a northerly aspect ensuring day-long sunshine and good protection from the southerlies.
There is a swimming pool.
There is also an Olympic size horse arena with adjoining ironbark-constructed horse stables, timber barn and machinery shed, with smaller separate stables next to the main house.
The price guide is $3m to $3.3m for Billy Bourne Farm.
Foreshore Toronto
A record sale has been recorded for a penthouse in the award-winning Foreshore apartment development in Toronto with the price yet to be disclosed.
Located on Wharf Road, the half-floor three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment spanning 182 sqm was designed by EJE Architecture with a wrap-around terrace.
The waterside penthouse with two car spaces was purchased off the plan for $2.55m in 2018 from the Stevens Group.
A ground floor water-facing apartment had previously held the record for the building at $3.155m in 2021.
Another apartment on the backside of the complex has also recently sold for $2.2m through Paul Avery of his eponymous agency. The apartment was purchased for $1.3min 2019, two years prior to its completion.
Thirsty Palette
The Thirsty Palette vineyard estate, established 40 years ago at Lovedale, has been listed for sale through Cain Beckett at Jurd’s Real Estate with $5m expectations.
The five-bedroom manor with views of the Brokenback Range is surrounded by scented gardens with a European-inspired outdoor entertaining area with a pool.
The colonial-Georgian style homestead was built in the early 1990s.
The owners through the decades when previously known as the Warraroong Estate have included the Fraser family, wine industry entrepreneur Russell Leslie and the former McDonald’s executive Tim Tighe.
The Wilderness Road property has a four-bedroom guest cottage with two bathrooms and its own pool.
The rustic, barn-style cellar door adds a touch of charm along with an adjacent art studio.
The established vineyards on the 14.97ha holding produce Semillon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Frontignac, supported by a substantial water allocation of 26 megalitres from the Hunter Valley Wine Country Private Irrigation District.
It last traded in 2021 for $4,529,000 when sold by interests associated by Andrew Glauser.
9 Rose Street, Merewether
A new all-white Merewether home has been sold under the auction hammer, securing $2.89m through Mathew and Brooke Iuliano of Mavis Property.
Located on Rose Street, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom residence is constructed of man-made white bricks from Tasmania.
The bespoke design by Pettit Projects comes with high-end interiors in its curated floor plan.
Set on a 481 sqm holding, it boasts a rear blackbutt deck with outdoor kitchen overlooking its heated pool complete with bathroom.
The landscaping is centred around a dragon tree.
There is also a double garage.
The Pettit family purchased the site for $1.125m in 2022 and submitted a development application valued at $600,000 in early 2023.
49 Foreshore Drive, Salamander Bay
A waterfront Salamander Bay trophy home looking out onto Port Stephens has been sold for $4.2m at recent auction through Jack Gair and Ben George of Aspect.
Located on Foreshore Drive, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom beachside house was completed in 2017, featuring a grand foyer and multiple living areas.
Set on 525 sqm, the dwelling also has a pool, surrounded by landscaped gardens and a stone terracing encircling much of the house.
It last sold for $3m in 2020.
Read more in our Spring Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.
