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This house at Belmont by Romark Design Constructions won ‘House of the Year’ at the 2020 Master Builders’ Awards. Image supplied.

A MEGA mansion influenced by a love of travel has been named ‘House of the Year’ by one of Queensland’s leading construction industry bodies.

Drawing inspiration from Europe, England and Cyprus, the palatial property in the sleepy suburb of Belmont is the work of Gold Coast-based builder Romark Design Constructions and won the top gong at this year’s Master Builders Brisbane Housing & Construction Awards.

This house at Belmont by Romark Design Constructions won ‘House of the Year’ at the 2020 Master Builders’ Awards. Image supplied.

Dubbed ‘The House of Happiness’ by its owners, the artisan home is a combination of family history and fond European memories.

Features include stone imported from Turkey, a dry stone wall hand cut in Greece and French Oak parquetry timber boards from France and Belgium.

Inside the house at Belmont by Romark Design Constructions, which won ‘House of the Year’ at the 2020 Master Builders’ Awards. Image supplied.

The project was also awarded ‘Best Individual Home over $2 million’.

“Wow is somewhat of an understatement here!” the judges said.

The formal dining room in the house by Romark Design Constructions. Image supplied.

“Romark have delivered an exceptional level of detail on this project of the highest standard and have raised the benchmark.

“Every aspect has been delivered, every detail considered and constructed with the highest degree of craftsmanship.”

A viewing deck inside the house by Romark Design Constructions. Image supplied.

The judges also described the project as “stunning from start to finish”, and commended it for bringing all facets of the construction process together.

The other major award winner was Hutchinson Builders, which took home ‘Project of the Year’ for its $1 billion Brisbane Skytower development, which was also awarded best Residential Building over $20 million.

Brisbane Skytower by Hutchinson’s Builders has won ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2020 Master Builders’ Awards. Image supplied.

The 90-storey tower has 1138 apartments, the highest roof in Queensland and is the largest residential building in Australia.

The judges were impressed with the amount of overall planning that went into the Skytower project.

Brisbane Skytower by Hutchinson’s Builders has won ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2020 Master Builders’ Awards. Image supplied.

“Just completing a building of this magnitude is a credit to the experienced construction team and subcontractors,” the judges said.

“Skytower is an imposing presence on its environment but is beautiful in design and has a real wow factor with its slender yet robust profile.”

Brisbane Skytower by Hutchinson’s Builders stands out amidst the city skyline. Image supplied.

Hutchinson Builders’ Fantauzzo Art Series Hotel project also won the ‘Tourism and Leisure Facilities’ over $10 million’ category.

Brighton Homes won the Brisbane ‘President’s Award’ for their contemporary-meets-country project, Kenzie 26.

This house by Brighton Homes won the Brisbane ‘President’s Award’ at the 2020 Master Builders’ Awards. Image supplied.

The stylish, single-level house offers a lot for the affordable price tag.

Dark charcoal timbers have been teamed with warm, rustic tones, with the raked ceiling and concrete kitchen giving a sense of luxury.

This house by Brighton Homes won the Brisbane ‘President’s Award’ at the 2020 Master Builders’ Awards. Image supplied.

The judges described the entry as “value for money with high standards of finish at affordable levels”.

“Jam packed with features at every turn, this design and project is a credit to the whole team and a win for the new house builders. They really have ‘let life in’ on this project.

“A contemporary yet rustic home inspired by the charm of old Australia.”

Inside the house by Brighton Homes, which won the Brisbane ‘President’s Award’ at the 2020 Master Builders’ Awards. Image supplied.

Master Builders Queensland CEO Grant Galvin said the winners this year were examples of resilience at a time when the stresses of COVID-19 threatened to derail the industry.

“The quality, attention to detail in finishes and overall craftsmanship was exemplary, and we saw innovations we haven’t seen before or were even expecting,” Mr Galvin said.

“It’s a true testament to the quality and range of building that happens in and around Brisbane.”

OTHER MASTER BUILDERS AWARDS BRISBANE 2020 HOUSING WINNERS

*House of the Year – Romark Design Constructions Pty Ltd for “La Maison du Bonheur” (The House of Happiness) (Belmont)

*Individual Home over $2 million – Romark Design Constructions Pty. Ltd. For “La Maison du Bonheur” (The House of Happiness) (Belmont)

*Project of the Year – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for Brisbane Skytower (Brisbane City)

*Residential Building (high-rise over 3 storeys) over $20 million – J Hutchinson Pty Ltd T/A Hutchinson Builders for Brisbane Skytower (Brisbane City)

*President’s Award – McDonald Jones Homes T/A Brighton Homes for Kenzie 26 (Rochedale)

*Individual Home $751,000 – $950,000 – McLachlan Special Projects Pty Ltd T/A McLachlan Homes for The Hicks & McInerney Project (Warner)

*Individual Home $951,000 – $1.25 million – Tabrizi Home Builders Pty Ltd for River Park (Fig Tree Pocket)

*Individual Home $1.26 million – $2 million – Graya Construction Pty Ltd for Laurent (Paddington)

The post Mega mansion in sleepy suburb wins top housing gong appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Les Schirato is selling in Birchgrove. Photos by Chris Pavlich for The Australian

The Birchgrove property of Les Schirato, who heads the $250m company Vittoria Food and Beverage, has been listed for sale with a price guide of $6m.

The four-bedroom Louisa Road home, which sits on an enviable position on the eastern tip of the Birchgrove peninsula, has been in the Schirato family since 2007 when they bought it for $3.4m.

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A stunning spot.

Views to the Harbour Bridge.

The property was extensively renovated two years ago and since then has been home to several family members. Before the renovations it was leased out, as the coffee king’s main home is in Turramurra on the north shore.

During the remodelling, the kitchen was relocated downstairs so there was a better connection to the living areas.

Mark Bowis of Cobden Hayson Balmain said the home — which has its own private jetty and deep water mooring — has attracted a lot of attention from the overseas market.

He bought it for $3.4m in 2007. Photos by Chris Pavlich for The Australian

Gorgeous character features.

“It’s the only waterfront property on the market in Birchgrove at the moment. You usually only get one or two a year, so there is a lot of pent-up demand for this type of home,” Mr Bowis said.

“It’s only three houses from the end of the peninsula and has coveted views to the Harbour Bridge — it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Updated interiors.

Schirato, the son of Italian immigrants, is responsible for the immense success of Vittoria Coffee, which is surviving the downturn in business thanks to his push of vacuum-packed coffee into supermarkets in the 1980s.

The demand for his supermarket product has surged 23 per cent as consumers turn to home coffee machines for their daily cuppa during COVID-19 restrictions.

The post Les Schirato, head of Vittoria Food and Beverage, lists $6m Birchgrove property appeared first on realestate.com.au.

38 Surrey Drive, Keilor East has sold for almost $2m.

A colossal concrete house has finally sold after lingering on the market for 600 days.

The unfinished property achieved an undisclosed price understood to be just shy of Keilor East’s $2m house price record.

Moonee Valley Real Estate agent David Gigliotti declined to comment on the sale of the 38 Surrey Drive mansion, which he described as “gargantuan” when it first hit the market in August 2018.

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The house has finally sold after first hitting the market in August 2018.

The open-plan living area and kitchen on one of the levels.

Some bed.

The property had a $2.2-$2.4m price guide then.

CoreLogic records show it had two stints on the market — the first for 291 days and the second, 309 — before it changed hands on July 17.

The vendor started building the three-storey monolith about 15 years ago, with features including 10 bedrooms, four bathrooms, two stone-topped kitchens, two balconies, multiple living areas and a seven-car garage.

The house has two kitchens …

… both with stone benchtops.

Space age showers are on show throughout the bathrooms.

Shower or teleportation device?

The exterior still needs finishing touches, including a facade paint job and landscaping.

When the residence first came up for sale, Mr Gigliotti said it was “one of the biggest homes in the area”.

“There has been interest in the house, but this is not a property that you’ll get 500 buyers for,” he said at the time.

“It’s an eccentric house (that) will probably only appeal to a few people because of its difference.

“It’s got to be to someone’s taste. Then again, its difference could be its allure.”

The mansion sprawls over three levels.

One of the four bathrooms has a spa.

A bedroom with plenty of space for entertaining.

He also stated the architecturally designed house was on one of Keilor East’s best streets.

It has featured regularly on cult Instagram page, Ugly Melbourne Houses, during its selling campaign.

Keilor East’s $2m benchmark for a single house sale belongs to a five-bedroom residence at 8 Valley Lake Boulevard, according to CoreLogic.

Realestate.com.au puts the suburb’s median house price at $845,000.

Verdant views.

It’s a solid party pad.

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samantha.landy@news.com.au

The post Keilor East mansion sold after 600 days on the market appeared first on realestate.com.au.

6 Greenrigg Court, Indooroopilly, sold on Saturday for $910,000 under the hammer.

A family that renovated their brick four bedder during Queensland’s stay-at-home COVID-19 lockdown saw their hard work pay off at auction, with the home selling in just 15 minutes.

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The Greenrigg Court home at Indooroopilly in Brisbane sold on Saturday.

With “nothing left to do” on the home, 6 Greenrigg Court, Indooroopilly, attracted four pre-auction bids in the mid-$800s as potential buyers tried to take it off the market. Seven bidders registered for Saturday’s auction with the property selling for $910,000, after over 70 parties went through the home in a three-week period, said agent Tyler Bean of Plum Property Toowong. The auction – which was held on the street in the quiet cul-de-sac where homes are tightly held for over a decade by families keen on the school catchments in the area – was over in just 15 minutes.

“Bidding started at $600,000 and I asked for $650,000, then it jumped $100,000 to $750,000 and in the end $910,000 was what it sold for. It was mostly young families wanting the Indooroopilly catchment.”

Seven bidders registered for the auction.

“Since COVID-19, this is best one we’ve had in terms of value and the amount of bidders. It was so quick, 15 minutes and done.”

The owners, who would not be named, said they began renovating to stay a year ago but were able to accelerate the work during this year’s Queensland COVID-19 lockdown.

“Renovations started slowly and then picked up pace during the quarantine. It was a great time to do the garden, and it was awesome to see it come together really quickly. It’s been a good six months.”

Agent Tyler Bean said it was the fact that the home was in a good school catchment and move in ready that caught buyers’ eyes.

“I think we did just the right work on it. We didn’t do anything unnecessary. It is a beautiful home. We’ve been here for a long time. Any time you can get a nice house in a quiet street in a good school zone, it’s a great place to live. We’ve loved being here and are sad a little bit to move on. We were here for about 12 years. Everyone in the street has also been here a really long time.”

“We were married here, first baby, it’s a very important house. But it was very exciting. We’re very happy with the result today.”

Firepit at the end of the garden.

The owners made the decision to sell during the lockdown period after deciding they were missing family.

“We were originally renovating to stay and then got to a point where during the quarantine we thought where do we want to be? We wanted to be close to our family so we’ve purchased a place on the Sunshine Coast. We’re very happy.”

The four bedroom, two bathroom, single carpark house sits on 699sq m in what was described as “a quiet, family-friendly street”.

The raked ceilings were a hit.

The home was also in the Indooroopilly state and high school catchments, and a short drive to Saint Peters and Brisbane Boys College.

“The spacious interior is big enough for families of all sizes with good separation of living areas plus massive bedrooms,” was how it was marketed on realestate.com.au where it was the most viewed property of those going to auction in Queensland this weekend.

A veranda off the kitchen.

“The updated kitchen has plenty of storage and is complete with stainless steel appliances and stone benches.”

Space was key with large living and dining areas and raked ceilings, bigger than normal bedrooms, a “massive master suite, and an extra guest room downstairs that could become a rumpus room or office if necessary.

The post Quarantine reno pays off for couple at auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Trainer Matthew Smith and wife Melissa with their horse Californian Man at Warwick Farm. Picture: Brett Costello

The Australian horse racing legacy will continue at Luskin Park in the Hunter Valley with Warwick Farm-based horse trainer Matthew Smith
and his wife Melissa buying the trophy stud property in Luskintyre.

The 46ha estate on the banks of the Hunter River is believed to have been sold for a figure between $2.5 million and $3 million through Sam Triggs and Richie Inglis of Inglis Rural Property.

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The four-bedroom, three-bathroom homestead.

It sold for between $2.5 million and $3 million.

Plenty of facilities.

The price included the entire bloodstock holdings of 30 broodmares, race mares and weanlings that belonged to NSW’s longest serving Police Minister-turned thoroughbred owner, Paul Whelan.

Mr Smith said he was attracted to the property due to its proximity to Sydney where he will remain based.

“We don’t have plans to move from Warwick Farm, it’s more a case of this property complementing our racing stable in Sydney,” said the trainer of Japanese-born, European-run Fierce Impact, who is a Cox Plate and Winx Stakes contender. “It means we’ll have somewhere to spell, or rest, our horses on the farm.

It is on 46 hectares.

A gorgeous estate and surrounds.

“And it will allow us to get back to nature more often.”

The Whelan family put the landmark property on the market after Paul Whelan’s death from cancer last year.

The renowned equine estate is the birthplace of several Australian champions including Golden Slipper winner Luskin Star and Foxwedge.

The property comprises a four-bedroom, three-bathroom homestead with a recently renovated kitchen, office, cool room, veranda, in-ground pool and a four-car carport. A separate one-bedroom flat can also be found on the estate.

– With additional reporting from Mercedes Maguire

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This secluded desert home in Joshua Tree California is a modern mirrored building with a pool in the living room. If you were going to fork out $3,500 per night for a house, this almost sounds worth it.

Blending seamlessly with its desert surrounds thanks to its mirrored exterior, this modern house seemingly vanishes as the shimmering surfaces reflect the beautiful landscape it’s in and it appears to take on the desert form.

The modern house vanishes into the desert landscape. Picture: Realtor/Petr Masek

Set on 36 hectares with a 30m pool in the living room, the home has three bedrooms and four bathrooms, it’s no wonder that Demi Lovato and boyfriend, Max Ehrich, recently escaped here for a weekend getaway.

Designed by LA film producer, Chris Hanely and architect Tomas Osinski, the Invisible House has been a six-year project in the making to create an environmentally sustainable and artistic living space.

Adding to the beauty and colour, the pool runs right through the living room. Picture: Realtor/Brian Ashby

The elongated minimalist house spans 510sqm and also has a separate prefab house on wheels if you’d like to host guests too.

In keeping with the goal of creating an environmentally sustainable house with a minimal footprint on the environment, the house enjoys solar and thermal systems.

The perfect kitchen and space to entertain from. And not a bad backdrop either. Picture: Realtor/Brian Ashby

When it comes to the design features, the horizontal layout that allows the pool to run through the living room is really statement-making.

By night, thanks to the lights, the pool floods the space with shades of blue, red, green, and violet. There’s even a wall at one end of the pool that acts as a movie screen with a video projector. Perfect for having friends over for a water-themed movie night.

Living room, house, hotel, night club? We’ll let you decide. Picture: Realtor/Brian Ashby

Another statement-maker is the glass wall at one end of the home that completely opens up the space to the surrounding desert and making the home’s connection to the outside even stronger.

Elsewhere in the home, the concrete floors, 3.3m ceilings and designer kitchen are all eye-catching and the open cooking and dining area is the perfect set-up for soirees.

The main bedroom seamlessly connects with nature thanks to a sliding wall that reveals glass walls and lets the desert envelope this space. Picture: Realtor/Brian Ashby

In the bedrooms, there are sliding walls that open up to over uninterrupted desert views so you can wake up feeling every bit relaxed.

And if that hasn’t made you chill enough, the main bedroom includes a freestanding tub to soak in while you enjoy surrounding nature.

A thing of such beauty, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a piece of art in its own right. Picture: Realtor/Petr Masek

Located just 10 minutes from the shops and restaurants of downtown Joshua Tree, the architectural marvel can be rented out on a short-term basis or for special events and film shoots.

For those that find themselves particularly cashed-up, it can also be rented on a monthly basis at the celebrity-friendly price of $71,600.

The post $3.5k per-night mirrored desert house that Demi Lovato rented appeared first on realestate.com.au.