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This former army drill hall lends itself well to modern living. Picture: Justin Alexander

This home, originally built in 1905, was never meant to be lived in. Designed as a space for turning civilians into soldiers, the former army drill hall had wide openings for moving equipment in and out, and was surrounded by small workers’ cottages that are typical of Leichhardt.

But now you would be hard pressed to find a building its age better suited for contemporary living.

Unlike its neighbouring cottages, it is spacious and light, with highlight windows for privacy and a generous north-facing backyard.

New work at the rear offers a direct connection to the garden and existing pool. Picture: Justin Alexander

Richard Peters, principal at architectural firm Tobias Partners, says the building had merit from almost every angle.

“The original building has a lot of value both historic and cultural,” Mr Peters says.

“There is a sense of craftsmanship in how that building was made. Too many of these interesting, quirky buildings are knocked over a lot of the time, but what goes up in their place often doesn’t match the quality of the old building.”

The property had been through a number of hands before being converted into a home in the early 1990s.

Sitting on a site that slopes away from the street, the main living areas were at street level, with service spaces like the laundry below.

“The rear garden is north- facing so it gets a lot of sun,” Mr Peters says.

“It had some of the rooms placed against that north facade but they didn’t have external connections. It also had a limited basement area that didn’t function at all.”

The street level leads onto a spacious terrace. Picture: Justin Alexander

After consultation with the council’s heritage officer, some of the newer additions were removed and new work was created out of brick, which included a spacious terrace area that looks like a solid wall with trailing plants from the garden.

Underneath, the area that was little more than a damp crawl space was excavated to allow for a light and bright living space next to a bedroom with ensuite with seamless floor-to-ceiling windows.

The lower level was excavated to allow for a large bedroom and light-filled bathroom. Picture: Justin Alexander

“The hall is obviously made of brick and to do the excavation we had to prop the building up with a steel structure and remove the modern facade at the rear to insert the new building,” Mr Peters says.

“We used the brickwork to tie it back into the building.”

Finally, a guest bedroom and study was set into the slate roofline, each with a small, separate terrace space.

The owners were keen to retain the wide front door and the exposed rafters that lend the building much of its character. Picture: Justin Alexander

Mr Peters says the owners wanted the old hall tell its story.

“The clients are to be commended,” he says. “If you look at that facade, they could probably have put three houses on it. Some people might have looked at it more commercially and knocked it down.”

Instead, its former function is still visible in the high ceilings and distinctive wide front door.

“The history is important,” he says. “If you can adapt a building for how people want to live today, it’s worth the effort to keep it.”

Pictures: Justin Alexander

THE PROJECT

Owners

A couple with two dogs

Architect

Tobias Partners, tobiaspartners.com

The brief

To reconfigure a historic building that had already been adapted to create a home with better outdoor and indoor connection

The site

A former army drill hall on a sloping site in Leichhardt

Design solution

To remove some of the add-ons and excavate the site to create a modern home that flows on to the garden

How long did it take

18 months

THE SOURCE

Builder Alvaro Bros, alvarobros.com.au

Landscaping Secret Gardens, secretgardens.com.au Joinery Fisher Fitouts, fisherfitouts.com.au

Windows Vitrocsa Australia, vitrocsa.com.au

Dining table Molloy dining table by Adam Goodrum available from Cult, cultdesign.com.au

Kitchen tapware Vola tapware from Candana, candana.com.au

The post Stunning transformation of Leichhardt army hall into family home appeared first on realestate.com.au.

At Home with actor Catherine Van-Davies. Picture:Justin Lloyd

At a time where a lack of diversity on our screens is being called out, SBS will next week premiere the new Australian supernatural thriller, Hungry Ghosts, which features more than 40 Asian-Australian actors in the cast.

Catherine Van-Davies stars in the four-part drama series set in Melbourne during the Hungry Ghosts festival. Celebrated by Chinese communities around the world, it’s said that ghosts of ancestors roam the earth on the first day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. Catherine, whose own mother escaped Vietnam during the war, says Hungry Ghosts is a “universal story of grief and dealing with the past”.

“I’m second generation Australian, and growing up my mum never spoke about her past,” Catherine says.

She lives in Redfern. Picture:Justin Lloyd

“She left when she was 18 — now I have the beauty of seeing Vietnam thorough her teenage eyes.

“I’m really excited about mum seeing Hungry Ghosts. Even though it involves trauma, our history also has something to celebrate and embrace too.

“Her opinion is something I anticipate the most, and I think she would definitely be proud of seeing her culture represented.”

Iceland picture: I was doing an artist residency in Finland and Fayssal joined me for a holiday to take advantage of being in that part of the world. You can’t take a bad photo in Iceland.

Books: There’s a mix of local and international authors here. I love books — they were my first access to storytelling. During isolation, books have given me great comfort.

Turtle: His name is Octavian and he is 11½ years old. Reptiles are meant to be in their own world, but he comes and rests on us. He’s so sweet and defies all definitions of a reptile. If we do things right, he’ll live as long as us.

Telescope: I am obsessed with the universe and the cosmos. There is something deeply humbling and quite freeing to look up and realise you are a tiny part of the universe but you can have a big impact.

Canon camera: This has travelled the world with me and has been my reliable travel buddy. Vietnam has been my favourite place to photograph. When the borders eventually open, I look forward to many more adventures.

Plant cosie: This was made by a friend of mine (@rosies—plant — cosies). She’s a performance artist, but through COVID she has been making these with eco yarns. She’s even made one of the female anatomy.

Partner actor Fayssal Bazzi: We have been together for about 6½ years and we moved in together at the six-year mark. We are very compatible, which is why living together in such a small apartment works.

Edgeley dress: We have so many incredible Australian artists. One of my favourite is Melbourne designer Alice Edgeley. Her collection is fun and elegant, which is perfect for performers.

Records: I love records. I listen to lots of music on my phone, but there’s a sense of intention when you put a record on. You sit with the music, you don’t flick through the tracks.

The post At home with actor and Hungry Ghosts star Catherine Van-Davies appeared first on realestate.com.au.

31 Coolong Rd, Vaucluse, is right on the waterfront and has a pool, tennis court and glorious harbour views.

They’re falling like flies — Sydney’s most expensive trophy homes that have been sitting on the market for nearly a year, selling for as much as $17m less than their original asking price.

The Vaucluse home of Vass Industries founder Nick Vass
and his wife, Marion, at exclusive Coolong Road, has sold this week in the “high $30m range”, down from the $55m when it first hit the market last October.

But it’s still Australia’s most expensive house sale this year.

The huge 1920s era home, with glorious harbour views, pool and tennis court, is on an almost 2000 sqm waterfront block, and it’s sold through Christies agent Peter Anderson. He’s not commenting on the sale price, but other sources have indicated the result.

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It follows the $32m sale of retired dealer Laurie Sutton’s Darling Point mansion and the $33.5m sale of Elizabeth Bay’s Berthong — both down from $35m — in March. Sutton’s home had been first listed 18 months earlier and Berthong had been for sale for four years.

But in the midst of a pandemic with 3.5m Australians on Jobkeeper, that anyone would part with such a mega amount of money for a house must seem bewildering to many.

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Resort living.

A floodlit tennis court — try getting those lights approved today.

It’s understood Anderson had multiple parties, both locally and from overseas, fighting over the Vass family’s seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom home with a six-car garage when it went to private tender this week.

The price guide had been revised down to $42m.

It’s a far cry from the $3,725,000 that Vass and his wife, Marion, paid for the 1920s house 33 years ago — through the same agent that sold it this time.

The vendor then was the late Cyril Maloney, who owned a hotel empire including the Bondi, the Olympic in Moore Park and the Hampton in Kings Cross.

The lower-level section of the house opens to the waterfront.

The new owner will want to redecorate — or perhaps even knock it down.

But these days, just up the road, Menulog co-founder, Leon Kamenev is spending $10.3m on building a new home — expected to be one of the country’s finest and be worth well over $100m — on an amalgamated 4270 sqm site of four homes that he’d bought for $80m in 2016.

Anderson gave the Wentworth Courier an exclusive tour of the Vass family’s house last November for our House of the Week.

It had features that its neighbours don’t have and never will — floodlights on its tennis court (try getting those lights through council now) and a jetty, boat pen and slipway (suitable for a big cruiser).

The jetty is highly prized.

The view from the street.

While many will rebuild, you could easily just knock out a few walls to open up the entertainment level.

Four of the bedrooms had their own ensuite. Three of the other bedrooms have access to a family bathroom. And the sunroom is currently being used as a gym, which would be a fantastic place to do your morning workout given the harbour view. You could simply modernise.

There’s also a self-contained unit off the garage; another entertainment wing in the lower garden level and a kitchen in the boathouse.

As Mr Anderson said back then: “This trophy home sits on nearly 2000 sqm of land (half an acre) from street to water … a peaceful sanctuary for the owner.”

The post Vaucluse waterfront home of Vass Industries founder Nicholas Vass and wife Marion sells appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Rural properties are in short supply in the Tablelands

FAR Northern farms have become a sought-after commodity during the COVID-19 crisis with rural properties rapidly snapped up across the Tablelands.

Tablelands.com and Malanda Real Estate principal Darren Hithersay said his office was so busy it was “running out of rural land” and searching for new listings to satisfy requests from buyers prompted by the pandemic to make a lifestyle change.

“We have always been busy when it comes to rural land, but it has been a little overwhelming since C19,” he said.

“We currently have properties under contract – including one by people from Western Australia – and are getting inquiries from Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane with many people deciding life is too short and it’s time to make a change.

“Buyers are motivated by the climate up here, they want to know if the property has water on it, and most don’t worry if the house is a bit old as they can fix it up.”

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Mr Hithersay said the value of rural properties on the Tablelands had risen with a lack of farms for sale coming onto the market driving the current boom.

“Prices are going up for sure and that’s mainly because of supply and demand,” he said.

“I try not to do the sales pitch, but am telling buyers they need to act if they don’t want to miss out.”

A recent Rural Bank report revealed the median price of farmland in north Queensland increased by 3.5 per cent in 2019 with a 13.5 per cent rise across Australia.

WHAT IT’S WORTH

The median price for farmland in north Queensland was $8947/ha, compared to $4650 across the state. That increased “notably” on the Tablelands and Cassowary Coast while slipping in Douglas and Charters Towers.

The post Real estate: Why rural land is hot across Far North appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A rare opportunity to purchase two properties in one sale will be an option when 61A and 61B Kewarra St, Kewarra Beach are auctioned on September 20.

FLEXIBLE beachside living in one of Cairns’s most expensive and exclusive streets has been made possible and affordable with this rare, two-for-one property sale.

Known by locals as “millionaire’s row”, Kewarra St at Kewarra Beach is home to properties generally worth over the $1m mark, however sitting just 50m from the beach is 61A and 61B Kewarra St.

The subdivided block was once a large single property on a block about 1700sq m with a 1979-built two-bedroom home.

While the 41-year-old house remains on the property now listed as 61B covering 1058sq m, a new five-bedroom house was built on a 615sq m subdivision eight years ago at 61A, the closer of the two houses to the beach.

A rare opportunity to purchase two properties in one sale will be an option when 61A and 61B Kewarra St, Kewarra Beach are auctioned on September 20. A front view of 61A.

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The properties are listed with Ray White Cairns Beaches “property duo” Simon Batt and Matthew Pearce and will be auctioned on September 20.

“We’re going to do it in three auctions – the first auction will be both properties for sale,” Mr Batt said.

“If it’s purchased, then auction over. If it’s passed in then we’ll do an auction selling 61A and then a third auction selling 61B, so you can purchase both or either.”

He said offers to purchase the properties separately or together prior to the auction were also being accepted.

Although the two houses share a block of land and are home to tenants with young families, Mr Batt said they were nothing alike.

A rare opportunity to purchase two properties in one sale will be an option when 61A and 61B Kewarra St, Kewarra Beach are auctioned on September 20. The two properties side-by-side.

“The older house at 61B has still got its original 1979 kitchen. It’s probably the worst house on the best street. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, one car space but it does have a pool and huge amounts of yard space.

“It would be ideal for a renovator or even a developer who might want to knock it all down, build something for themselves on the larger block and perhaps rent out 61A.

“There are families living in the houses already so it does appeal to a lot of people, including multi-generational living, you’d be together but still on two properties.”

He said the newer home at 61A was ready to move in to.

A rare opportunity to purchase two properties in one sale will be an option when 61A and 61B Kewarra St, Kewarra Beach are auctioned on September 20. The living and dining area at 61B.

“It’s a very spacious five bedroom, two bathroom and a double-lock up garage with multiple alfresco entertaining areas. A 50m walk and you’re on the sand, you’re on the beach at one of the best beaches in Cairns.”

The eight-year-old home includes an open-plan living and dining area as well as an additional family area, which can be used as a media room. A modern “stunning and state-of-the-art” kitchen is central to the home, featuring a large island bench.

The bathrooms feature floating cabinetry providing an extra feeling of space.

With sea breezes a constant visitor, the house has been painted in neutral colours to enhance the natural light. It is tiled throughout and is fully airconditioned.

Mr Batt said although the properties were located in one of the most expensive areas, they would be considerably affordable compared to their neighbours.

The post Two for one: Affordable property bargain at Cairns’ million dollar street appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Valle Vista is a brand new complex with eight apartments at 76-78 Intake Road, Redlynch.

AN incomparable suite of apartments has entered the market in Cairns’ second most searched suburb, in a brand new luxury complex.

Built by Plos Constructions, eight quality apartments now stand tall in the Valle Vista complex at 76-78 Intake Road, Redlynch.

All apartments have been exclusively listed with LJ Hooker Edge Hill’s Kim Ryan with the first four targeting residential buyers now on the market, with the second lot of four, catering more for holiday letting, to be listed in the future.

Valle Vista is a brand new complex with eight apartments at 76-78 Intake Road, Redlynch.

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The spacious apartments each include three bedrooms, two bathrooms including master ensuite, open-plan living areas and double lockup garages with storage, listed at $645,000 negotiable.

With each apartment varying between 189sq m to 194sq m, Ms Ryan said there was nothing comparable at Redlynch when it came to large, luxury units.

“They’ve been designed for anyone looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle, each apartment is ‘turn key’ – everything is ready,” Ms Ryan said.

Valle Vista is a brand new complex with eight apartments at 76-78 Intake Road, Redlynch.

“There’s not many new apartments coming on in Cairns and especially Redlynch. The closest you’ll get are the larger complexes, but in terms of floor space and quality of finish, there’s nothing like this.”

With an onsite lap pool, there is also a shared entertainment area, but each apartment also enjoys privacy inside the gated complex with individual private balconies.

The sustainable complex also has solar power and elevator access to the apartments.

Valle Vista is a brand new complex with eight apartments at 76-78 Intake Road, Redlynch. The waterfall island bench in the kitchen with the illuminated glass panel.

Each apartment is tiled throughout, with a central living area and a kitchen featuring a waterfall island benchtop including a bespoke, illuminated glass panel.

“You can print a really nice photo and have that placed in front of that kitchen benchtop, inside that panel,” Ms Ryan said.

The complex is only minutes to Redlynch Central Shopping Centre.

The apartments will be open for viewing on Saturday, August 22, 11am-1pm.

The post Brand new apartments in luxury Cairns complex now for sale appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A CAIRNS real estate agent currently fielding interest from a “very active” buyers’ market is reminding sellers on how they can maximise the value of their sale.

RE/MAX broker-owner Ray Murphy says auctions could offer bonus opportunities for the sale of a home due to the specific marketing process and the competitive nature of how homes sold when listed to go under the hammer.

He said Cairns’ current market conditions made it an ideal time for prospective sellers to consider auctioning their home.

“We’re finding we’ve got more buyers than properties listed and we’re regularly getting multiple offers on properties,” Mr Murphy said.

RE/MAX Cairns broker-owner Ray Murphy and auction agent David Murphy

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“Having multiple buyers for a single property is relatively unusual for Cairns and we should be taking properties to auction because of it. At the moment we’re getting offers off market so it’s like we’re doing silent auctions anyway, so why not go to auction for all the benefits.”

Mr Murphy said auction campaigns were designed to expose the property to a maximum number of genuine buyers due to strict time frames where buyers would focus on the property itself, rather than the price during the lead-up to a competitive bidding war on auction day.

“With their defined time frame, auctions attract people who are serious about buying and selling. The seller has market-derived feedback, is the decision maker on price and has greater control over the selling process, in general.

“A reserve price protects the seller; and there’s the certainty of unconditional sale.

“The contract of sale is on your terms and the conditions of the sale are predetermined to suit your situation. An offer can be made before, at, or after the auction.

“When an auctioneer announces, ‘the property is on the market’, all is laid bare and one price will win the property. Competitive bidding can certainly help achieve a maximum sale price.”

RE/MAX auctioneer David Murphy said buyers’ motivations were beneficial to current sellers. “The buyers’ mentality in the current market is indicative that the fear of missing out on the property is greater than the desire to snag a bargain.”

The post Cairns real estate: Market conditions causing ‘silent auction’ activity appeared first on realestate.com.au.

PRESTIGE buyers are trading the beach for the bush as the demand for luxury acreage estates hots up in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The COVID-19 crisis has seen a surge in inquiry for rural real estate and cashed up high end buyers are joining the queue for well-appointed homes in the hills.

The Bluestone estate at 128 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba.

A first-class rural sanctuary in Guanaba, 30 minutes north west of Surfers Paradise, has drawn instant interest since it hit the market for $3.5 million this week.

“In less than 48 hours the property had around 1000 views online,” said Kollosche’s Kara Evatt who is leading the Bluestone campaign with Eddie Wardale.

“We’ve been hearing from people who are looking to sell their waterfront properties and upsize on more land.”

Honey, I’m home! Bluestone has its own helicopter pad and hanger.

Spread out over 4.32ha, 128 Guanaba Creek Road boasts a helicopter pad and hanger for easy access along with a cobblestone driveway that’s custom-made for prestige wheels.

The six-bedroom residence has been upgraded and extended by the current owners to include an airconditioned gym with martial arts mat, sauna, bar and a showroom style eight-car garage.

Champagne at twilight overlooking the estate.

The extensive grounds include a championship size tennis court, heated swimming pool and spa, stables, two lakes, organic vegetables gardens and an established orchard.

“There’s nothing else like this in the area,” Ms Evatt said.

“This property is six-star with all of the luxuries you could need. It has a real celebrity feel about it.”

Bluestone’s features include gardens, lakes, a tennis court and pool.

While agents on the northern end report strong interest out of Brisbane for acreage retreats in and around Tamborine Mountain, interstate buyers are focused on southern parcels.

“From Burleigh to Bilinga, we’re finding the level of inquiry is crazy, particularly for acreage properties,” said Ed Cherry of Sophie Carter Exclusive Properties.

“That interest for retreat-style properties is mainly coming from Sydney and Brisbane, where buyers are looking for a weekender or to relocate.”

795 Tomewin Mountain Road, Currumbin Valley sold for $1.55 million.

Late last month, buyers from Batemans Bay paid $1.55 million for a designer five-bedroom home on almost five acres at 795 Tomewin Mountain Road, Currumbin Valley.

Here’s a selection of amazing acreage properties on the market right now.

475 Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera

475 Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera

475 Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera

Surrounded by landscaped gardens, this resort-style sanctuary offers three acres of land on which to relax in peace and privacy.

Inspired by Colorado mountain chalets, the four-bedroom residence features high ceilings, exposed timber beams and natural stone finishes.

Outdoor rustic recreation is covered by a pool, vegetable garden and tree hut for the kids.

Price: $2.2 million

Agent: Ryan Ward, Kollosche

76-82 Main Western Road, Tamborine Mountain

76-82 Main Western Rd, Tamborine Mountain

76-82 Main Western Rd, Tamborine Mountain

The Mediterranean-style residence known as Laurel Lane is secluded on 1.2ha of lush lawns, country garden and ponds in the heart of Tamborine Mountain.

Tasmanian Oak and Jarrah ceilings feature inside the main residence while travertine and red marble lines the floors in the open plan design.

You can grow your own food in the vegetable gardens and orchard where automated irrigation keeps the maintenance to a minimum.

Price: Contact agent

Agent: Colleen Brunt and Nick Zhang, Amir Prestige – Paradise Point

186 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba

186 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba.

186 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba.

This hinterland manor may feel like it’s a world away, but in 10 minutes you’re on the M1 and in 30 minutes you’ll hit the sand.

The five-bedroom Rembrae Downs homestead is set back from the road on 8ha where rolling hills give way to 150m of Coomera River frontage.

Luxury appointments include a pool, heated spa, gazebo and bar, while a stable block on a separate title caters for four-legged friends with three large stables, tac room, office, feed shed and store room and wash bay.

Price: Contact agent

Agent: Emma Gregory and Amir Mian, Amir Prestige – Mermaid Beach

Wildlife drop by for a feed at 186 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba.

49 Bramley Dr, Tallebudgera Valley

49 Bramley Dr, Tallebudgera Valley.

The nine-bedroom residence is one of the largest in Tallebudgera Valley.

This grand nine-bedroom chateau is surrounded by virgin rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife.

“This is one of the biggest homes available in Tallebudgera Valley,” said agent Ed Cherry.

“Every bedroom has a courtyard coming off it.”

The estate lends itself to income opportunities such as a boutique hotel, weddings, health retreat or a high-end bed and breakfast.

With all the charm of a bygone era, the estate features a 4000-book library, wine cellar, open log fireplace and a pool looking out to the forest.

There are two self-contained staff quarters, a separate guesthouse and provision for another house to be built on the property.

Price: On application

Agent: Ed Cherry, Sophie Carter Exclusive Properties

300 Monaro Road, Mudgeeraba

300 Monaro Road, Mudgeeraba

300 Monaro Road, Mudgeeraba

Marketed as a Federation eco retreat, this two-storey Queenslander on 4.79ha has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Springbrook hinterland.

Located within eight kilometres of the Mudgeeraba township, the accommodation includes two self-contained guest suites, a master suite and a separate self-contained three-room studio, ideal for working from home.

Inclusions list a pool, spa, steam room and gym, while the grounds encompass an enclosed organic vegie garden, free range chook run and fruit trees.

Existing approval for a health retreat also allow for future business opportunities.

Price: Tender by September 4

Agent: Lyn Newcomb and Jodi Russell, Harcourts Mudgeeraba

61 Gibsonville Street, Tallebudgera Valley

61 Gibsonville Street, Tallebudgera Valley

61 Gibsonville Street, Tallebudgera Valley

This near-new house is located on one of Tallebudgera Valley’s most sought after streets.

A tree-lined driveway sets the scene for a prestige acreage lifestyle in a relaxed rural setting.

The four-bedroom house on 2.25ha is designed for seamless indoor-outdoor living with bi-fold doors connecting the living areas to the entertainment deck, gardens and dam.

There’s ample parking for cars, boats, caravans, trailers and more with a double shed and a double garage.

Auction: August 25, 6pm

Agent: Matt Micallef and Erika Zatyko, Ray White

The post Prestige buyers trade the beach for the bush appeared first on realestate.com.au.