Andy Buttfield and his wife Jo Buttfield with dog Alf at their Lavender Bay Home.
BridgeClimb Sydney chief engineer and grandson of Sir Edward Holden, Andy Buttfield, has sold his long-held harbourside home at private auction, in a hush-hush deal worth more than $10m.
The home he shares with wife Jo has a point-blank view of the Harbour Bridge and city across the water.
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Gone in 72 hours for more than $20m
It’s a fitting outlook for Mr Buttfield, who was chief project engineer who developed BridgeClimb Sydney, which opened in 1998.
The Buttfields have owned their home at 35 Bay View St, Lavender Bay, for 55 years.
It went to private auction on Saturday with Mark Jackson, of Belle Property Neutral Bay.
Eight bidders registered, although only half of them took part in the on-site auction.
Mr Jackson said the property sold under the hammer for a confidential price. However he did confirm it sold “considerably over our guide”, which was $10 million.
“Properties of this calibre in Lavender Bay are rarely offered for sale,” he said.
“Our client has owned it for 55 years. What made it really special was the position on the preferred low side of Bay View Street. This made the harbour views more expansive and intimate. You feel a real connection to the water.
“Its entry was also unique because you walk straight into the living zone with those amazing views from the street, whereas other homes typically have entry via the lower levels.”
What a view!
There are views from just about every room.
Mr Jackson said 140 groups inspected the property in the lead-up to the auction – a high number considering the price point.
“People love Lavender Bay – it’s very sought-after,” he said.
“The home’s views and location on Bay View Street were the main attractions for buyers. We had many buyers from the lower north shore, as well as the eastern suburbs and upper north shore.
“A few people weren’t actually intending to purchase a new home in the near future but were so inspired by the property, they couldn’t resist coming for a look. They recognised that it was a special opportunity.”
Open plan living.
Dine with a view.
There were also inquiries from overseas, both expats and international buyers with Australian residency. These were from Hong Kong, London and the US, Mr Jackson said.
Mr Buttfield said he had never tired of seeing people climb up and down the bridge.
BridgeClimb and his legendary grandfather are not Mr Buttfield’s only claims to fame, he is also the son of late Federal Liberal senator Dame Nancy Buttfield.
Selling up in Lavender Bay is the end of an era for the couple, who have decided to move permanently to their property in Bowral, previously a weekender.
“We stayed in Bowral for four months and enjoyed it so much, my wife said, ‘why don’t we move here?’ We love Bowral, it’s a delightful environment and I just love being outdoors in the bush,” Mr Buttfield said.
Formal living.
There are multiple terraces.
“This (35 Bay View St) was a run down dump when I bought it,” he said. “I’ve spent 40 years taking a wreck of a house into something we’re proud to be in, and now the job’s finished.”
He believes he has at “at least one more project left in” him and the couple are planning to build a new home in Bowral now the Lavender Bay house is sold.
“We were very happy with the campaign and very pleased with the outcome,” he said.
“Jo and I have turned the page on this chapter of 55 years and we’re looking forward to beginning a new one in the Southern Highlands. We’ve already begun planning to build our new home.”
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