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Thessy Kouzoukas, co-founder of Sabo Skirt, in a file picture with husband Georgio Batsinilas. The couple have listed the first home they bought together in Mount Gravatt. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Sabo Skirt co-founder Thessy Kouzoukas poured a lot of love into her first home – made even more special by husband Georgio Batsinilas proposing to her there – and now it could be yours.

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6/22 Selborne Street, Mount Gravatt East, hit the market last week.

With over a million followers on Instagram, the style guru put her first ever property purchase on the market last week – a rare three bedroom apartment bought off the plan in 2015 in Brisbane’s Mount Gravatt.

Her popular summer-kissed fashion range survived the COVID-19 crisis by shifting all operations online, and now Kouzoukas too was ready for a new beginning closer to home.

Sabo Skirt co-founders Thessy and Yiota Kouzoukas. Picture: Peter Wallis

“Georgio and I were looking to move out together when we first started dating around six years ago; we wanted to live around the south side where we had both grown up,” she said.

“The unit was available and was brand new, and we absolutely loved the location, the bright light throughout and the fact that it was three bedrooms.”

Her favourite spot was the main bedroom “because it has a lot of windows that let in natural light, a nice breeze and was super cozy”. Little did she realise it would be even more special later when husband Georgio chose that spot to propose marriage to her.

The master bedroom leads out to the balcony.

“Georgio proposed to me in bed one morning,” she said. “I was recovering from an endometrioma bursting inside of me, and was bed ridden for three weeks.”

“He had alternative plans (for the proposal) but ended up asking me to marry him when it was just the two of us at home. It was perfect. I also fell pregnant when I was living in this apartment, so I have memories of my first trimester being in the apartment.”

Space to enjoy the Queensland climate.

She said the decision to sell now came because the couple were looking to build their own home now.

“We have decided to sell now as we have recently purchased a block of land and are wanting to start to build soon, so we’re wanting to use the money for our new build.”

Agent Michael Bacon of Place Kangaroo Point said the 109sq m apartment at 6/22 Selborne Street, Mount Gravatt East, was rare, given its three bedrooms, two bathrooms and functional layout.

The open plan kitchen.

“There are barely any three bedroom apartments out that way. It’s quite a convenient location, a really decent sized open plan living space, a lot of things make sense with the way it’s laid out, there’s a separate master wing, a lot of people tend to like the separation, especially a family with kids, or a couple with friends that rent another room.”

“It’s a small boutique complex, only six apartments in total,” Mr Bacon said. “It’s on the top floor with a lot of natural breezes and light that comes through the apartment.”

The property has a price guide in the mid to high $500,000 range.

“With low interest rates it makes sense. It’s a no-brainer to buy in that pricepoint. It’s affordable for a lot of different buyers in the market, and there’s low stock along there. It’s a good opportunity.”

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The post Sabo Skirt’s Thessy lists love nest appeared first on realestate.com.au.

An artist’s impression of penthouses at Splendour, Bellevue Hill, and the view over Cooper Park to the CBD.

A new Bellevue Hill apartment development to be called Splendour will overlook Sydney’s ‘secret garden’ — Cooper Park — and it’s set to be a massive hit.

The managing director of developer Denwol, Phillip Wolanski, says it was an easy decision to proceed with the 25 units at 206d Victoria Rd: “The moment I walked onto the site, which Splendour will sit upon, I knew I had to develop a beautiful luxury development there that was in keeping with the amazing and unique natural surroundings.”

Selling agent Erle Cramer, of Cramer Property, says along with the top design, the location will be the secret of the development’s success.

“It is interesting if you google Sydney’s secret gardens, Cooper Park comes up,” Cramer said.

“A lot of people in Sydney’s eastern euburbs have never been there.

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Splendour will be built on a clifftop.

“A secret garden”.

“They would have no idea that such intimate views of a gazetted national park is possible moments to Bondi Junction.”

The north-facing apartments — in three distinct buildings to be known as Acacia, Bluegum and Coral Fern — will sit atop a cliff with overlooking the parkland, which occupies more than 15 hectares, and the city beyond.

Some of the apartments, with internal spaces ranging between 103 sqm and 288 sqm, will also have harbour views, including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Wolanski has brought together an expert team of designers for the unique project, including UP Architects, Kann Finch Group and Dennis Rabinowitz.

The Splendour penthouses will have views of the city, Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Open-plan living areas open to huge terraces.

The interiors will be by Smart Design Studio with the landscape architect Sturt Noble Associates.

One of the architects, Sean Choo of UP Architects, said: “The cascading forms of the building not only respects the natural form of the pristine landscape, but also ensures that every residence captures the breathtaking views over Cooper Park and beyond.

“The distinctive yet sensitive choice of materials, assembled through progressive detailing, creates a timeless piece of architecture that radiates atop the cliff like the jewel of a crown.

“It’s a privilege to be working so closely with the likes of William Smart and Dennis Rabinowitz on this project.”

Incredible design.

Outdoor entertainment areas.

Cramer said many people believe beautiful green views to be just as good as city and or harbour views.

“It is the freshness of air, sheer natural beauty and tranquillity,” he said.

“This is now very hard to find in areas close to the city.

“Overlooking Cooper Park is near impossible in a new development.”

Cramer said that Splendour would offer something far different than your typical inner-city apartment — a connection to nature. He’s expecting downsizers in particular to love it.

“When they move from a home – with a yard with trees and a suburban area — they are more and more wanting to have this connection and do not want to move into a concrete jungle,” Cramer added.

“I believe this is a growing trend.”

Amazing views.

Buyers will appreciate the natural setting.

Another attraction is that Splendour will be a relatively small development.

“The trend is to live in boutique developments,” Cramer said.

“Empty-nesters like the intimacy and sense of not being surrounded by hundreds of residents.”

Cramer added that despite COVID-19, better luxury quality developments are still selling well off-the-plan.

“With only 25 apartments, there is a sense of some urgency — regardless of the perceived downturn in the market,” he said.

Beautiful kitchens …

… and stylish bathrooms.

Wolanski has the final word: “Sitting upon a magnificent cliff, the views over the canopy of Cooper Park and beyond to the city and Opera House and Harbour Bridge are awe inspiring.

“It’s so peaceful, even though it is just a short stroll to Bondi Junction.

“I describe it as position and outlook extraordinaire perfect.”

The apartments consist of four two-bedrooms priced from $1.95 million; 10 three-bedrooms from $3.25 million; six four-bedroom apartments from $3.85 million and five penthouses priced from $3.6 million. The most expensive penthouse will cost $7.1 million.

The post Splendour in the grass: new apartments to overlook ‘Sydney’s secret garden’ Cooper Park appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A family already living in the same street pounced on this original Newtown house when it was auctioned on Saturday.

A Newtown family that had outgrown its current home but didn’t want to leave a much-loved neighbourhood has found the perfect next step under its nose.

It will trade townhouse living for a renovation-ready house in the riverside street where it already resides.

Buxton agent Matt Plunkett said the family beat three other bidders for the keys to 25 Ballater Ave, Newtown at auction on Saturday.

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The split-level floorplan has two living areas.

They paid $700,000 — $50,000 above reserve — for the original three-bedroom house on a 718sq m block that was offered for sale for the first time.

Mr Plunkett said all the buyers were looking to renovate the split-level residence with two living areas right near the Barwon River.

“The people that bought it are going to do a major renovation, they are going to knock down part of the house and do an extension,” Mr Plunkett said.

The kitchen is due for an update.

The riverside pocket offers a more affordable entry point into the Newtown market.

“They actually live in the street and they saw they corflute sign before the property went on the market.

“They are in a townhouse and they have got kids so they wanted something with more space but didn’t want to move too far away.”

He said the riverside pocket of Newtown was more affordable than other parts of the suburb and offered great access to nearby Barwon River walking trails.

The post Ballater Ave, Newtown original sells for $50K over reserve appeared first on realestate.com.au.