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David Murray, a former chief executive of the Commonwealth Bank, and his wife, Stephanie, have sold their grand Hunters Hill home for a suburb record of $26.25 million.
Settlement documents on Wednesday revealed the six-bedroom, five-bathroom sandstone mansion had been transferred to a mystery buyer, with a company name linked to a property lawyer from law firm Pigott Stinson.
The $26.25 million sales figure surpasses the previous suburb record of $26.1 million that was set in December 2024 with the sale of a five-bedroom, four-bathroom house, sold to property developer Oscar Gonzalez and his wife, Maria, from businessman Ma Kin Kwan.
Murray’s luxury home hit the market in May last year, with the listing agent declining to comment when contacted by this masthead. The listing disappeared months later, suggesting a sale, but the agent was again tight-lipped.
Records show the Murrays purchased one property for $3.3 million in 1999 and then bought the home next door for $4.1 million in 2005 to make one grand estate. There is a tennis court with harbour views, a pool, gym, multiple alfresco entertainment zones and a boat shed.
Interiors feature curved archways, ornate ceilings, stained-glass windows, plush carpet and a contemporary kitchen.
Murray retired in September 2005 after 13 years in the Commonwealth Bank’s top job. He confirmed that he would get a payout of at least $25 million, as previously reported by The Australian Financial Review.
Millennial entrepreneur settles on Point Piper
Shant Kradjian, 39, the founder of digiDirect, a retailer specialising in camera equipment, has emerged on settlement documents as the buyer of a $26.5 million Point Piper address.
A sold sticker indicated a sale by private treaty on October 1, with the sales price disclosed. It was left to transfer documents published last week to reveal Kradjian as the buyer.
Kradjian told this masthead he will proceed with the DA-approved plans for a four-level, five-bedroom, five-bathroom mansion designed by architect Koichi Takada.
The existing dwelling on the waterfront site is a green weatherboard boathouse with pool, previously owned by Jake O’Neil, director of Addenbrooke, a property investment and development company, and his heiress wife, Louise Hay.
Jake is the son of property mogul and yachtsman Denis O’Neil, and Louise is the daughter of the late Donald Hay, household brush pioneer and founder of Hayco.
The boat shed has long been in the O’Neil family. In 2019, it was transferred solely into Jake’s name for $3.7 million from a company where Denis is listed as co-director. That company bought the property for $1,971,500 in 1998.
Kradjian’s new residence will include a three-car garage with turntable, an entertainment area with pool, a cabana-style dining terrace and deep-water boating facilities. Views stretch across Rose Bay and Vaucluse, including Rose Bay Marina, owned by Jake’s father.
Kradjian is chief executive of the digiDirect Group that now includes retail brands Booktopia, Mwave and James Bennett. He swooped in to rescue online bookseller Booktopia from administration in 2024 for an undisclosed sum.
The digiDirect Group turned over $235 million in fiscal 2024 as previously reported by this masthead.
Elliott Placks of Ray White Double Bay sold the property to Kradjian.
Rose Bay deal under way
Rich lister Tony Denny, founder of Central Real Capital, has emerged as the buyer of a Rose Bay waterfront mansion that hit the market in October with a price guide of $59 million.
An update on the title for the five-bedroom, six-bathroom residence revealed a caveat had been placed by a company of which Denny is listed as director. It will be left to settlement to reveal the sale price.
The property is still in the name of Indulgence magazine owner Linge Dai, who bought the abode for a suburb record-breaking $54.6 million in February last year from recycled shopping bag businessman Frank Qiang Geng and Juanjuan Zhao.
Dai and his family are relocating after their child achieved success in tennis. They have purchased a new residence with a private tennis court to support their training and lifestyle.
Monika Tu and Jad Khattar of Black Diamondz Property Concierge launched the property to market, but when the listing disappeared from property portals this year they were unavailable for comment.
The four-level residence offers 180-degree views of Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge and the city skyline.
Interiors include glass-wrapped living spaces, an expansive living and dining area, a professional-grade kitchen, cinema, home office and a full-floor entertainment zone with billiards area. There are sun-drenched terraces, landscaped gardens, a pool and spa.
Denny made his fortune selling cars in Europe before selling up his dealership AAA Autos to Polish private equity firm Abris Capital Partners for $320 million in 2014.
He later turned into a property developer as founder and chief executive of Central Real Capital, now focusing on real estate private credit.
Denny’s estimated wealth is $780 million, according to the AFR’s 2025 Rich List.
