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Sydney’s famous wedding cake home in Seaforth that is instantly recognisable when driving along the Spit Bridge or cruising along Middle Harbour has sold for a figure around the $9 million guide, local sources have revealed.
The three-storey, five-bedroom, three-bathroom mansion with design cues from European architecture, hit the market in August for the first time since it was built in the 1980s.
A sale sticker went up on the listing, indicating a sale by private treaty on April 20 with the sale price undisclosed.
It was left to local sources to reveal a figure as Pillinger’s Brad Pillinger and Matt Brady of Belle Property Seaforth were tight-lipped when contacted by this masthead. The exact sale price and buyer’s identity will be revealed at settlement.
The existing property on the waterfront 1100-square-metre parcel was purchased by painter-builder Nikolaous Dimitriadis, and his dressmaker wife, Kiriaky, sight unseen on the day of the auction in 1979 for $93,000.
He knocked it down and enlisted architect Robert Blackmore for the new build, creating a solid home with a vantage point from every room.
While the pair hailed from Greece (Nikolaous from Athens and Kiriaky from Lipsi, a small island of the Dodecanese group), they travelled separately to Australia and met in a small milk bar on Lyons Road in Drummoyne.
Although Nikolaous passed away shortly after, he was survived by his wife and children, who lived at the grand residence that housed countless parties and memories for decades.
There are two entertaining balconies with classic colonnades and arches, drawing on the Dimitriadis family’s heritage, tiled and terrazzo floors, unique ceiling and wall detailing, space for a pool and approved DA plans for a pontoon and jetty.
Home once owned by TV legend sells again
The Middle Cove mansion in Sydney, once owned by the late Channel Nine newsreader Brian Henderson, has sold again for about $12.5 million, local sources have revealed.
Vendors Jane and Neil Livesey bought the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home for $11.5 million in 2021 from Henderson’s widow, Marie-Louise Henderson, known as Mardi, records show. Jane is Microsoft’s corporate vice president and managing director for Australia and New Zealand, and Neil is a co-director of consulting firm Alchemy Partners.
Brian hosted Nine’s Sydney weeknight news bulletin from 1957 until his retirement in 2002, becoming Australia’s longest-serving news presenter. He also hosted Bandstand from 1958 to 1972 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009. Brian died in August 2021, aged 89, prompting Mardi to list the home. Nine owns this masthead.
A sold sticker went up on the most recent listing, indicating a sale by private treaty on May 2 with the sale price undisclosed. It was left to local sources not authorised to comment publicly to reveal a sales figure of about $12.5 million, which was also the auction guide.
Agents Peter Kakos, Michael Coombs and Alicia Chen of Atlas Lower North Shore declined to comment on any aspect of the sale when contacted by this masthead. The exact sale price and buyer’s identity will be revealed at settlement.
The Hendersons bought the existing property on the site for $850,000 in 1994, and commissioned architect Mike Macaulay to design a contemporary two-storey residence with a reflection pond and views over Fig Tree Cove.
Jane told this masthead that she and Neil undertook a two-year renovation on the abode, enlisting builder Tony Kerle and interior designer Marj Silva. Jane styled the home.
The result is a stunning design with steel-framed windows, oak parquetry floors, Calacatta Viola marble detail in the kitchen, New Zealand wool carpets, bronze hardware and a concrete fluted bath in the main bedroom.
Leisure zones include a wraparound limestone entertainer’s terrace and refurbished spa, an outdoor kitchen with built-in barbecue, a gym, marble bar and wine cellar.
Penthouse apartment for sale
A luxurious penthouse apartment in Double Bay that was bought off-the-plan in 2022 and underwent a substantial renovation after, is on the market with a price guide of $14.5 million.
Christine Bolland, and her husband, Trevor, the chief executive officer and co-founder of nutritional supplement brand Nuzest, purchased the four-bedroom, four-bathroom property for $12 million in 2022, records show. They are understood to be downsizing.
Christine, who has a particular interest in interior design and architecture, told this masthead they did a substantial renovation to the unit, making changes to the walls, floors and lighting.
The unit with its house-like proportions was developed by SJD and its original architecture and interiors were by Bates Smart.
Listing photos reveal sculptural forms and curved lines, and accents of stone, bronze, timber and glass.
Premium features include lift access, keyless entry and smart home technology. There are expansive living and dining zones, a wine cellar and two car spaces.
An auction has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30, and the selling agents are Jason Boon and Geoff Cox of Richardson & Wrench Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point, in conjunction with Maclay Longhurst and James Dunn of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty.
