James Fairfax lists his George Freedman-fitted Woollahra retreat

James Fairfax lists his George Freedman-fitted Woollahra retreat
Jonathan ChancellorMay 2, 2013

James Fairfax, the philanthropic former chairman of the publishing company that bears his family name,  has listed his Woollahra retreat.

It's been his parkfront city residence in the prized Edward Street cul-de-sac since 1992.

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The north-facing architectural gem with two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms was custom-fitted internally by the internationally acclaimed George Freedman in the mid-1990s.

It fills with northerly light and parkland views from its compact 234 square metre holding.

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Much of its elegant scale arises from its indoor/outdoor lifestyle composition.

Its layout includes limestone floors and terraces that overlook peaceful Zen gardens.

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The freestanding home has been marketed as a "unique private work-of-art with Bauhaus and oriental influences."

It has post-modernist cachet, the ads suggest.

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Offers are due May 31  through Michael Dunn and Robynne Arnouts at Richardson & Wrench Double Bay in conjunction with Tim Pockley at Pockley & Roderick.

They are quoting around $4 million.

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Featured in the architectural and design magazine, Monument, James Fairfax moved into the home after he sold Glanworth, his Darling Point harbourfront mansion to the Singaporean hotel magnate, Ho Whye Chung for $8.5 million in 1994.

The eldest son of the late median tycoon Sir Warwick Fairfax, James Fairfax was until the late 1980s a director and chairman of the now ailing Fairfax media empire.

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It is understood the philanthropic former newspaper man has listed the property just to reduce by one the many abodes he currently maintains.

He will retain the historic Retford Park in the NSW southern highlands, the Bilgola beachhouse, Ginahgulla, along with Stanbridge Mill at Dorset, England.

Some land is currently being sub-divided off Retford Park, two of which go to auction this weekend.

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.