The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

Title Tattle

<html><body>
Businessman and commentator John Hewson has listed Invergowrie, the Tudor-style Exeter estate, this time for April 16 auction.
Built in the 1930s for the BHP industrialist Sir Cecil Hoskins, the seven bedroom house comes with library, ballroom, studies and billiard room.
The 26 acres grounds have Paul Sorensen gardens with tennis court, bocce pit, swimming pool, croquet lawn, orchard, vegetable gardens, a Japanese garden with waterfall, aviary and three guest houses.
Designed by architect Geoffrey Loveridge, Invergowie replaced Headlands, which had been owned by the Yates seed family.
Before that the Badgery family had what remains the landmark feature of the village of Exeter.
After several changes of ownership, Invergowrie was bought in the 1960s by the Fieldhouse family who invited Paul Sorenson to return and substantailly reverse his earlier planting; for while the Hoskins preferred to have trees and shrubs around the house leaving the boundaries open, the new owners wanted the main plantings to be on the boundaries.
Title Tattle gleans the main Invergowrie gates were relocated from Sydney in the late 1960s by the Fieldhouse family.
Hewson and his wife, Jessica Wilson have enlisted Michael Maloney at Richardson &amp; Wrench Bowral.
The trophy home sale came with $7.5 million expectations this time last year.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Invergowrie, Exeter relisted by John Hewson

<html><body>
Bishopscourt, the Anglican Church's redundant Darling Point trophy home after being perceived by church activists to be too grand, has been sold for just $18 million.
Bishopscourt, at 11 Greenoaks Avenue, is one of Sydney's most historic sandstone mansions. Details of an independent valuation of Bishopscourt by Colliers International obtained by Property Observer assessed the market value of the property as $24 million in 2009, when Sydney's $420,000 median dwelling price was almost half the current $810,000.
The sale price of the 6100 sqm holding reflected $2900 a square metre. Albeit nearer the harbour, Atherfield, another Gothic home listed currently with Christies International, comes with price hopes of more than $15 million, reflecting $13,000 per sqm. The $15 million Bellevue Hill Yoorami estate sold at $5200 a sqm last week. Darling Point's top sale remains last December's $23.2 million price secured for a contemporary home through the Agency by Coopes on Eastbourne Road at $25,000 a sqm.
Eastern suburbs estate agents always gave it a probable $25 million sale price, but the church spokesman Russell Powell recently sought to dampen expectations saying: “It is a very unique property but it isn’t the sort of place that a rock star would want to live in.” 
It was instead sold with lengthy delayed settlement terms to a buyer who fell in love with its gardens.
The $18 million sale price fell short of entry onto <a href="/news/james-packers-la-mer-unchallenged-atop-sydneys-top-10-trophy-home-sales-in-2015">Sydney's top 10 house sales on 2015.</a>
The property has been on and off the market for several years, with Craig Pontey at Ray White Double Bay coming up with the difficult sale. It was suppose to happen Tuesday with the church press release issuance delayed until today, Wednesday.
Millions will now likely be spent on its modernisation by the local buyers who will keep it as a residence.
The iconic 1840s Darling Point property had been expected to attract enormous local and international attention, but in the end Craig Pontey had just two local buyers for the heritage listed offering.
Neighbouring school Ascham wasn't that interested. The Moran family seem content with their nearby castellated abode, The Swifts, another Gothic home for archbishops in Darling Point, which was sold by Catholic Church in 1986 for $9 million.
"Not since the sale of Swifts has a similar property been brought to market," Craig Pontey said on its initial 2012 offering. 
The picturesque 1850s Darling Point mansion has been with the church since it paid £6,750 in 1910, so by next year's settlement some 106 years.
It's been home to eight archbishops, including Sir Marcus Loane, Donald Robinson, Harry Goodhew and its present occupant, the 12th archbishop of Sydney, Glenn N Davies, who recently called upon Sydney Anglicans to not only to pray for Syrian refugees but to prepare to provide a warm and generous welcome, coupled with practical assistance.
In the past the church has baulked at selling Bishopscourt, having contemplated it in 1963, 1982, 1991, 2001, and most recently in 2010 when defeated by the narrowest of margins.
In April 1993 Bishop Goodhew, when he was Archbishop-elect, stated “I think the time has come for the diocese to build a new residence for the bishop; one which is functional but not opulent”. No further action, however, was taken and Archbishop Goodhew moved in.
The latest decision to sell falls against the backdrop of the synod's reduced financial capacity after shocking stock market losses following the 2008 global financial crisis. It also poored fairly in its neighbouring residential apartment project.
Many of its parishes have revenues below the requisite amount so face the threat of ceasing to be a parish and becoming a provisional parish. The parishes of Willoughby East, Leichhardt and South Sydney have been among those on notice in recent times, along with the parishes of Auburn, Balmain, Bankstown, Coogee, Enmore/Stanmore, Kingsford, Mulgoa, Mt Druitt and Watsons Bay. 
Some church members argued that Bishopscourt produced no income, but cost at least $100,000 annually to keep in good repair. The Rector of Fairfield, Peter Lin, advised the synod in 2012 that $2 million dollars had been spent on the chimneys. He added some members of his congregation had been "scarred" by their visits there because the opulence contrasted with the way Christians lived in other countries, the Anglican press report of the 2012 sale debate noted.
Both something of exaggerations, as Property Observer understands maintenance and conservation work (excluding staff wages) undertaken at Bishopscourt in the a recent eight year period totalled $2.94 million, averaging therefore $368,000 per year.
Bishopscourt, which could revert to its earlier names of Percyville or Greenoaks, sits among the handful of pioneer homes to have survived from the 1850s.
Flowered in sandstone Gothic extravagances, it was built for the pioneer Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, who built an empire on wool, dairy, meat, mining and shipping.
The residence - mostly obscured by the fig trees on its 6216 square metre holding - was designed by architects John Hilly in the 1850s and Edmund Blacket in the 1860s. It was built around an original three-roomed 1835 cottage built for an ironmonger, Thomas Woolley.
Mort was a great supporter of the church, giving it the nearby land to build St Marks.
The church bought the estate from a land speculator in 1910, 32 years after Mort's death in 1878 and the departure of his family.
Prior to the purchase of Bishopscourt previous Bishops of Sydney had lived in a rented house in Darlinghurst (1837-1852), a rented house in Millers Point (1855-1857), and then a new house built in Randwick (on land exchanged for a site in Newtown) (1858-1911).
Shortly after his consecration in 1909, Bishop Wright had observed that the property in Randwick that had served as the residence of the Bishop of Sydney for over 50 years was “too far from the centre of things to be a city dwelling; not far enough out to be a country retreat”. The next year the Diocese bought the Greenoaks property in Darling Point. 
The Bishopscourt Sale Ordinance 2012 authorised the sale of Bishopscourt at any time within five years after the date of assent to the ordinance, ie by October 2017.
The 2012 synod was told an real estate agent familiar with Bishopscourt had indicated that there were buyers who are interested in such rare ‘icon’ properties, and that buyers in this market are not unduly concerned by the heritage issues involved.
"This view has been confirmed more recently by some other property professionals with a good knowledge of the current market for properties in the relevant price range in the Eastern Suburbs.
"It is considered that given the prevailing market and the ‘uniqueness’ of Bishopscourt its true value will not be known until expressions of interest are sought."
The sales subcommittee received indication from the real estate agent familiar with Bishopscourt that a number of potential residences would be available in the price range of $5 million to $7 million, subject to whatever requirements the Diocese may wish to include for entertainment areas and guest accommodation.
"Several of these properties have been viewed and deemed suitable," it noted, but no purchase has yet been advised.
Bishopscourt, symbolic of the Anglican Church’s historical place in the city of Sydney, includes sizeable gardens, accommodation for up to 12 guests, a conference room for 20, dining room seating up to 36, and off-street parking for 10-15 cars.
"Attempting to replicate these in an alternative residence would be difficult and the cost would be prohibitive," the synod was warned.
"The Archbishop’s ministry will always involve hospitality and entertainment, and the facilities for this should be available in a new residence.
"While recognising the potential any sale and purchase has to attract unwelcome publicity, the Standing Committee does not see that issue as sufficient to warrant the retention of the present property.
"Indeed, if well handled the sale of Bishopscourt should be seen for what it is, the most responsible course of action." 
Bishopscourt is one of the assets held by the Anglican Church Property Trust in the EOS’s capital fund. The Endowment of the See (EOS) - the fund from which distributions are made to support the office of the Archbishop - has been under financial pressure for some years despite making considerable savings in its expenditure, with a reduction from $7 million in 2008 to approximately $3 million per annum in 2012.
It was largely achieved by a reduction in staffing from 27 to 17.
</body></html>

Bishopscourt, Darling Point given away at $18 million by cash strapped Anglicans

<html><body>
A 500 square metre Port Melbourne full-floor penthouse has been listed by Jane Parker, who played a major role in the early years of the iconic Australian fashion brand Country Road alongside her brother, Stephen Bennett.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/124-1-graham-street-port-melbourne/Property-Details-buy-residential-9712043" target="_blank">The Portside apartment at 124/1 Graham Street</a> is being marketed to sell for more than $3.75 million at its November 21 auction.
It last traded at $2.9 million in 2005 having sold at $1.8 million in 2001. It was briefly listed in late 2010 with $4.5 million hopes.
The apartment offers four bedrooms, two living areas and an enormous terrace looking to the city skyline. It has three basement car spaces.
In 1974, Bennett was working for Thomas Wardle, a Flinders Lane fashion identity, when he borrowed $20,000 from his father-in-law.
He launched a range of shirts designed to cash in on the jeans boom. 
Country Road's original team consisted of Bennett, his former wife, Pam, and her sister (also a designer) Margaret McQueen.
They set up shop in Burwood Road, Hawthorn.
Designer Jane Parker joined a year later in 1975.
 
</body></html>

Country Road pioneer Jane Parker lists Port Melbourne penthouse

<html><body>
A record $30 million plus has been paid for Leura, the Bellevue Hill trophy home.
The businessman Ken Allen and his wife, Christine sold at an undisclosed price to an Australian Chinese buyer the day before its scheduled private auction.
The home was listed in August by Michael Finger and Diane Wilson of Ray White Double Bay.
One of Sydney's finest estates, the 1891 Bellevue Hill mansion has just had the six owners through its 125 years.
It was built on the Bellevue Hill ridge line for the Knox family, of the then burgeoning Colonial Sugar Refinery empire. 
The Federation Queen Anne style home dates back to the 1890s when built for Tom Knox, managing director of the Dalgety stock and station agency.
It last traded through Michael Finger in 1986 for a then very impressive $7.3 million when sold by the top end home restorer Bill Shipton and Zaro Elizov, who'd engaged building designer, Roderick Learoyd, trained at the Oxford School of Architecture, to assist in its renaissance. Mark Bouris helped in its financing.
The calendar company patriarch Ken Allen and his wife, Christine, have homes in New Zealand and London.
The eight bedroom, eight bathroom heritage home sits on a 4260 sqm block with tennis court and a swimming pool. It does now need renovations which limited some buying interest. 
It tops the $28 million suburb record set in 2013 when property developer Bob Ell bought Addenbrooke.
Leura has been <a href="/news/leura-the-trophy-home-bellevue-hill-spring-2015-offering">the spring of 2015's top listing</a> and now sale. Underbidders were advised they needed to quickly match the pre-auction offer which was not subject to FIRB approval.
</body></html>

Leura, Bellevue Hill trophy sold

<html><body>
The recently appointed AMP director, Holly Kramer and her husband, the former Canterbury Bulldogs chief Malcolm Noad turned gentleman farmer, sold their five bedroom Pymble home ahead of a scheduled weekend auction. 
The deal was secured late on Melbourne Cup day.
Scott Chadwick, of Chadwick Real Estate, was hoping to get close to $4 million for <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/35-telegraph-road-pymble/Property-Details-buy-residential-9681510" target="_blank">the five bedroom Telegraph Road property</a> which cost $3.1 million in 2010 when she was at Pacific Brands.
The couple plan to spend more time in the Southern Highlands where they have a 40 hectare cattle farm at Paddys River which runs 38 head of cattle. 
The couple who wed at Milton Park in 2003 met when she was Ford's marketing manager and he was group general manager of News Ltd.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
</body></html>

Former Canterbury Bulldogs chief Malcolm Noad sells in Pymble

<html><body>
The Academy Award-winner Adam Elliot has listed his Thornbury warehouse.
Nelson Alexander director Arch Staver has told inspectees Elliot’s next animation feature film project has triggered the move with his partner, Dan Doherty.
More than $840,000 is expected at the November 28 auction of 94A Harold Street.
Adam Elliot won Best Animated Short Film for Harvie Krumpet in 2004.
In 2013 his Prahran Edwardian residence (below) sold at $835,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/02/elliott.jpg" alt="elliott" width="470" height="353">
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom refurbished house had been bought by the couple for $600,000 in 2007.
</body></html>

Academy Award winner Adam Elliot lists Thornbury warehouse

<html><body><div id="AppleMailSignature">
The property developer Lim Sen Yap and his wife Elizabeth Garbacz have sold Djirang, their Vaucluse trophy home.
It was listed with $12 million plus expectations through Hamish Robertson at McGrath, who had the three storey Fisher Avenue home in conjunction with Christie's International.
The former chairman of retail property group Ipoh bought the historic F. Glynn Gilling-designed residence in 1996 for $3.4 million from restaurateur Harry Vardis. 
Ipoh Australia was the developer behind the QVB Building and Capitol Theatre restorations.
The home, built in the early 1940s for the Butler family and originally known as Marseilles, won Woollahra Council’s heritage conservation award in 2001.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 
</div></body></html>

Vaucluse trophy home Djirang sold

<html><body>
The Whale Beach oceanfront retreat of the late soprano Dame Joan Sutherland has been sold, in one of the quickest sales on the pricey northern beaches this year. 
Whispers are that $6.9 million was paid for the tightly held Rayner Road home <a href="https://palmbeach.ljhooker.com.au/35TF6Z/24---26-rayner-road-whale-beach" target="_blank">through David Edwards at LJ Hooker Palm Beach</a>. 
It was 38 years ago that the 1950s home on 3200 sqm sold for $167,000 to Sutherland, whose nickname La Stupenda was bestowed by an audience at Venice's famous La Fenice opera house in 1960 after a performance of Alcina. 
Villa Rocca Bella has been little used in recent times by her husband Richard Bonynge, who calls home Montreux in Switzerland. 
</body></html>

Villa Rocca Bella at Whale Beach sold by Richard Bonynge

<html><body>
The interior designer and television personality Darren Palmer has listed his home in Edgecliff. 
The judge on the hit TV renovation show The Block is off to a bigger, more family friendly home at Bondi Beach.
The redundant three bedroom, two bathroom home - which can be bought with all of Darren's finishes - has been stylishly transformed since it was purchased in 2013.
<a href="https://www.goodyer.com.au/buying/NSW/Eastern-Suburbs/Edgecliff/House/1P3097" target="_blank">Pauline Goodyer of Goodyer Real Estate</a> has the listing inconjunction with <a href="https://doublebay.ljhooker.com.au/MRVF93/21-walker-avenue-edgecliff" target="_blank">David Malouf at LJ Hooker Double Bay</a>.
Based on a recent $2.3 million record sale in the street, the Walker Avenue property will courtyard is estimated to fetch upwards of $2 million.
Ready to move into after its remodelling from a one bedroom abode, it now has two bedrooms downstairs, plus a whole floor upstairs master with walk-in robe, luxury ensuite plus a balcony deck.
The fully renovated Federation Edgecliff home goes to December 1 auction.
Darren has been married for four and a half years to cosmetic industry CEO, Olivier Duvillard. 
Queensland-born Palmer has been involved in design since the age of 17 where he left his home town to study fine art and design.
His property successes included selling his Cahors, Potts Point investment apartment for $540,000 two years ago. 
The couple have decided to live the beach style with their son.
The couple secured their new home in Bondi Beach earlier this year.
Spread across 470 sqm, it is a five bedroom, four bathroom house with a detached self-contained studio surrounded by a lavish oasis garden for their three dogs and a cat to roam around. 
The nice guy judge on The Block, who came to prominence when he filled in for John McGrath, also runs his own successful interior design called Darren Palmer studio.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
</body></html>

Block designer judge Darren Palmer lists Edgecliff home

<html><body>
The Portsea boat shed 23 fetched a record $615,000 when auctioned this weekend.
Set at the foot of the track to Shelley Beach it (pictured above) had been tightly held for over four decades.
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8GOUDfCQAEK-XS.jpg" alt="Embedded image permalink" width="100%" style="font-size: 12.16px; line-height: 1.3em;">
<div>
<div data-card-url="//twitter.com/titletattle/status/558884304105639936/photo/1" data-card-type="photo" data-element-context="platform_photo_card">
The most recent Shelley Beach, Portsea boat shed auction was on the 2015 Australia Day weekend auction (pictured above) which fetched $553,000 for box 28.
Another boatshed on the beach set a record $585,000 in 2011 when five families competed for the box 27 offering.
In 2010 a pair of young families paid $455,000 for boat shed 21 on Shelley Beach.
</div>
</div>
In late 2007 there was a $362,000 sale.
It is one of about 40 bathing boxes on Shelley Beach.
There are about 2000 boatsheds and bathing boxes around Victoria, predominantly on the shores of Port Phillip Bay and Western Port.
Shelley Beach is considered Victoria's most exclusive holiday locale as its offers cliff top owners uninterrupted northern views over the bay.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/23-boat-shed-shelley-beach-foreshore-portsea/Property-Details-buy-residential-9557544" target="_blank">Box 23 was offered for Sunday auction onsite by Kay &amp; Burton</a> agent Liz Jensen and auctioned by the agency's veteran Gerald Delany who shows no signs of handing in his gavel as he approaches 65 next week.  
</body></html>

Title Tattle

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Title Tattle

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News