An 1880s timber cottage that has survived Kangaroo Point's transformation from riverside suburb to high-density apartment precinct is set to become the centrepiece of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/zephyr">Zephyr Group</a>'s proposed Banksia development.

Rather than see the locally heritage-listed Alpha Cottage as an obstacle to navigate, plans integrate the landmark home into a new 18-storey residential tower, giving one of the suburb's oldest surviving residences a new role as the project's communal hub.

The development application covers a 1,177 sqm amalgamated site at 127-133 Lambert Street and 30 Shafston Avenue, where Zephyr Group plans to deliver 64 apartments above three basement levels. Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/joe-adsett-architects">Joe Adsett Architects</a>, the proposal carefully weaves the retained heritage cottage into a contemporary residential scheme, with the tower elevated above the historic building to preserve its presence within the Lambert Street streetscape.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9dc5bdb-d691-4c60-bf2b-c3ed405a3e75" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Banksia.png?VersionId=Jh4bjlewU.o8HXWt0V4KaFA_lPcF7KWM" />

Named after the native Australian Banksia flower, the project draws inspiration from its distinctive form through curved balconies, sculpted planter boxes and cascading subtropical landscaping that soften the building's profile.

As the design report explains: "The tower's identity is defined by its feature facade, drawing direct inspiration from the Banksia wildflower. The building departs from traditional rigidity through the use of elegant, GRC-moulded planter boxes that appear as if shaped by the breeze."

Plans propose 64 apartments, comprising 32 two-bedroom and 32 three-bedroom residences, across an 18-storey tower. Residents would have access to rooftop amenities including a swimming pool, spa, gym, sauna, private cinema, dining spaces and landscaped recreation areas, while more than half the site is dedicated to planting and open space.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16041b5f-033e-47fa-8fbe-9886e072c1f2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pool.png?VersionId=kpx5w4EbLx0_TdWfDoD1vrSs0_cZ5Ao1" />

The heritage component is the defining feature of the proposal. Constructed in the early 1880s and occupied from at least 1883, Alpha Cottage is recognised by Brisbane City Council as an important surviving example of Kangaroo Point's nineteenth-century residential development and as a representative transverse-gable timber cottage. Despite extensive redevelopment across the peninsula, the building has retained a high degree of its original form and internal fabric.

As part of the redevelopment, the cottage will be carefully relocated a short distance within its original allotment to facilitate construction before being returned to a prominent position along Lambert Street. Original verandah elements will be dismantled, catalogued and reinstated, while significant internal features, including timber flooring, wall linings, joinery, doors, windows and hardware, will be retained. Later additions, including the enclosed rear verandah, will be removed to better reveal the building's original form.

Once restored, Alpha Cottage will accommodate the building manager's office, mail room and parcel facilities, providing an active everyday use that supports its long-term conservation rather than preserving it as a static display. The heritage strategy also maintains landscaped space around the building, allowing it to remain visually distinct beneath the new tower.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="43b027e1-576e-4624-a66c-7cc54ea8b7be" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/banksia%20tower.png?VersionId=2W6E2yfkj2AQlWlLeV986grA5zB9f817" />

The Heritage Impact Assessment concludes that "the proposal secures the ongoing occupation, maintenance and conservation of Alpha Cottage," finding the development would result in "no more than a minor impact on the cultural heritage significance" of the building while ensuring its long-term future.

Joe Adsett Architects have designed the tower to sit above the heritage building rather than overwhelm it, creating a clear visual separation between old and new. The development's flowing balconies, integrated planting and organic façade respond to Brisbane's subtropical climate while complementing the restored cottage below.

Banksia occupies a prominent corner in Kangaroo Point within walking distance of the Kangaroo Point Bridge, Brisbane River, ferry services, QUT, the CBD and the Woolloongabba precinct. The site also benefits from direct access to active transport infrastructure and sits within an area earmarked for continued higher-density residential growth.

Joel Robinson

Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage

Buying into a masterplanned community often means committing to a vision still years from taking shape. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>, that vision is already visible.

Residents have moved into the completed first stage, landscaped spaces are established, and the next chapter is now underway. Stage 1 has been completed and settled, with Stage 2 now selling off-the-plan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> combines attainable apartment living with sustainability initiatives rarely seen at this price point, including rooftop solar, battery storage and a resident EV-sharing program.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6RNt3AvtBpI?si=JUhuCV2ZRXsYaoJZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Located on Schofi​elds Road, just moments from Tal​lawong Metro Station and Schof​ields Train Station, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been designed to appeal to a broad mix of buyers, from first-home purchasers looking for a foothold in Sy​dney's property market to downsizers seeking a connected, low-maintenance lifestyle.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been conceived as a thoughtfully planned masterplanned community that will evolve over multiple stages, with buyers now able to secure one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a neighbourhood that is already beginning to establish its identity.

One of the project's defining features is its focus on sustainability. Solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure have been incorporated throughout the development, reflecting a long-term approach to both environmental performance and everyday convenience.

Sustainability sits at the centre of the development's vision, with solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure integrated throughout the community.

That emphasis on future-ready living extends beyond the technology. Landscaped communal gardens, outdoor gathering spaces and plans for a future retail precinct aim to create a neighbourhood where residents can access daily conveniences without travelling far from home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351027]

The apartments themselves have been designed with liveability front of mind. Rather than chasing maximum density, the focus has been placed on creating practical homes with generous natural light, usable layouts and strong connections to outdoor space.

Importantly, these design principles have been applied consistently across the one, two and three-bedroom apartment offerings.

The appeal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> is also closely linked to its location within Syd​ney's rapidly evolving north-west growth corridor. Over the past decade, major infrastructure investment has transformed the area, with new transport links, business precincts and community facilities reshaping suburbs like Talla​wong and Schofiel​ds.

The agent says buyers are increasingly recognising the area's long-term potential.

"Typical buyers that we're finding across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> especially are your first-home buyers, your investors, your upsizers as well as your downsizers," Hawes says.

Connectivity remains one of the project's strongest drawcards. Residents have access to both Tallaw​ong Metro Station and Schofi​elds Train Station, providing links to the Sydn​ey CBD, Norw​est Business Park, Macquari​e Park and other major employment hubs. Retail centres including Rous​e Hill Town Centre and Sch​ofields Village are also nearby, alongside schools, parks and future healthcare infrastructure.

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For Stage 1 resident Roji, it is the balance between convenience and comfort that has defined the experience of living at Kew.

"For me, it's a balance of quality and convenience," she says. "Everything I need is right here."

"If I wanted to catch the train, Scho​fields Station is just around the corner. Tallaw​ong Metro connects me to the city."

More importantly, she says, the development has delivered something that cannot be measured in floorplans or specifications.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> feels like home."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351024]

As Stage 2 enters the market, that lived experience may be one of the project's strongest selling points. Buyers are not purchasing into an untested concept or a future promise. They are joining a community that is already taking shape.

Ongoing investment in transport, retail, healthcare and public open space continues to strengthen the appeal of Syd​ney's north-west growth corridor, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>'s established first stage provides buyers with a tangible sense of the community's future direction.

For a limited time, buyer can secure a new home at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> with just a $10,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149637]

Kew Tallawong: A growing community taking shape in Sydney's north-west

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/freecity">Freecity</a> has received development approval for its 51-storey mixed-use tower at 153-157 Walker Street, North Sydney, set to be one of the tallest mixed-use residential-led buildings in one of Sydney’s most sought-after commercial and residential addresses.

Lodged as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) through the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway and approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure following a comprehensive public exhibition and submissions process, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/153-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">the project</a> will deliver 296 apartments, alongside a 170-room, luxury hotel, activated retail and significant public domain improvements.

Situated just 200 metres from Victoria Cross Metro Station, on one of the largest developable sites in North Sydney, the development will rise to 234 metres, making it one of the tallest buildings in the suburb. With an end value of approximately $1.5 billion, the project responds directly to the NSW Government’s mandate to accelerate housing delivery in well-located, transit-connected areas.

<img alt="Freecity gets green light for mixed-use residential and hotel tower in North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="192ec455-94bf-4e01-83ef-922b1b269d67" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Freecity%20-%20Walker%20Street%20North%20Sydney%201%20RESIZED%20.jpg?VersionId=Bzqp0SBHCDvLAHjA4QXkjuGoOEIh73Jl" />

The apartment mix will cater to a broad range of buyers, with 65 studio and one-bedroom apartments, 139 two-bedroom residences, 35 three-bedroom apartments, 48 four-bedroom homes, and nine penthouses. Residents will have access to a dedicated amenity level on Level 33, featuring a swimming pool with views towards the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and North Sydney CBD, as well as a gym, library, shared kitchen, lounge and outdoor entertaining areas.

The hotel will occupy the lower six levels of the building and include meeting and function spaces, a wellness centre with gym, yoga studio, swimming pool and sauna, further strengthening North Sydney's growing hospitality offering.

At ground level, the development has been designed to improve pedestrian connections through the precinct. More than 700 sqm of retail space will activate the street frontage, while a landscaped through-site link connecting Walker Street, Little Walker Street and Doris Fitton Park will provide new public open space with seating, paving and extensive native landscaping.

Freecity Group Co-Founder and Joint CEO Tony Sun said the project represents one of the most significant development opportunities currently available in North Sydney.

"This is one of the most significant development sites in North Sydney and it comes at a pivotal moment for the precinct," Sun said.

"North Sydney is undergoing a genuine transformation, and this project will contribute housing the city urgently needs while creating a landmark destination."

Executive Director of Development Michael Romano said demand for both residential and hotel accommodation would continue to strengthen as the Metro precinct matures.

"The structural demand for high-quality housing and hotel accommodation in North Sydney is compelling, and will only grow as the precinct continues to evolve around the new Metro station," Romano said.

Architectus has designed the tower, orientating the apartments to maximise views towards Sydney Harbour while introducing a sculpted façade intended to respond to light, wind and the surrounding skyline.

Architectus Principal Marko Damic said the design sought to create a tower that contributes to the public realm as much as the skyline.

"We wanted to design a tower that doesn't just sit in the skyline but actively participates and contributes to city life," Damic said.

First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> have celebrated the topping out of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf,</a> marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of Syd​ney's most anticipated waterfront communities.

Located on Sydney's harbourfront at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a>, the project has now reached its highest structural point, with construction progressing strongly towards completion in 2027. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone was celebrated on-site with project partners Phoenix Property Investors, Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Versatile Construction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, consultants and stakeholders, to recognise the collective effort behind the transformation of the historic waterfront site into a vibrant new residential, marina and lifestyle destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362240] 
&nbsp; 
<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will deliver a mix of waterfront residences and terraces, complemented by a private 36-berth marina, waterfront dining opportunities and a revitalised foreshore designed to reconnect the community with the river's edge. 
&nbsp; 
Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said the project represented a rare opportunity to create the next chapter in Sydn​ey's long history of successful waterfront precincts. 
&nbsp; 
"Throughout Sydney, some of the city's most sought-after addresses have emerged from carefully considered waterfront precincts such as Woolloom​ooloo Wharf, Walsh Bay and Breakfast Point," Brown said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362566] 
&nbsp; 
"What makes these places so successful is that they become much more than residential developments," Brown said.

"They bring together homes, hospitality, marina facilities, public spaces and a strong sense of community in locations where future supply is incredibly limited."

Brown has long described absolute waterfront land in Sy​dney as "finite."

"Once these opportunities are developed, they are rarely replicated. That's why Syd​ney's waterfront precincts have consistently demonstrated strong demand and long-term value growth over many decades. 
&nbsp; 
"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is one of the few remaining opportunities to secure a residence within a masterplanned waterfront community that combines direct water access, marina ownership opportunities and a genuine village lifestyle just moments from the Sy​dney CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362564] 
&nbsp; 
PERIFA Founder and Managing Director Fabrizio Perilli said the project reflected a shared commitment to delivering exceptional places that create long-term value for residents and the broader community. 
&nbsp; 
"The topping out milestone is a significant achievement for the Versatile Group and a testament to the collaboration between all project partners, consultants and contractors involved," Perilli said. 
&nbsp; 
"Beyond the residences themselves, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will establish a new waterfront destination that celebrates the history, character and lifestyle of this unique location while creating a lasting legacy for future generations."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=291195] 
&nbsp; 
Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile">Versatile Construction</a>, with structural works now substantially complete across the precinct. Attention will progressively shift to the construction of the waterview terraces, apartment façades, services and interior fit-out works over the coming months. 
&nbsp; 
With limited residences and marina berths remaining, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> continues to attract strong interest from owner occupiers and downsizers seeking a premium waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to Putne​y Village, Rh​odes, Top Ry​de and the Syd​ney CBD. 
&nbsp; 
As one of the last opportunities to secure a residence within a new masterplanned waterfront community on Sy​dney Harbour, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is expected to remain a highly sought-after address for years to come.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13962]

Abadeen, PERIFA, top out Putney Wharf harbourfront precinct

Kew has long been regarded as one of Melbourne's premier residential suburbs. It's a location defined by its grand period homes, leafy streets and some of the city's most prestigious schools, yet it has often sat just outside the spotlight cast on neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell.

Increasingly, however, buyers are recognising that Kew offers much of what draws people to those suburbs, with a quieter residential setting, exceptional amenity and long-term owner-occupier appeal.

Within a few minutes' walk, residents can access Kew Junction, one of Melbourne's most established village centres. Cafés, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique retailers and everyday services are all on the doorstep, with local favourites including Centonove, Adeney Milk Bar Cafe, and Frank &amp; Harri creating the type of walkable lifestyle that has become increasingly difficult to find in Melbourne's inner east. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Glenferrie Road's renowned shopping and dining precinct in Hawthorn and the retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Camberwell Junction are both just a short drive or tram ride away.

The suburb is equally well connected. Tram routes 48 and 109 provide direct access to the CBD, while High Street and Cotham Road connect residents to the wider inner east.&nbsp;Nearby access to the Eastern Freeway also places the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Airport within easy reach, adding another layer of convenience for weekend travel.&nbsp;It's a rare combination of connectivity and tranquillity, where quiet residential streets sit just moments from some of Melbourne's most established shopping and lifestyle precincts.

For families, Kew remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held addresses. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Xavier College, Methodist Ladies' College, Trinity Grammar, Ruyton Girls' School and Genazzano FCJ College are all nearby, while the Yarra River parklands, walking trails and sporting clubs provide another layer of lifestyle appeal.

It's within this established pocket that developer Ricdanic is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wimba-ave-kew-9-11-wimba-avenue-kew-vic-3101">Wimba Ave</a>, a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings named after its location on the tree-lined Wimba Avenue,&nbsp;within one of Kew's most prestigious pockets where homes have been known to sell up to and above $8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=354809]

The residences prioritise the space that buyers are increasingly searching for but struggling to find in established suburbs. Living areas extend beyond five metres in width, ceiling heights range from three to five metres, and apartments open onto private gardens averaging around 125 sqm. Selected residences also feature balconies of approximately 60 sqm, while premium inclusions include Miele appliances, double-glazed windows, EV readiness, fully electric systems and a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.

Architect Chris Idle says opportunities to deliver homes of this scale within established suburbs have become increasingly uncommon.

"There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs," he says. "To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

The architecture draws on Kew's established character through the use of handmade Krause bricks, while landscaping by John Patrick introduces 23 plant species, including nine native varieties, creating an environment which focuses just as much on nature as it does the building.

Construction on Wimba Ave is well underway by renowned high-end builder Sinjen, with completion expected in late 2027. Prices start from $2.22 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140755]

The enduring appeal of Kew's tree-lined streets and village lifestyle

Bellevue Hill

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Monica Saunders-Weinberg, one of Australia’s richest women, is planning an amalgamation of her two Bellevue Hill properties.
The heiress to the fortune of her late father John Saunders, co-founder of shopping giant Westfield, has lodged a dual occupancy application for her dress circle Drumalbyn Road holdings.
She also wants a tennis court included in the $2.8 million Luigi Rosselli plans being reviewed at Woollahra Council.
It was in 2016 when Saunders-Weinberg spent $6 million on the Tudor-style residence (above), next door to her $20 million home she has owned since 2010.
She has just arrived back in Sydney after holidaying in Israel, with a stop off in Paris.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph. 
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firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Shopping centre heiress to amalgamate Bellevue Hill properties

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McGrath chief executive Geoff Lucas has listed in Cremorne after he bought in Bellevue Hill where he secured half a Palladian villa.
It has been listed for August 17 auction through McGrath agent Claudia Portale.
Lucas had previously listed his Wonga Road property (above and below) in early 2018 when its failed to sell when listed by the now departed McGrath agents Adrian Bridges and Michael Coombs.
It was listed with <a href="/news/wonga-road-cremorne-offering-by-former-mcgrath-executive">$6 million to $6.6 million hopes</a> in February 2018.
Lucas paid $3,425,000 for the home in 2005, snapping it up pre-auction after just 12 days.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/7/25/Geoff%20Lucas%20Wonga%202.jpg" alt="">
He owns 1/100th and wife, Nicola the 99/100ths.
The Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill duplex (below) was bought after being passed in at June auction at $5.825 million.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom Mediterranean-style mansion (above and below) was built in 1992 on its 725 sqm block with views over Royal Sydney Golf Course to the harbour and the ocean. 
The Briggs family had bought it for $3.525 million in 2002.
The property comes with pool and tennis court, which is shared with the neighbour.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/26/Geoff%20Lucas%20Bellevue%20Hill%203.jpg" alt="">
It was listed for Sothebys auction in April last year with overly ambitious $7 million to $7.5 million price guidance.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/26/Geoff%20Lucas%20Bellevue%20Hill.jpg" alt="">
Lucas returned to McGrath, the ASX listed company in February last year as its chief executive.
Its lower north shore office has been ravaged by agent departures.
The office lists just three agents including William Manning who has been based in Sydney's east.
 
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McGrath chief executive Geoff Lucas lists in Cremorne after buying half a Palladian villa in Bellevue Hill

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McGrath chief executive Geoff Lucas has bought in Bellevue Hill securing half a Palladian villa.
The Victoria Road duplex was bought after being passed in at auction at $5.825 million. There has been no sale price reveal yet among the increasingly-garrulous, but so-called tight lipped eastern suburb agents and buyers' agent.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom Mediterranean-style mansion (above and below) was built in 1992 on its 725 sqm block with views over Royal Sydney Golf Course to the harbour and the ocean. 
The Briggs family had bought it for $3.525 million in 2002.
The property comes with pool and tennis court, which is shared with the neighbour.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/26/Geoff%20Lucas%20Bellevue%20Hill%203.jpg" alt="">
Not sure what the arrangement is but when ad man Michael Ball and wife Daria owned it in the mid-1990s, they played tennis on odd days of the month, with the plastic surgeon Ted Gibson and wife Barbie playing on the even days when they owned the southern half of the Lucienne de Mestre-designed villa. 
It was offered through Steven Zellner of L&amp;S Double Bay who has been involved in its first sale in 1995 at $2.1 million.
It was listed for Sothebys auction in April last year with overly ambitious $7 million to $7.5 million price guidance.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/6/26/Geoff%20Lucas%20Bellevue%20Hill.jpg" alt="">
Lucas will relist his Wonga Road, Cremorne property, which he owns with wife Nicola.
It struggled to sell when listed for the now departed McGrath agents Adrian Bridges and Michael Coombs.
It was listed with <a href="/news/wonga-road-cremorne-offering-by-former-mcgrath-executive">$6 million to $6.6 million hopes</a>.
Lucas paid $3,425,000 for the home in 2005, snapping it up pre-auction after just 12 days.
He owns 1/100th and wife, Nicola the 99/100ths.
Lucas returned to the ASX listed company in February last year as its chief executive.
He had left his role as McGrath Ltd chief operating officer in 2016 to briefly take a job at the NSW bread maker and café group, Sonoma after being at the estate agency for almost eight years.
Lucas had a 4.3 percent shareholding in the McGrath Group on his departure, with the 5.7 million shares then sold, according to the 2018 annual report.
On his return the McGrath shareholders were advised Lucas was entitled to a total fixed annual base salary of $500,000 (inclusive of statutory superannuation).
Lucas was also eligible to participate in McGrath's short term incentive plan, up to 50 percent of base salary per annum, subject to the satisfaction of key performance indicators.
Lucas was to be eligible for securities valued at up to 50 percent of base salary per annum pursuant to a new McGrath Equity Incentive Plan being developed by the company, which is likely to include vesting over a three year period and financial targets, subject to Lucas' continuing employment with McGrath during the period.
His employment contract includes a restraint of trade period of 18 months preventing him from competing with McGrath should he leave again.
The board granted 2,500,000 share options to Lucas as part of the CEO LTI Program in May 2018. The options have a grant date fair value of $0.092 per option.
The shares are trading at 24 cents.
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McGrath chief executive Geoff Lucas buys half a Palladian villa in Bellevue Hill

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A luxury $12 million Bellevue Hill trophy home will take a starring role in the next My Kitchen Rules.
Seven has taken a three-month lease on the grand Mediterranean-inspired manor with Sydney Harbour views.
It’s not been revealed just how the six-bedroom home fits into the reality cooking show format, but it is likely to be an elimination house where meals are prepared for hosts Pete Evans and Manu Feildel, among others.
Houses at Kenthurst and Dural were briefly occupied in past series. Channel 7 has applied­ to Woollahra Council for permission to film from July through to September.
Contestant applications for the show closed last month, just after cricketing buddies Matt and Luke won the 10th series.
Seven advised neighbours the majority of filming will be conducted inside, although there is an amazing parterre garden with harbour views.
Neighbours have been assured “there will be no special effects, discharge of firearms or explosives, or the release of smells, fumes, vapour, steam, soot, ash, dust, waste water, grit or oil”.
The property was selected for its space and privacy, with high hedges and a low-profile street frontage.
The property has five bedrooms, plus a library which is likely as a sixth bedroom for the house co-ordinator.
The downstairs living space is focused around its brand new kitchen, which only went in last month. The dining spaces are luxurious too.
Owner Darren Harvey, co-founder of Smarter Money Investments­, paid $12.51 million in 2015 when buying it from Clare Paspaley of the Paspaley Pearl family.
Meanwhile, the Dural home seen on My Kitchen Rules earlier­ this year has been listed for sale through Christie’s International agent Darren Curtis.
It features a custom-designed­ provincial kitchen with a Carrara marble breakfast island and Ilve appliances.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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My Kitchen Rules takes Bellevue Hill mansion for upcoming series

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The Bellevue Hill home that belonged to Lady Sonia McMahon and her husband, former prime minister William McMahon, has been sold again for close to $17 million.
It last traded for $9 million in 2011 when it was bought by Amber Richmond of the HPM Electrical family, and her husband Jamie Schwarz, a Yellow Brick Road executive.
The couple are the buyers of Mark and Anna Pasternak’s Vaucluse home for $15.1 million.
Lady McMahon had paid $123,000 for the home in 1968, the year her son, actor Julian McMahon, was born.
She bought it from turf commission agent Harold Fay.
Julian and his two sisters executed the sale in 2011, a year after their mother's death, having grown up in the home.
The study of Sir William, who died in 1988, was intact until its listing in 2011. 
The sale was through a buyers' agent, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
It follows a Point Piper home owned by South African-born Nandos owner Richard Einthoven and his wife Karen being sold yesterday for $21.8 million.
 
 
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YBR/HPM couple secure sale of former Lady Sonia McMahon's former Bellevue Hill home

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Rothschild Australia chief executive Marshall Baillieu, of the Melbourne establishment Baillieu family, and wife Michelle, have finally sold their Paddington trophy home, Hargrave House.
It fetched $7.5 million to 333 Capital boss Alan Murray in March, with settlement earlier this month. Before joining 333 Capital, Alan led the emerging companies team at Merrill Lynch Australia, and before that was at CIBC markets and Deutsche Bank.
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/rothschilds-marshall-baillieu-trades-in-his-paddington-landmark-for-21m-bellevue-hill-home-20181005-h15rzg-769983/"></a>The Murray home at Point Piper home was sold for $6.2 million to Lucy May.
Local agents were surprised at the Hargrave House price since it was not even double the Baillieu's initial outlay 13 years ago.
They had renovated since paying $4.275 million in 2006 when listed by then McGrath agent James Dack.
The listing cames after Baillieu paid around $21.25 million for the landmark Hordern House in Bellevue Hill, which was built as a wedding present for Samuel Hordern and June Baillieu.
The three level Victorian Paddington home, at the Woollahra end of the dress circle Hargrave Street, has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, grand living areas, a home office and a wine cellar.
A decade ago the home was redesigned by architect Michael Robilliard.
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They paid $4,275,000 in 2006 and extended and renovated in 2008 and 2009 with Michael Robilliard oversight.
There's a 10 metre frontage and a Graham Greenhalagh-garden out back on the 310 sqm block.
There was an October 2018 auction scheduled with $8 million to $8.5 million price guidance through The Agency.
 
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Baillieu paid $20 million for Tongy Station in the Upper Hunter Valley to keep it in the family name.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Bellevue Hill-bound Marshall Baillieu finally sells Hargrave House, Paddington

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Bondi Rescue star Harrison Reid has spent $1 million on his upgrade in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
The Christchurch born lifeguard has bought in Rose Bay, having sold for $745,000 in Bellevue Hill where he moved to Sydney four years ago from New Zealand.
Reid had paid $725,000 for what was then a two bedroom Victoria Road apartment in a 1950s tightly held block of 12 on the dress circle Victoria Road.
Reid reconfigured and renovated the apartment himself, turning into a large one bedroom apartment with fresh interiors. 
Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay agent Paula Simoes was marketing the apartment with a $780,000 guide.
His purchase is an 80 square metre two bedroom apartment in the aptly named 1960s Harbour View complex.
This article was first published in the Saturday Telegraph. 
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Bondi Rescue star Harrison Reid finds buyer for Bellevue Hill home

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Newly appointed AMP executive Alex Wade has spent $2.75 million on a three-bedroom apartment in a 1999-built block of six in Bellevue Hill.
Spanning 235 sqm across two levels, it has harbour views from its alfresco terrace. The master retreat occupies the top floor, featuring its own terrace, walk-in dressing area and ensuite. 
Sydney Sotheby’s agents Barry and Mark Goldman sold the apartment.
Wade, who left Credit Suisse after 12 years, paid $2.2 million in 2017 for a four bedroom investment in Woollahra which he promptly leased for $2000 a week.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 
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New AMP executive Alex Wade buys at Bellevue Hill

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The Bellevue Hill mansion of fashion designer Camilla Freeman-Topper and husband David Topper, secretly sold off market, has settled at $16.5 million to Melbourne buyers Nick Leos and his wife Emma.
It was sold on Christmas Eve with settlement just coming through registrations this week.
The Toorak-based Leos heads Evolution Precast Systems, which produces architectural precast concrete walls, concentrating on high-quality bespoke projects.
After more than 20 years’ experience within the precast industry in Victoria, the 48-year-old has recognised a growing demand for precast across NSW. 
The couple’s purchase secured a 1930s home with Mediterranean touches on Rupertswood Avenue, which last sold in 2013 for $6 million.
Since then it has been renovated by Luigi Rosselli Architects with Freeman-Topper adding her flair to the interiors. 
Freeman-Topper went on a research trip to Milan during Salon de Mobile with her interior designer, Romaine Alwill of Alwill Interiors, <a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/camilla-freeman-topper-sydney-home" target="_blank">Architectural Digest noted</a>.
Camilla and Marc recently opened its 11th boutique in Australia. However, given Camilla and Marc’s expansionary US commitments, she is relocating to Los Angeles for a few months.
They sold their home after “accepting an offer they could not refuse”, the pair said in a statement.
“The Topper-Freemans are looking forward to the next exciting chapter of their journey.”
The deal reportedly included the mansion’s furnishings right down to the cutlery.
The five-bedroom, four-bathroom house sits on an 800 square metre cul-de-sac block.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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Fashion designer Camilla Freeman-Topper sells Bellevue Hill mansion 

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The peripatetic stylist Sibella Court has sold her Vogue Living-featured Bellevue Hill apartment.
As she seeks a sea change in Sydney’s southern suburb of Bundeena, the designer’s redundant pad had been offered with $1.7 million hopes through Phillips Pantzer Donnelley.
It was given a makeover after it was bought in 2016 for $1.65 million which had followed the sale of her Victorian-era shopfront home in Paddington for $1.34 million.
The two-bedroom Blaxland Road, Bellevue Hill top-floor space was marketed as a “creative fusion of beautiful natural materials and vintage treasures”.
One of only five in a revived Art Deco block, the house-like residence offered 168 square metres of indoor/outdoor living space.
She had CWF Constructions ­remove a wall dividing the living area and its very little kitchen which then had Winchester Interiors fit out the new kitchen’s joinery,
There was a handmade Moroccan tile splashback along with the Smeg appliances.
It sold for an undisclosed pre-auction price, highlighting a trend that regularly sees more pre-auction sales than actual under the hammer Saturday auction success stories across Sydney this year.
Court snapped up a Bundeena four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with ocean views for just over $2 million through Highland Real Estate.
Court also spends a lot of time in Byron Bay, where partner Ben ­Harper is a director of McTavish Surfboards.
Working at Bergdorf Goodman, Donna Karan, Anthropologie and Saks Fifth Avenue, Court spent about 15 years in New York as a homewares stylist before gaining prominence in the ABC’s Restoration Australia series.
These days Court travels both Australia and the world for inspiration as it fuels her product development and stock for her shop.
It helped create her third book, Nomad: Bringing your travels home.
Her clients have included the Bullo River Station, The Blue Room Bondi, MsG’s and El Loco.
This article first appeared in The Sunday Telegraph. 
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