Mega-luxurious The World of Residensea docks in Sydney
Uber-luxury cruiser The World docked in Sydney yesterday, giving its mega-rich inhabitants front-back-and-sides harbour views; and is Wayne Bennett preparing for his post-NRL career, asks real estate insider Jonathan Chancellor.
NSW
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There were some Sydney squillionaires briefly back home this weekend, welcoming guests aboard The World, the world’s largest private residential ship.
Currently on its two-month journey circumnavigating Australia, it was water front, back and sides, for the occupants moored at Athol Bay.
Tenders brought the guests to and fro from Man O War steps out to The World of Residensea where the apartments are bought on 50-year leasehold arrangements. The luxurious concept of cruising the world has been embraced by many Sydney buyers.
Richard and Heather Penn, who founded Gutbuster, had John and Cheryl Sainty on their sought-after seventh floor suite guest list. Rothschild Australia chairman Trevor Rowe hosted many aboard.
Over the years owners have included the Nutrimetics founders Bill and Imelda Roche, Fitness First co-founder Tony de Leede, and motivational speaker John Demartini, who bought his $3 million one-bedroom with his late wife Athena Starwoman after selling in Trump Tower, unnerved after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Darling Point’s Bob and Margaret Rose were aboard yesterday, telling friends it would be their last voyage out of the heads on The World. There are another seven port calls before Broome when the Roses hand over to new owners.
The cruise liner intends steering clear of Asia.
Viewed by some as Noah’s ark for the filthy rich, the rules of ownership insist buyers have a $US10 million ($A14.5 million) net worth, plus two letters of recommendation from existing owners.
There’s time aplenty for golf on-board, I recall. My guest-stay on-board a few years ago saw a bogey on the par three 17th at the Pebble Beach course simulation.
BENNETT BEEFS UP PORTFOLIO IN SOUTHERN QLD
While South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has ruled out retirement after his current contract runs out in 2021, it would seem farm life could be his ultimate destination.
He has continued expanding his farming holdings in his native Queensland over the summer break. Bennett, who hasn’t bought back in Sydney since his move south, has held land in the Southern Downs region for nearly three decades.
He recently secured two more farms including a $150,000 outlay for seven hectares in Gladfield. He has also spent $450,000 on a
24-hectare cattle and breeding operation that sits across the
road from the 40-hectare irrigation block he has co-owned since 1994.
When Bennett signed his three-year Rabbitohs deal, he sold the contemporary Brisbane home he shared with partner Dale Cage for $2.12 million.
It is expected when Bennett leaves the Rabbitohs at the end of next year, his assistant Jason Demetriou will take on the senior coach role for the 2022 season.
Bennett may head north again to helm a new Brisbane team.
BEACH WEEKENDER SNAPPED UP
There’s speculation the mystery buyer of the late media magnate Sam Chisholm’s Palm Beach weekender is the Atlassian billionaire Michael Cannon-Brookes and his wife Annie.
It’s been sold after just two weeks by Sam (pictured) and Ronda Chisholm’s daughter Caroline Jumpertz, who occupied the resort-like, costly summer rental for much of the past three years, but has now moved to Melbourne.
The initial price guide for Melaleuca was $20 million but it sold for $22 million-plus, suggesting there was competitive interest. The Ocean Road beachfront reserve was designed by architect Susan Rothwell, who has long said it was her favourite home, so it’s just possible she too could have been interested in securing the home.
My hunch is it is Cannon-Brookes, since he’s been seeking an upgrade from a current nearby beachfront position overlooking Pittwater. Indeed Cannon-Brookes had been keen recently to upsize to the $20.5 million Palm Haven, but lost out to Dominic Roche from the pioneering skincare company.
The billionaire has never been known to stop at the one acquisition after he’s bought into a suburb. That happened in Double Bay, where he has added to Fairwater, his $100 million harbourfront home. He’s also bought up big in the Southern Highlands, including a $15 million farm.
It takes, on average, 136 days to sell in Palm Beach, where 53 house sales took place last year at a $3.3 million median, according to realestate.com.au.
HILLSIDE ANCHER HOME TO GO UNDER HAMMER
An Avalon hillside beach house designed by modernist architect Sydney Ancher has been listed for a March 5 auction.
With views of the ocean, the house was home to the late Dr Michael Kaye, the gynaecologist who delivered scores of northern beaches children throughout his career.
Dr Kaye bought the house in 1998 for $1,075,000. His sons, Nick and Cody, are now selling
the property.
Set on 1429sqm, the five-bedroom Palmgrove Rd property has been listed by McGrath agent James Baker with a $3 million price guide.
Ancher was once described as “the most outstanding domestic architect in Sydney”. He won the RAIA Gold Medal in 1975.
The house epitomises Ancher’s vision of an open-planned home with pergolas and wide terraces where the interior opens up to nature.
Originally published as Mega-luxurious The World of Residensea docks in Sydney