Big spenders: Meet the buyers behind QLD’s richest real estate
Cattle barons, CEOs, lawyers, developers and stockbrokers have been revealed as the multimillion dollar big spenders leading sales during Queensland’s unprecedented housing boom.
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Cattle barons, CEOs, lawyers, developers and stockbrokers have been revealed as the multimillion dollar big spenders fuelling Queensland’s unprecedented housing boom.
The Courier-Mail has tracked down the cashed-up buyers of some of the most expensive homes in the state over the past 12 months — those who have capitalised on Covid and forked out eye-watering sums to upgrade to mega mansions or splurge on holiday havens.
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Desperate to fly under the radar and maintain privacy, these are people who have gone to great lengths to keep their names off property records and their wealth out of the public eye — signing confidentiality deals with real estate agents.
Take unassuming beef baron Sterling Buntine and his wife, Rachel, who have emerged as the mystery buyers of an $11 million Mooloolaba penthouse.
It’s no doubt merely a holiday home for the Buntines, who live on a cattle station in the Northern Territory and own assets estimated to be worth around $350 million.
Business is booming for the CEO of data centre giant NEXTDC, Craig Scroggie, with the value of his company surging by billions of dollars as demand for streaming services rose during the pandemic shutdown.
He’s been revealed as the buyer of an inner-city mansion owned by local developer Paul Gedoun.
Then there’s Dan Wade, the 47-year-old Perth-based mining executive for Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting, who forked out $9.9 million for a Hawthorne riverfront property, plus another $10.9 million for a pad on the river at Noosa in what is clearly a newfound appetite for Queensland.
In the wake of ongoing interstate Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns, high net worth buyers — many from Melbourne — have also been flocking to the sunshine state to relocate permanently.
They include Malcolm Watkins, founding director of mortgage broking group, Australian Finance Group, and his husband, Peter Kerr, who decided to sell up in Toorak and make the move to the Gold Coast.
These are some of the buyers of Queensland’s richest real estate:
1. 187-191 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
Buyer: Bob Ell, executive chairman of Leda Holdings
Seller: Rosa Raso, wife of Sam Raso, of the Gold Coast based Austworld group
Sale price: $22.6 million
Sale date: August 2020
Billionaire developer Bob Ell, worth more than $2 billion, bought the beachfront trophy home after it was on the market for just three days.
His main family residence is on the riverfront at Budds Beach — also on the Gold Coast.
Mr Ell founded Leda Holdings, which owns three shopping malls in Queensland and a fourth in Canberra.
He has also developed more than $3 billion worth of property, including large-scale residential land developments in Queensland and New South Wales.
The previous owner, Rosa Raso, bought the property in 2017 for $16.5 million from the racehorse owner David Henderson and his wife, Rhonda.
There’s parking for seven cars, a gym, cold room, sauna, in-ground pool and its own roof deck.
2. 159 Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach
Buyer: Chris Morris
Seller: Jinmin Qu and Baiyan Cheng
Sale price: $15.75 million
Sale date: January 2021
This four-level oceanfront home along the Coast’s multi-millionaire’s row was sold to a Melbourne tourism heavyweight.
Public records reveal the buyer was a company known as Modara Grange Pty Ltd, whose directors include Computershare co-founder, the Melbourne-based Chris Morris.
The richlister also owns a privately held hotel business, the Colonial Leisure Group, which is based in Melbourne, as well as interests in several tech companies.
He spends most of his time in Northern Australia, where he owns two islands, a casino and a cattle station that he has opened as a resort.
The Mermaid Beach trophy home has six bedrooms serviced by a lift, a gym, sauna and wine cellar, and six-car basement.
Last year, Mr Morris pocketed a record $14 million when he sold his Noosa Heads holiday penthouse at 8 Noosa Court on Noosa’s Main Beach.
3. 7001/4 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Buyer: Tah-nee Beard, founder of Culture Kings
Seller: Andrew Koloadin
Sale price: $15.25 million
Sale date: May 2021
The buyer of this record-breaking Gold Coast penthouse was recently revealed to be a mega-rich local business identity.
Tah-nee Beard, 33, bought the three-level sky home in the Soul tower in Surfers Paradise at auction, after outbidding four others.
The penthouse has five bedrooms including a master suite with his and hers walk-in wardrobes and powder rooms, dining and sitting rooms, two lounges, study, kitchen, butler’s pantry, cigar lounge and bar.
It was sold by Sydney-based Andrew Koloadin, who sold his website hosting business Digital Pacific in 2017 in a $52 million deal.
He had bought it from Hong Kong casino tycoon Tony Fung for $6.5 million in 2018.
Ms Beard and her husband Simon, founded the streetwear company Culture Kings 13 years ago.
4. 1 Leopard St, Kangaroo Point
Buyer: Karl Morris, Ord Minnett CEO and Brisbane Broncos chairman
Seller: Huihui Zhai and Zijian Zheng
Sale price: $15 million
Sale date: May 2021
In Brisbane, the biggest sale recorded in the 2020/21 financial year was a clifftop mansion at 1 Leopard St, Kangaroo Point.
The deal made headlines when it emerged Broncos chairman Karl Morris had bought the six-bedroom, six-bathroom home on 1184 sqm.
The home was once the city’s most expensive when it changed hands for $18.48 million back in 2017.
5. 139 Monaco St, Broadbeach Waters
Buyer: Frostheath Proprietary Ltd
Seller: Natalie Miller
Sale price: $12.8 million
Sale date: January 2021
This five-bedroom home on a 1813sq m waterfront parcel quietly changed hands in January to a Melbourne buyer under the name of Frostheath Proprietary Limited.
6. 9 Leopard St, Kangaroo Point
Buyer: Steve Wilson
Seller: Joy Lamb
Sale price: $12.75 million
Sale date: June 2021
Historic Lamb House, perched on the Kangaroo Point cliffs overlooking the Brisbane River, is set for major restoration works after selling to well-known local businessman, Steve Wilson.
Mr Wilson paid a cool $12.75 million for the 119-year old mansion, ending a long-running saga between the Brisbane City Council and the property’s former owner.
In April, the council put the dilapidated, six-bedroom house on the market to settle a $300,000 rates dispute with its previous owner, Joy Lamb.
Ms Lamb had moved out of the home in 2015 after a roof collapsed and the statuesque property had become increasingly run down and was being used by squatters who vandalised some of the original interior.
Mr Wilson, a stockbroker and the chair of Racing Queensland, has sat on many influential boards and held a prominent role in the shaping of Southbank,
He previously chaired Southbank Corporation and Queensland Rugby Union and was a director of Telstra Corporation, Tourism Queensland and the Council of Queensland University of Technology.
7. 249-255 Monaco St, Broadbeach Waters
Buyer: Kerwat Holdings Pty Ltd
Seller: David and Rachel Fitch
Sale price: $12.5 million
Sale date: August 2020
A company associated with Malcolm Watkins, founding director of mortgage broking group, Australian Finance Group, and his husband, Peter Kerr, bought the 1300 sqm Villa Cantarocco, which was regarded as the Gold Coast’s largest house when it was built in the 1970s.
Fitch Retail Investments head David Fitch and wife Rachel, had previously owned the two-level mansion since 2016.
8. 55 Markwell St, Hamilton
Buyer: Graeme Scott and Toni McNicoll
Seller: Lisa and Mark Donaldson
Sale price: $12 million
Sale date:March 2021
The sale price record in one of Brisbane’s richest suburbs was smashed when this designer trophy home sold in an offmarket deal earlier this year.
Featuring a squash court, the jawdropping, six-bedroom mansion on Hamilton Hill has 1000 sqm of living space under roof and features a separate self-contained cottage, a squash court, a billiards room, a wine cellar, a cinema, a gym, a sauna, a steam room, a heated lap pool, a pizza oven and uninterrupted city and river views.
9. 30 Seafarer Court, Paradise Waters
Buyer: John Ramsden
Seller: William and Leonie Manton
Sale price: $11 million
Sale date: October 2020
This commanding home was snapped up by high-profile lawyer John Ramsden, managing partner of Ramsden Lawyers.
Its striking white facade with tall glass windows rises four levels over a 1389 sqm block — marketed as one of the largest single holdings in the exclusive enclave of Paradise Waters. The home has six bedrooms, a home cinema, rooftop entertaining terrace, and internal lift between levels.
10. 1101/87 Mooloolaba Esp, Mooloolaba
Buyer: Sterling and Rachel Buntine
Seller: Shane and Liz Leadbetter
Sale price: $11 million
Sale date: December 2020
The three-storey property has sweeping views of the Sunshine Coast, all the way to Noosa, and the trimmings of a palatial Beverly Hills pad.
It was first on the market in late 2018 for $15 million as a Las Vegas Bellagio-inspired ‘mansion in the sky”.
The price tag meant the sellers, Shane and Liz Leadbetter, were determined to be patient until they received the right offer.
There are two internal levels, with the second floor extending out to a rooftop outdoor entertaining area with a spa.
There’s also private bar and eight storage rooms and 12 car spaces.
Mr Buntine came to prominence in 2016 as the spokesman for the consortium bidding for the vast landholdings of the S Kidman and Co pastoral empire.
11. 47 Mossman Ct, Noosa Sound
Buyer: Daniel Wade
Seller: Gregory John Duley, Ann Elizabeth Duley
Sale Price: $10.9 million
Sale Date: 28 Aug 2020
This contemporary home on the Noosa River quietly sold to Dan Wade, the general manager of business development at Gina Rinehart’s privately owned mining company, Hancock Prospecting.
The striking residence designed by Paul Clout Design features a private pontoon, sandy beach and swimming pool.
12. 8 Riverbend Avenue, Carrara
Buyer: Natalie Kim Miller
Seller: Otto and Stephanie Pfeiffer
Sale Price: $10.45 million
Sale Date: February 2021
Interior designer Natalie Miller picked this beauty up earlier this year with big plans to renovate or redevelop.
The 1.2ha riverfront site with a 100m frontage features a six-bedroom house, a boat ramp and jetty, a championship-sized tennis court and a 25-metre lap pool — all in need of a lot of attention.
13. 8085 Riverside Dr, Hope Island
Buyer: Ann Knipe
Seller: David and Loraine McLaren
Sale Price: $10 million
Sale Date: January 2021
14. 2134 The Circle, Hope Island
Buyer: Kaye and Charles Vella
Seller: Susan Maree Deane
Sale Price: $10 million
Sale Date: September 2020
15. 43 Mossman Court, Noosa Heads
Buyer: Lynette Maree Rex
Seller: Echobrow Pty Ltd
Sale Price: $10 million
Sale Date: September 2020
Lynette Rex, wife of the former Ramsay Health Care chairman Chris Rex, bought this Noosa Sound property after just one FaceTime inspection through Tom Offermann agent Tom Offermann, who secured the sale off-market.
It has a private white sand beach and 20 metres of water frontage.
16. 2/56 David Low Way Sunrise Beach
Buyer: Jonathan and Kate Collett
Seller: Paul and Elisabeth Clout
Sale Price: $10 million
Sale Date: 11 Aug 2020
Jonathan Collett, the principal of boutique funds manager, Saville Capital, quietly paid $10 million for this stunning home designed and formerly owned by renowned building designer Paul Clout himself.
The three-level house is in the exclusive Beaches estate and offers direct beachfront access from a private gate and ocean views from almost every room.
17. 32-36 The Anchorage, Noosaville
Buyer: Elwood Investments Pty Ltd
Seller: Gary Hugo, Maria Hay, Leo Brogan
Sale Price: $10 million
Sale Date: August 2020
The 13-bedroom, 12-bathroom mansion set a new record for Noosaville when it sold last year to a private Melbourne buyer.
The property known as ‘Hayven’ was owned by the family of the late businessman, Donald Hay.
The house can sleep up to 32 guests and features onsite caretaker quarters, a maid’s quarters, a 25-metre pool, a championship tennis court, a nightclub, a media room, a gym, a steam room, a four-car garage and a guest wing with eight bedrooms.
18. 101 Commodore Dr, Paradise Waters
Buyer: Glenn Molloy
Seller: Robert and Nerolie Rye
Sale price: $9.95 million
Sale date: June 2021
Company director Glenn Molloy splurged just under $10 million for this estate known as “Tulsa”.
He’s also the major shareholder in the PPK group, which is in a joint venture with Deakin University to commercialise the university’s boron nitride nanotube technology.
The three-level mansion boasts the Gold Coast’s only approved waterfront helicopter landing pad.
Its grand design is set over 1129 sqm and comprises five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a seven-car garage.
19. 90 Virginia Avenue, Hawthorne
Buyer: Daniel Wade
Seller: James and Agnes Wilson
Sale Price: $9.9 million
Sale Date: August 2020
Dan Wade, the 47-year-old mining executive, forked out another $9.9 million for a two-storey house just two doors from his boss, Gina Rinehart’s, Brisbane River property in Hawthorne.
The sellers, James and Agnes Wilson, used to own Orpheus Island, about 80km north of Townsville.
The sprawling home sits on a 1619 sqm block with river frontage.
Neighbours include richlisters John and Wendy Thorse and Goodlife Healthclubs founders Leon and Michelle McNiece.
20. 11/37 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads
Buyer: Mildridge Pty Ltd
Seller: Anne Florence Downie
Sale Price: $9.8 million
Sale Date: November 2020
Finance industry veteran Andrew Bell and his wife, Ann, emerged as the buyers of this three-bedroom beachfront apartment, after a virtual inspection.
The family regularly holidayed in Noosa and had previously stayed in the La Mer complex.
The penthouse had previously been rented out for a whopping $2000 a night during peak season.
The Bell Potter director co-founded Bell Commodities in 1970.
21. 23 Wesley Court, Noosa Heads
Buyer: Elizabeth Marianne Calleja
Seller: Pamela Wilson
Sale Price: $9.61 million
Sale Date: December 2020
22. 491 Cooroy Mountain Road, Cooroy Mountain
Buyer: Sarah Jane Carter
Seller: Hass Holdings Pty Ltd
Sale Price: $9.5 million
Sale Date: February 2021
23.33B Harbour Road, Hamilton
Buyer: Anna Jackson
Seller: Naiqi Duan
Sale price: $9.5 million
Sale date: March 2021
Designed by Shaun Lockyer, 33B Harbour Rd was built for developer Don O’Rorke of Consolidated Properties and sold for a whopping $11.8 million back in 2015.
It was bought by an Asian buyer for her son, who relocated to Melbourne before selling to the current owners.
The residence, called Balaam, has eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms and sits on a 1609 sqm block with 48.3m of river frontage.
Other features include a cantilevered, heated swimming pool with an adjoining bar and kitchen, an internal lift to all levels, a climate-controlled wine cellar and an open-air fire pit with gas.
24. 9 Prospect Terrace, Hamilton
Buyer: Windmill Watchman Pty Ltd
Seller: Zephyr Industries
Sale price: $9.442 million
Sale date: September 2020
This brand new Hamilton Hill mansion sold to a mystery Aussie expatriate who put $10 million down on the property without even setting foot in it.
The paint had barely dried on the all black, five-level trophy home known as ‘Noir’ but that did not stop the mystery buyer from making an offer before the property was even finished being built by Zephyr Industries.
25. 87 Admiralty Dr, Surfers Paradise
Buyer: Tony Burnett and Toni Ferguson
Seller: Ann Knipe
Sale price: $8.7 million
Sale date: November 2020
Hotelier Tony Burnett bought this luxurious, three-level waterfront pad in Paradise Waters late last year.
The property spans more than 1000 sqm and comes with garaging for eight cars.
Anchored just off Main River, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom house features a commercial lift, a media room, a wine cellar and city skyline and water views.
It’s a tad bigger than the 680 sqm apartment in the beachfront Ocean Isles building he sold for $6.52 million.
Burnett operates Gold Coast watering holes such as Waxy’s Irish bar in Surfers and Pimpama Tavern.
26. 3-5 Westminster Court, Sovereign Islands
Buyer: Baiyan Cheng
Seller: Joseph and Marie Barakat
Sale price: $8.05 million
Sale date: March 2021
This luxurious five-bedroom home on a north-facing double block with lashings of marble and American oak floors.
The three-level house has a formal lounge with fireplace and a wet bar, while outside there’s a large alfresco area with barbecue kitchen and teppanyaki grill.
27. 3 Natasha Ave, Noosa Heads
Buyer: Murray and Margie Charlton
Seller: Ken Freeman
Sale price: $8.015 million
Sale date: March 2021
Queensland tourism icon Murray Charlton forked out just over $8 million for this home earlier this year.
But it’s small change compared to the $34 million he has just pocketed from the sale of his property at 17 Webb Road, Sunshine Beach.
Sitting on a 2015 sqm battle axe block, the fan-shaped, three-level house sold in a secret offmarket deal last month.
Mr Charlton is a developer and the founding director of Club Crocodile.
28. 22 Reading Street, Paddington
Buyer: Melanie Scroggie
Seller: Paul and Kylie Gedoun
Sale Price: $8 million
Sale Date: 25 Feb 2021
Local developer Paul Gedoun pocketed $8 million from the sale of his inner-city mansion earlier this year when it was picked up by data centre giant CEO Craig Scroggie.
Mr Scroggie has seen huge success with his Brisbane-based company, NEXTDC.
The resort-style home on 1550 sqm has sweeping city views, garaging for eight vehicles, six bedrooms and seven bathrooms over three levels.
There’s also a 25m pool, cinema and self-contained apartment.
29. 4/81 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads
Buyer: Orange Twist Pty Ltd, Lemon Crunch Pty Ltd
Seller: Michael John Ross Arnott
Sale Price: $8 million
Sale Date: January 2021
This Noosa apartment with links to Australia’s favourite biscuit brand fetched $8 million in an offmarket deal to a Melbourne buyer hiding under the company name of Orange Twist and Lemon Crunch.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom unit in the Hastings Park complex was owned by Michael Arnott, the great-great-grandson of Arnott’s Biscuits founder William Arnott.
Records show it was last sold in 1993 for just $760,000, reflecting annual price growth of around 9 per cent.
30. 36A Oxlade Drive, New Farm
Buyer: Dean Mark Merlo
Seller: Fiona Hume, Jeffrey Barker
Sale Price: $8 million
Sale Date: September 2020
Coffee king Dean Merlo bought this riverfront knockdown at auction late last year.
He’s landbanking the property, having been a neighbour since 2003.
Merlo now owns two of just nine riverfronts on the Oxlade Drive dress circle. His recent purchase of the four-bedroom, post-war home on 835 sqm takes his total to 1365 sqm.
31. 47 Longman Terrace, Chelmer
Buyer: Kavitha Suppan, Paul Faizi Bluett
Seller: Catherine Kerr Guthrie Drummond Henderson
Sale Price: $8 million
Sale Date: November 2020
This riverfront property sold to the managing director of an independently owned fuel distributor in Papua New Guinea.
Islands Petroleum managing director Paul Bluett has emerged as the buyer of the home on the jacaranda-lined Longman Terrace — one of Brisbane’s best streets.
Features include a 12m-pontoon, heated pool and spa, gym, sauna and massage room plus a games room and wine cellar.
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