Eastern suburbs spectacular trophy homes: La Mer, Fairwater, The Hermitage

From the mega mansions of Vaucluse billionaires to a Point Piper street where the cheapest home went for the bargain price of $40 million, join us on a voyeuristic tour of the east’s trophy homes.

Forget those dreary and draughty old palaces inhabited by European royalty. They’ve got nothing on these eastern suburbs trophy homes, many of which are valued at an eye watering nine figures.

LA MER

The former Packer pad is absolutely stunning.

Not the worst place for a summer dip.

A luxury outdoor set up.

James Packer sold this beauty on Wentworth Rd in Vaucluse to Dr Chau Chak Wing for more than $60 million in 2015.

The six bedroom home’s glamorous features include a glassed-in winter garden space, 20-seat cinema and a 20-car garage.

Mr Packer and his wife Erica only lived in the home for a matter of months, leaving them little time to enjoy its opulence.

THE HERMITAGE

The Hermitage in Vaucluse.

Justin Hemmes with his cars at home in Sydney.

Covid permitting, the lucky guests who receive a sought after invitation to the Sydney

Children’s Hospital fundraiser The Silver Party in November will be dancing away the night at the private home of a hotel baron.

Merivale pub heir Justin Hemmes lives in the heritage-listed Gothic mansion which is worth an estimated $100 million.

Complete with its own castellated tower, The Hermitage was formerly the family home of Mr Hemmes’ parents.

Mr Hemmes has extensively renovated the home since he took ownership and it now has a distinctive Moroccan feel.

ALL OF THE HOUSES ON WINGADAL PLACE, POINT PIPER

Bargain: the cheapest house on Wingadal place cost $40 million.

Yes, all (three) of them.

The bargain buy on the block went for a mere $40 million in April. Lawyer Sarah Cooke sold her waterfront trophy home to freight king Terry Tzaneros and his wife Anne.

The five bedroom, six bathroom home was designed by architects James Stockwell and Jonathan Temple.

It boasts features including a hand wrought vaulted copper ceiling and direct access to the harbour.

Taking things up a notch is this $61 million paradise.

Mr Song’s spectacular Point Piper home.

Breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour.

A mid-range home on Wingadal Pl is the $61 million pad of “Andy” Wenlei Song.

Mr Song bought the house off New Zealand-born Ateco group founder and sportsman Neville “Croaky” Crichton and it has previously been rented, for $25,000 a week, by Bill and Melinda Gates.

Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond spectacular mansion.

John Symond at his not so humble abode.

But the pick of the bunch is Wingadal – the palatial home of Aussie John Symond which is estimated to be worth more than $100 million.

The Aussie Loans mogul enjoys 75 metres of water frontage and unparalleled views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Wingadal has a ten car park garage and 24 toilets which no doubt come in handy as the Symonds are known for hosting fabulous parties often in aid of charity.

MENULOG FOUNDER’S MEGA MANSION

The Kamenev compound is currently under construction.

The man who established the thriving take away delivery service Menulog hasn’t quite finished building his dream home across four sprawling blocks he bought for a combined $80 million on Vaucluse’s Coolong Rd.

But when he does, the result will surely be the stuff of eastern suburbs trophy home legends.

Proving he intends to be a considerate neighbour, Mr Kamnev amended his original visions of a French chateau when they caused consternation for blocking views.

FAIRWATER

The incredible Fairwater in Point Piper. Picture: James Croucher

Dubbed Australia’s most expensive house, Fairwater was purchased by Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes and his wife Annie for more than $100 million in 2019.

The Point Piper property was owned by the Fairfax family for more than a century prior to being snapped up by the tech billionaire.

The incredible 1.12 hectare estate will no doubt afford plenty of privacy to the young family.

ELAINE

Elaine as seen by us mere mortals from New South Head Road. Picture: Damian Shaw

Right next door to Fairwater is the elegant Elaine which was also formerly owned by the Fairfax dynasty and is now in the hands of another Atlassian king.

Cannon-Brookes’ business partner Scott Farquhar bought right next door for $71 million.

The Farquhar family signalled their plans to extensively renovate with a $37 million development application lodged and then withdrawn before Woollahra Council.