Renowned Balmoral locals Ivan and Beth Hodge to farewell their long held beachside home

AFTER two decades, renowned Balmoral locals Ivan and Beth Hodge are parting ways with their beloved beachside apartment.

Ivan and Beth Hodge in and around their Mosman home which they are selling.

AFTER two decades, renowned Balmoral locals Ivan and Beth Hodge are parting ways with their beloved beachside apartment.

The unique property was initially two separate two-bedroom Art Deco apartments that the Hodges bought 20 and 16 years ago, and subsequently merged to form the one residence.

Nestled along Balmoral’s coveted beachfront stretch The Esplanade, the spacious second-floor property has served a multitude of functions for the couple, including everything from a sleepover destination for visiting grandchildren to an artist studio for Beth.

“The apartment really has four bedrooms, so we’ve had all twelve grandchildren staying here at one time or another,” Ivan said, adding that their visits saw an increase in the intake of pot noodles.

“It was perfect for them, they could come and play on the beach and their parents come and pick them up when they like,” Beth said. “I got interested in painting so the (added apartment also) gave me another room to use — what my grandchildren call my wombat hole.”

The couple, who every year throw their famed community party complete with the NSW fire brigade band and marching girls in celebration of their wedding anniversary, said the property ensured they felt immersed in the everyday happenings of the suburb, particularly from their balcony directly overlooking the beach.

Ivan and Beth Hodge’s home directly overlooking Balmoral Beach.

The second floor apartments were initially two properties combined by the Hodges into one spacious home.

“It’s a wonderful location, we just sit here on the balcony and enjoying the view and people, and that’s why we feel so much a part of Balmoral and Mosman,” Beth said.

“I’m a bride expert; I see all the beautiful brides and bridesmaids.”

“We take our table across the road, we get pleasant freshly cooked food from the bathers, and we can have a bottle of our won wine, and we have a ‘feet in the sand’ dinner,” Ivan said.

With four bedrooms, two kitchens and plenty of living space the home has been perfect for visiting grandchildren.

The Hodges have relished in watching the daily happenings of Balmoral from their home as well as dinners by the beach.

But it’s their infamous VW Beetle that has sent the couple packing, with plans to meet it in New Zealand this month for one last drive around the country before it’s retired to the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland.

In terms of what the future holds, the couple reel off a hoard of exotic destinations across South-East Asia that they plan to reach, with hopes to downsize in the Mosman area at some point.

The property at 3 and 4/57 The Esplanade, Mosman is listed with TAS Realty’s Danny Raice.