Coolong Road Vaucluse: Who lives in the wealthy neighbourhood

It’s one of Australia’s wealthiest streets – home to the nation’s movers and shakers. We delve into who’s who on the blue ribbon Coolong Road in Vaucluse.

Second perhaps only to Australia’s official wealthiest street, the famed Wolseley Road in Point Piper, Coolong Road has attracted its fair share of rich listers and well-known names over the years.

The road is packed with stunning properties

With its stunning harbour views it continues to attract the rich and famous of Sydney and beyond.

We take a tour of the neighbourhood and its well-heeled residents.

Charles Fairfax

The son of media giants Lady Mary and Sir Warwick Fairfax and his wife Kate paid almost $15 million for a Spanish mission style mansion on the non-waterfront side of Coolong Road earlier this year.

Sir Warwick Fairfax Sr (far right) with his family (from left) Charles, wife Lady Mary, Warwick Jr and Anna, 12 September 1981. Picture by TONY LINSEN

It’s believed the home will either undergo a major renovation or potentially be demolished.

David Lowy

Arguably the coolest member of the Westfield clan, David Lowy, owns a spectacular property on Coolong Road.

Spot the Lowy clan’s resident rock star. Photo: Hollie Adams/The Australian

The son of Westfield co-founder Frank, Lowy Family Group Principal and qualified pilot is also the front man for rock band Dead Daisies.

Mr Lowy is reportedly renting out the palatial home for a cool $20,000 a week.

Leon Kamenev

The Menulog founder has probably the most spectacular property of all on Coolong Road after he purchased four adjoining waterfront lots for a combined $80 million.

Although Mr Kamenev came under some heat from his well-heeled neighbours when he revealed his plans for a mega mansion, he eventually got the green light for the development after making revisions.

Leon Kamenev’s plans for his stunning home

The stunning $10 million build is now nearing completion.

Marco Belgiorno-Zegna

A member of the prominent Transfield construction and engineering family, Mr Belgiorno-Zegna owns one of just 15 sought after waterfront homes on the street.

Marco Belgiorno-Zegna is known for keeping a low profile.

The very private businessman is the son of company co-founder, the late Franco Belgiorno-Nettis and his wife Amina.

Ron Malek

The man credited with masterminding the merger of Westpac and St George, investment banker Ron Malek, is one of the more recent additions to the neighbourhood after moving in following a lengthy rebuild.

Renowned investment banker Ron Malek Hollie Adams/The Australian

The stunning waterfront property boasts its own beach and the Malek family including wife Michelle are said to have labelled it their forever home.

Ivan Ritossa

When the famed currency trader and investment banker bought his slice of Coolong Road for $45 million in 2008 he set an Australian record.

Ivan Ritossa was at one point the Singapore-based head of foreign exchange for Barclays Capital.

It’s rumoured he knocked back an eye-watering $100 million offer from Mr Kamenev to buy the home to add to his compound.

Mr Ritossa at one point rented the home to Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch.

Alexander Phillips

Australia’s top real estate agent, six years and counting, reckons Coolong Road is the cream of the property market.

The Phillips family are currently living in the Morrocan and African inspired home on the block they purchased on the blue ribbon street but are hoping their plans to knock it down and do an $8 million rebuild will soon progress.

An artist impression of the Phillips family dream home.

“We bought into that street, and I believe it’s one of the best streets in Australia, because we wanted to be as close to the beach as possible – it’s only 100 steps away,” Mr Phillips told the Wentworth Courier.

“That house will be our absolute forever family home.”

Barry Smorgon

The renowned industrialist’s family are known for everything from owning kosher butcheries to establishing Smorgon Steel.

The Smorgon family are among the best known in Australian business.

The Order of Australia medallist heads up Maccabi – one of the nation’s largest sporting organisations – and will head up the team for the 2022 Games to be held in Jerusalem.

Phillip Wolanski

Mr Wolanski owns not one but two properties on the famed road after buying the home directly in front of his for $12.5 million in 2019.

Phillip Wolanski is a property developer who calls the road home.

The property developer and his wife Suzanne bought their initial Coolong Road home for a mere $6 million back in 1998.