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Costa family mansion sets Geelong record in $5m-plus sale

A stunning Costa family mansion has set a new Geelong record house price after a $5m-plus sale.

1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown has sold to a Geelong family.
1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown has sold to a Geelong family.

A stunning Costa family mansion has set a new residential price record for Geelong real estate.

And incredibly, the new owners are first-home buyers.

Suzanne and Tim Cleary have sold their five-bedroom, four-bathroom house at 1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown after a lengthy campaign.

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McGrath, Geelong selling agent David Cortous said the price was confidential, but confirmed it had eclipsed the $5 million record for a Geelong house.

1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown, has sold for more than $5 million.
1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown, has sold for more than $5 million.
1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown.
1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown.

Suzanne, one of Frank and Shirley Costa’s eight daughters, grew up at the blue chip Newtown address and bought the home from her parents in 2011.

They listed the house eight months after completing a remarkable multi-million renovation.

Initially listed with $6.1 million price hopes, it was offered with $5.8 million expectations before the contracts were signed.

The bar adds glamorous entertaining space.
The bar adds glamorous entertaining space.
Wide American oak floors accentuate the designer kitchen.
Wide American oak floors accentuate the designer kitchen.

Mr Cortous said purchasers, a Geelong businessman and family with five children, were purchasing their first home.

“They wanted to remain anonymous, but I can tell you it is their first home,” he said.

It was Geelong’s biggest residential sale, eclipsing the $5 million for Corio Villa on Eastern Beach in 2012.

1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown.
1-3 Whyte Court, Newtown.
The grand entrance leads to formal living and dining rooms downstairs and bedrooms upstairs.
The grand entrance leads to formal living and dining rooms downstairs and bedrooms upstairs.

“There was other interest in the property but we marketed it on all that property sites all around the world, including Chinese websites and the buyer was just down the road,” Mr Cortous said.

He said the buyers were excited.

The first floor balcony has a delightful view.
The first floor balcony has a delightful view.
The main bedroom leads to a study/retreat.
The main bedroom leads to a study/retreat.
One of four bathrooms.
One of four bathrooms.

“The kids didn’t know anything about it and hadn’t seen the property and didn’t even know mum and dad were looking at it and we bought them there and said this is yours. They were losing it,” he said.

The unconditional contract passed the cooling off period on Wednesday night.

It is set on an elevated 3200sq m property near Queens Park bridge with a floodlit tennis court and pavilion, a glass conservatory, swimming pool, gymnasium and sauna and formal gardens in the heart of Newtown’s college precinct.

Private tennis court.
Private tennis court.
And secluded gardens.
And secluded gardens.

Mr Cortous said the lavish 24-room home was the pinnacle of luxury in Geelong.

He said the renovation showcases Greek and Italian marble, Italian tiles, American Oak floors and Tom Dixon, Mondoluce and Coco Republic lighting.

The makeover showcases the enormous scale of the rooms in the house.

The designer kitchen features Gaggenau appliances and integrated Liebherr fridges but the Hollywood showstopper is the dramatic bar finished in white Thassos marble with Japanese and Italian tiles.

Originally published as Costa family mansion sets Geelong record in $5m-plus sale

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/melbourne-vic/costa-family-mansion-sets-geelong-record-in-5mplus-sale/news-story/a1c834cd73a58ae16c1ef8c61103472a