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Kew penthouse breaks Boroondara apartment record by $1m-plus

A pool, rooftop terrace and private vault are some of the inclusions at a Kew penthouse sold for more than $1m above the local record. The buyer’s also made an eyebrow-raising change.

The penthouse at Rondure House, Kew set an apartment price record for the area.
The penthouse at Rondure House, Kew set an apartment price record for the area.

A Kew penthouse has broken an eastern suburbs apartment price record set three years ago.

The off-the-plan sale at the Rondure House development is understood to have come close to its $6.5 million asking price — smashing Boroondara’s apartment price record by more than $1 million in the process.

It comes complete with a pool, rooftop terrace, four-car garage and even a 20sq m private vault.

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The high-end development is in Kew’s popular Studley Park precinct.
The high-end development is in Kew’s popular Studley Park precinct.

The buyer is understood to be a local high-income earner whose customisations for the apartment included ditching a wine cellar being offered with it and instead asking for a teppanyaki grill to be installed in the outdoor entertainment area.

A bathroom was also removed from the floorplan at their behest.

The penthouse at 4 Fenwick St, Kew also includes a rooftop garden and pool.

Above Zero development boss AJ Batra could not provide the exact sale figure, but confirmed it was well clear of the affluent municipality’s current record holder: a penthouse in the Alexandra development at 402/39 Gellibrand Rd, Kew.

CoreLogic records show that apartment sold for $4.95 million in 2017.

Ahmed Fahour’s penthouse at 603/862 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn.
Ahmed Fahour’s penthouse at 603/862 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn.
Spa with a view at the former Australia Post boss’ pad.
Spa with a view at the former Australia Post boss’ pad.

The Rondure House sale is also understood to have topped the $5.5 million asking price that business identity and chief executive of Latitude Financial Services Ahmed Fahour was after for a penthouse at 603/862 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn.

He purchased that pad for $4.9 million, also in 2017, but withdrew it from the market after leasing it.

A render showing the lavish Rondure House penthouse interior.
A render showing the lavish Rondure House penthouse interior.

Mr Batra said customisation for high-end apartments was now fairly common.

“Everyone has their own preferences, and what they want and expect is all very different,” Mr Batra said.

Two other groups had contested the penthouse and both were now “working closely” with Mr Batra.

One is looking to combine three apartments in a separate part of the complex to create another penthouse that could wind up reaching an even higher price.

A teppanyaki grill will replace the wine cellar offered with the Rondure House penthouse.
A teppanyaki grill will replace the wine cellar offered with the Rondure House penthouse.

“It would be in a similar price range, and it might be even bigger,” he said.

With apartment living increasingly accepted in Melbourne, it was possible Boroondara would see eight-figure prices emerge in the not too distant future, Mr Batra added.

And such a figure might emerge sooner rather than later.

Penthouse, 39 Gellibrand St, Kew, is for sale with a $9.95 million asking price.
Penthouse, 39 Gellibrand St, Kew, is for sale with a $9.95 million asking price.

The penthouse at 39 Gellibrand Rd, Kew, is back on the market with a $9.95 million asking price via Marshall White.

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Originally published as Kew penthouse breaks Boroondara apartment record by $1m-plus

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/melbourne-vic/kew-penthouse-breaks-boroondara-apartment-record-by-1mplus/news-story/8529af1bc384d2c90234750b2f43d726