Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan’s $17m home coup

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has put the Wallabies’ woes aside to score a massive win on the sale of his home described as ‘Sydney’s most beautiful’.

11 King George St, Lavender Bay has sold for about $17m tonight.

A buyer based in Hong Kong has paid about $17m for the Lavender Bay mansion owned by Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan and his wife Lucinda.

The grand circa 1886 mansion Alta Mura — which passersby described as “the most beautiful house in Sydney” — was launched to the market at the end of July via Atlas principal Michael Coombs and Adrian Bridges.

The most recent guide was $16m to $17.5m.

Coombs and Bridges wouldn’t comment on the price achieved on Friday night, but said there’d been three strong buyers interested in the King George St residence over the past few weeks. It’s understood Jonathon De Brennan of De Brennan Property introduced the buyer, who works in financial markets and will be moving in next year.

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The home has been meticulously renovated, with interiors by Anna Spiro.

Hamish McLennan with daughter Olivia and wife Lucinda.

Specific improvements include repainting and replacement of floor surfaces throughout.

The agents had pulled a planned auction a week before as these would-be purchasers weren’t quite in a position to buy.

At the start of the campaign, Coombs said he’d been excited to win the listing because it was so notable.

“I get asked ‘who owns that house?’ and ‘can you approach the owners about selling?’ about a dozen times each year!” he said.

So it’s hardly surprising that the McLennans have done extremely well over seven years.

They’d purchased the property for $7.4m in 2016 from tech guru Daniel Petre and his wife, Carolyn.

The McLennans did a meticulous renovation, with Anna Spiro commissioned for the interiors and Peter Fudge for the landscaping of the 746sqm block.

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Peter Fudge did the landscaping.

11 King George St, Lavender Bay

The kitchen features an island bench, Miele appliances and a butlers’ pantry.

There are five grand bedrooms.

At the start of the campaign, the McLennans said they’d enjoyed the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood.

“It’s so quiet, the neighbours are very quiet ... you often get woken up by the birds,” Lucinda said.

Among the home’s attractions are the elegant lounge with original timbers and a marble gas fireplace; a heated mosaic tiled swimming pool; a separate teen retreat and multiple secluded alfresco zones, perfect for entertaining.

The kitchen features an island bench, Miele appliances and a butlers’ pantry.

The master suite faces north, along with a study, and a top deck has tranquil district views across Lavender Bay.

The couple are upgrading to a $30m five-bedroom, five-bathroom Eastbourne Rd, Darling Point residence owned by Olympic gold medalist and owner of K2 Recruitment Mark Kerry and his interior designer wife, Lynda.

The Kerrys have done a major reno on the grand home, bought for $11m in 2020.

Apart from being the Rugby Australia chairman, McLennan is also chairman of the REA Group, publisher of realestate.com.au, and deputy chairman of Magellan Funds Management.

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Originally published as Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan’s $17m home coup