The Sydney home with harbour view, privacy and one neighbour
It’s not often that a fully renovated home with harbour views, a big block with supreme privacy hits the market in Seaforth.
One neighbour, 150 degree views of Middle Harbour and a tranquil bush setting, you would never guess you were 20 minutes walk to shops and even closer to the city bus stop.
It was the supremely private position, with bushland beside and behind the house, that attracted Simon and Nadine Orbell nine years ago when they bought what they described as a ‘sixties ski chalet.’
Number 21 Gurney Cres, Seaforth is now a renovated quality home with bifolds opening the living areas out to the terrace and the view. There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a double garage plus off-street parking.
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The property goes to auction on Saturday July 20 through Cunninghams Real Estate and has a $2.7 million to $2.9 million price guide.
“The house had a lot of timber and it looked as if the previous owners ran a catering operation as the house had a huge coolroom,” Mr Orbell said.
But the pair could see how the house could be improved making the most of the sweeping views over to Sugarloaf Bay.
“We could hardly believe we could be so close to the city and still be in a quiet bush area,” Mr Orbell said.
The sun catching the glass of the city buildings coupled with the light on the canopy of trees gives rise to a gorgeous hue in the sky especially at sunset and it is a view the couple never tired of. To maximise that view they expanded by fivefold a balcony at entry level creating a deep wraparound terrace which they virtually live on during the summer. And as the terrace flows out from the kitchen and large open-plan living areas via bifolds it works well as an entertaining area.
The Orbells renovated the two-level house adding a bedroom, replacing the bathrooms and laundry and renovating the kitchen. They also added a deck off the lower level plus installed a timber deck in the back yard.
The block is large at 670sqm and there are two lawns front and back. Much of the land though is sloping with native bush meaning it doesn’t need mowing yet gives the house plenty of privacy.
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Street access is fairly level and there is both a double garage and gated off-street parking. For Mr Orbell, who has a busy job, coming home to a restful view and an airy large home is a tonic. The home has creature comforts of ducted airconditioning, a fireplace in the living area, heated floors in the bathrooms and two of the bedrooms have their own bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes.
Agent Andrew Lutze, of Cunninghams Real Estate, said it was great to see such a quality home offered to market with both relaxed family living and a gorgeous water view at a fraction of the price of some of the prestige Seaforth properties.
Originally published as The Sydney home with harbour view, privacy and one neighbour