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Alan Jones has ‘no plans’ to sell Toaster apartment despite secret viewings

By Lucy Macken, Andrew Hornery and Kate McClymont

Alan Jones insists he is not selling his luxury apartment overlooking Circular Quay, despite potential buyers being shown through the property after signing confidentiality agreements.

Jones recently returned to Australia after an extended hiatus in London following bombshell indecent assault allegations.

Alan Jones at the harbourside apartment at Circular Quay he purchased in 2017 for $10.5 million.

Alan Jones at the harbourside apartment at Circular Quay he purchased in 2017 for $10.5 million.Credit: Wade Laube

Potential buyers have already been shown through the trophy pad in Circular Quay’s landmark “Toaster” building, property sources not authorised to discuss the matter have told the Herald.

But the broadcaster told the Herald, “I have no plans to sell and the property is not on the market.”

Prospective purchasers were required to sign a strict confidentiality agreement to not disclose any details about who owns the apartment and the asking price.

Sources said Sotheby’s Jaime Upton is handling the sale, but she was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

The asking price remains unknown but a source suggested a figure close to $20 million, given its front-row position at the northernmost end of the prestige Bennelong building.

The northernmost end of the Bennelong building is home to Alan Jones’s three-bedroom apartment overlooking the forecourt of the Opera House.

The northernmost end of the Bennelong building is home to Alan Jones’s three-bedroom apartment overlooking the forecourt of the Opera House.Credit: Domain

Jones’ three-bedroom apartment is known as a “piano-style apartment” because it is shaped in a curve like a grand piano, and comes with parking for two cars on title.

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Late last year, the Herald and The Age revealed allegations that Jones used his position of power to prey on a number of young men, indecently assaulting them, groping or inappropriately touching them without their consent.

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Jones denied the allegations and threatened legal action.

On Sunday, Jones said in a video released to News Corp mastheads that he had planned to resume hosting duties at his online site ADH TV in mid-February but could not do so because of a recent health diagnosis.

He was last on ADH TV in November.

Jones has called his apartment at Circular Quay home for more than 20 years, renting the apartment long before he purchased it in 2017 for $10.5 million from Queensland coal baron Brian Flannery.

At the time of the purchase, Jones was the reigning talkback king on 2GB radio station, owned by Nine, which also owns this masthead.

Previous listing information describes the property as a blue-chip apartment that “offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle of rare exclusivity and outstanding luxury”, featuring marble bathrooms and a spa bath.

The Southport residence owned by Alan Jones and his niece Tonia Taylor and her husband Justin Taylor.

The Southport residence owned by Alan Jones and his niece Tonia Taylor and her husband Justin Taylor.Credit: Domain

In 2020, Jones claimed he was retiring from 2GB on his doctor’s advice, but in reality he was effectively forced out as advertisers had left in droves due to his misogynistic remarks about then New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

Two years later, Jones sold his Southern Highlands farm, known as both Elizabeth Farm and Charlieville in honour of his parents, for $12.8 million, and in early 2022 purchased a luxury riverfront residence in Queensland’s Southport for $12.25 million.

The Gold Coast property is majority owned by Jones while his niece Tonia Taylor and her husband Justin own 12 per cent of it.

Jones holds a substantial Gold Coast property portfolio including an apartment in the Iconic Kirra Beach Resort he purchased in late 2019 for $2.3 million. Chantrel Thrupp, the mother of Jones’ young protégé Jake, is understood to reside in one of Jones’ apartments. She also manages his Queensland real estate, including handling Airbnb bookings.

Alan Jones purchased an apartment in the Iconic Kirra Beach Resort in late 2019 for $2.3 million.

Alan Jones purchased an apartment in the Iconic Kirra Beach Resort in late 2019 for $2.3 million.Credit: Domain

In 2019, Jake Thrupp emailed Jones complaining about the Iconic’s management trying to prevent his mother listing Jones’ apartment with Airbnb.

“Alan, the scrutiny and endless inquiry into what you are doing with your own apartment is out of order,” wrote Jake in an email obtained by the Herald, who then suggested “these no-hopers ... may need a tickle up” and that Jones should call “and pull them into line”.

“Mum is tough and this doesn’t bother her, but it is offensive to you and you should
be kept in the loop about what these people are saying,” wrote Thrupp in his email.

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5fd6o