Central Element expects record sales for Ballamac House luxury apartments in Sydney’s Coogee

Boutique developer Central Element expects the eight luxury apartments it is developing at Sydney’s Coogee in the historic Ballamac House to yield record sales.

An artist’s impression of the eight luxury apartments being developed at historic Ballamac House, in Sydney’s coastal Coogee.

Boutique developer Central Element is yet to put a price on the eight luxury apartments it is developing in Sydney’s Coogee in its redevelopment of historic Ballamac House, but it expects the high-profile project will yield record sales in the coastal area because of the quality and prime eastern suburbs location.

Pricing for the Ballamac House project will be released at a market launch next year for the redevelopment of the grand mansion at 39 ­Arcadia St, Coogee, which has been sub­divided into flats for the past 60 years.

Led by Nathan Chivas, Wayne Chivas and Shane Smollen, Central Element’s acquisition of the Arcadia St property will see the historic Ballamac House restored and revived into its original glory while creating one of the most prestigious collections of eight new residences in Sydney’s eastern suburbs with an additional modern apartment building added to the east of the existing Victorian-era mansion.

Presenting two unique and exclusive opportunities for premium coastal living on Coogee’s northern headland, the restored Heritage Ballamac House will celebrate the luxury of ­estate living while the signature-­designed new build will prioritise the sublime ocean views and eastern ­aspect of the site.

Central Element said its vision of fusing old and new would bring the Ballamac House estate into an era of luxury.

The restoration and new build will be designed by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer, a longstanding partner of Central Element, having collaborated on previous projects including 25Hours Paddington and The Metro-Minerva Potts Point.

Coogee’s northern headland in Sydney.

With the recent completion of the world-class restoration and conservation of Bondi Pavilion, TZG was the natural choice for its expertise in reviving the history of Ballamac House, Central Element said in a statement. The eight apartments will feature three bedrooms, with the rooftop and penthouse apartments split across two levels of living.

Two of the residences will sit within the original 1860s house, with the remaining six in the added modern apartment building.

All residences will enjoy the waterfront location with uninterrupted views out to Wedding Cake Island.

The two apartments in the original house are an ode to old-worldly living, with the retention of the external and internal walls of the original house, along with original fireplaces, mantelpieces, and decorative ceilings, according to Central Element.

Each of the two luxury residences will also see the reconstruction of the wraparound veranda with the original rectangular cast iron columns, allowing for easy indoor-to-outdoor living. The repair and conservation of the sandstone walls of the original house will be continued in the new apartment building, which will feature luxurious modern residences, each with outdoor entertaining areas and gardens.

Ballamac House is the focal point of the redevelopment, with the apartment building sitting separately from the original building.

Apart from the conservation and restoration of the historic elements of Ballamac House, landscaping, a 40sq m rooftop terrace and a small pool will be added to the property.

“Ballamac House is a hallmark project for Central Element and set to make a lasting impact on the celebrated beach lifestyle of one of Sydney’s most sought-after addresses,” Central Element managing director Nathan Chivas said.

“The legacy and famous history of the building will be preserved as we transform the former residence and add further luxury living spaces that will deliver an elevated lifestyle dimension to the landmark site.”

Ballamac House has previously been a family estate, a hotel and more recently a strata title in the 1970s.

It has been home to some of the most interesting characters in Aus­tralian history and has had British royalty roam its halls.

Completion of the redevelopment is scheduled for 2024.