Where life is not a grind for coffee boss Di Bella

Leafy, green and central, inner-Brisbane’s New Farm will always be home to former coffee boss Phillip Di Bella and wife Gianna.

One of coffee’s household names, Phillip Di Bella, with wife Gianna, at their New Farm property in inner Brisbane Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Leafy, green and central, the inner Brisbane suburb of New Farm will always be home to former coffee boss Phillip Di Bella and wife Gianna.

Gianna recalls her upbringing in the suburb and its ongoing gentrification over the past three decades. While it is a different suburb to the one they remember as children, the couple of 18 years can’t imagine being anywhere else.

“Our home had to be in New Farm. We learned that the hard way,” Phillip explains. “We once built a home in Ascot that took us two years and we lived there for six months.”

The family gave up a spot by the river for the suburban streets in 2017 when they purchased their New Farm home for $6.5m.

The expansive wine cellar Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

From the road, it is hard to picture the scale of the property, which is largely hidden from passers-by behind fencing and trees, but the 1400sq m footprint of the home commands the large 990sq m block.

A significant renovation was completed before the family moved in. All of the grass was replaced with astroturf and concrete to make the home low maintenance, while the carpet made way for timber floorboards.

The dining room was opened up with folding glass doors to connect the ground floor interiors areas to the outdoor barbecue space. A copper coloured, pressed metal sheet acts as a striking focal point behind the heavy-set, 12-seat dining table.

The seven-bedroom home was converted to five to give kids Arnika, 12, and Arlee, 10, a private recreation room adjoining their bedrooms so they have their own space as they get older.

The striking dining room table and copper pressed sheets Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

This forward planning was done to make the home their long-term plan.

“I think we turned the house into a home when we moved in,” Gianna said. “There were some areas that weren’t as inviting and that real homely, cozy feel was really important to us.”

The internal gym is not just decoration. It has been put to good use over the past two years, particularly after Phillip had gastric banding surgery to assist him in losing 70kg. Outside, the kids have a space to play basketball and soccer, or can hangout in the internal games room.

There were a few other space considerations to consider, primarily to cater for Phillip’s affinity for wine, watches and cars. A purpose built, climate-controlled wine cellar greets anyone who heads down to the lower level of the home, visually striking with capacity for 2000 bottles. Phillip ­explains his passion for wine is interconnected to a love of coffee, with both sharing a similar flavour palette.

Pride of place is Michael Schumacher’s racing helmet Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Next to the cellar, is the property’s 10-car garage that protects an impressive collection of racing memorabilia and sports cars, including a Maserati Granturismo.

Michael Schumacher’s race winning helmet and the ball used in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final hang proudly from the walls, each purchased in charity auctions for the Brisbane Children’s ­Hospital.

“When we launched our business in 2002, we were the new kid on the block. Now it’s our turn, we want to help the kids how we can.”

The Di Bella name is no longer associated with the popular coffee brand, which was purchased by Retail Food Group in 2014 for $47m. They officially parted ways at the start of year, with Phillip already at work on his next project.

The New Farm natives recently sold their home on neighbouring Turner Street through Peter Hutton, founder of real estate agency Hutton and Hutton, who made the sale after the home sat on the market for more than two years through several different agents. The sale has well and truly made the current home their base.

When not at home, the Di Bellas stay at their holiday property in Queenstown, New Zealand, overlooking Lake Wakatipu. The award-winning residence is used by the family for four to six weeks a year, with the adults making extra trips when they can.