MyCupCakeAddiction founder Elise Strachan to sell Gold Coast home

With her YouTube cupcake business hitting astronomical heights, Elise Strachan has left the Goldie for LA.

Hayden Ballantyne’s Hopeland estate south of Perth, Western Australia.

Elise Strachan, the founder of MyCupCakeAddiction, and husband Alec are seeking $1.95 million-plus for their Tallebudgera home in the Gold Coast hinterland. The couple, who are looking to upsize more land in mind, paid $1.38m for the five-bedroom home in the scenic Tallebudgera Park estate in 2015. It features a home cinema, bar, wine cellar, steam room and a converted garage with its own kitchen. Outside there’s a private meditation garden, resort-style pool with waterfall and spa, and a two-storey treehouse. LJ Hooker Mudgeeraba agent John Fischer has the listing. Strachan began MyCupCakeAddiction in 2011, posting videos to YouTube. She has since had more than one billion hits and a US television show.

An opportunity mined

The luxury Cottesloe apartment of Elizabeth Gaines, the new CEO of Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s mining company Fortescue Metals, and husband Kevin Manuel is under contract. There was no price indication through Andrew Porteous at William Porteous Property International. The apartment in Perth’s west cost the couple $3.57m in 2016 when they bought it from the Hughes car dealership family. It became their West Australian base after they sold on Sydney’s northern beaches, the former home of model and Myer ambassador Jennifer Hawkins and builder husband Jake Wall at North Curl Curl. The three-level apartment is in a block of just four designed by the architect Blane Brackenridge.

From the horse’s mouth

Former Ladbrokes CEO Dean Shannon has sold a Queensland equestrian property. The 4ha Guanaba estate on the banks of the Coomera River in the Gold Coast hinterland had a $1.9m asking price through Scenic Road Properties agent Drew Slack-Smith. The 10 post and rail horse paddocks, each with their own luxury indoor/outdoor stable, were added by Shannon since his $1,525,000 purchase in late 2014. There’s also a barn, super stables and an outdoor arena. The main homestead set in gardens has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and three main living areas.

A mark of distinction

Fremantle Dockers veteran Hayden Ballantyne is selling his Hopeland, WA rural estate. The 25ha agistment property, 50km south of Perth, cost Ballantyne $1.7m in 2011. The listing photos give an obvious nod to Ballantyne’s ownership, with his framed number 1 jersey in the theatre room, alongside memorabilia gathered over his nine-year career. Since purchasing he has added a main modern residence, wrapped by a veranda, separate office and a rumpus room. There’s 32 paddocks with horse rail fencing and an onsite managers cottage for additional farming income. Ballantyne previously tried to sell the property in 2013. It’s now for sale through Greg Penn at Realmark Mandurah, who has set an April 15 auction. In 2016, Ballantyne married his long-term partner Alyssa Hennessy in nearby North Dandalup. They have two children.

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