Trophy Homes: Chatfields land prize penthouse

Philanthropist Kevin Chatfield and wife Vicki have emerged as the buyers of Ron Bakir’s record-breaking Surfers penthouse.

The estate fronting Sunday Creek.

Philanthropist and businessman Kevin Chatfield and wife Vicki have emerged as the buyers of entrepreneur Ron Bakir’s record-breaking Surfers Paradise penthouse. The couple paid $9.5 million for the Ferny Avenue spread atop the Chevron Renaissance building earlier this year. The sale, which took 435 days, topped the previous penthouse high of $9.2m, set seven years ago when Melbourne builder Peter Devitt bought in Main Beach’s Liberty Panorama tower. Bakir turned the apartment from an empty shell of an office into a four-bedroom apartment, having paid $1.2m in 2014 for the ex-Raptis offices. The apartment features a 12-seat rooftop teppanyaki grill, eight drop-down TV sets and parking space for 21 cars. Michael Kollosche at Kollosche Prestige sold the apartment. Chatfield founded AV Technology, an audiovisual integration company. Kevin and Vicki own a nearby Surfers home on the riverfront Admiralty Drive that cost them $4.8m in 2011.

Winery offer heard on grapevine

The Tuileries, a historic Rutherglen winery, has been listed for sale. The property dates back to the 1860s French winemaker, Camille Reau. The 13ha estate, with frontage to Sunday Creek, has been in the Carter family for more than three decades. It was previously owned by the Seppelt wine group. While the original home and distillery have been demolished, the underground cellar remains in the garden that features plantings thought to be 120 years old. The property includes a 4ha cabernet vineyard. Pat Rice & Hawkins agent Rob Childs is marketing the property.

Polished jewel sells

Noni Calleij a, wife of jeweller to the stars John Calleija, has sold their Holywell penthouse on Queensland’s Gold Coast. It’s been bought by Melbourne-based Paul Wheelton and wife Heather. Wheelton paid $2.12m for the 350sq m northeast-facing penthouse in the Stockland-built Allisee block. The three-bedroom, single-level unit came with its own marina berth. It was sold by Alister Billingsley at Prestige Property Agents. Calleija paid $2.08m for the apartment in 2016, when buying from architect Andrew Simpson and his wife, interior designer Denise.

Historic homestead on market

Sunbury’s Emu Bottom, believed to be Victoria’s oldest homestead, has hit the market. The 24ha estate built in the 1830s has been privately held since 1968 when bought by Hedley Elliott and wife Jan for $120,000. Emu Bottom, which comes with an 1854 woolshed, is expected to sell for in excess of $5m-$6m. The property has had just five owners. It runs as a wedding and function venue and yields about $165,000 a year, based on a 15 per cent share of revenue. It’s being offered with seven years left on the lease through Ben Desmond at Ernst & Young Real Estate Advisory Services. The story of Emu Bottom Homestead began in 1835, when the schooner Enterprise sailed up Port Phillip Bay, with George Evans on board. After exploring the area, he chose to settle at Sunbury.

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