Vaucluse in demand as A-listers descend on harbourside suburb

Vaucluse was once the suburb of CEOs, trust fund managers and industry leaders. But in recent months celebrities have brought a little bit of sparkle to the area.

It was long known as Australia’s wealthiest suburb.

But now it’s not only the rich but also the famous who have jostled aside the CEOs and trust funders for a slice of Vaucluse.

Billionaire property developer, Wentworth Road’s Harry Triguboff of the Meriton fortune, Sanity music boss Ray Itaoui who set a record with his $53 million Carrara Road purchase in 2016, Westfield heiress Betty Klimenko who just bought six neighbouring Vaucluse properties and Menulog’s Leon Kamenev – who has an incredible $80 million pad on Coolong Road – have got some glitzy new neighbours.

Natalie Portman watching a Rabbits vs Roosters match in March. Undoubtedly corrupted into becoming a bunnies fan by Russell Crowe (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Hollywood A-lister Natalie Portman has taken up residence in the suburb since September with her husband Benjamin Millepie while shooting Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder.

She’s a regular at Nielsen Park and has been known to take a dip at adjoining Shark Beach.

Natalie Portman’s eastern suburbs pad. Source: alisoncoopes.com

Comedian Hamish Blake and his skin care heiress wife Zoe Foster-Blake upped sticks from Melbourne and splashed almost $9 million on a home in December.

Zoe Foster Blake and Hamish Blake have made the move from Melbourne. (Photo by Sam Tabone/WireImage)

Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster Blake’s pad cost $8.95 million

This time last year cricketer Steve Smith and his wife Dani paid $6.6 million for their family home in Vaucluse after falling in love with the suburb while renting after selling off their Coogee penthouse.

PR guru Roxy Jacenko has called Vaucluse home since 2018 when she spent $6.5 million on her mansion.

Australian cricketer Steve Smith poses at the SCG. Picture: Brett Costello

Inside the Smith family abode.

Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen and his Home and Away sweetheart Isla Fisher considered buying an $11 million home in Vaucluse in March with paparazzi snapping them during an inspection.

They are said to love the neighbourhood which leaves them just a short drive from fellow Hollywood pal Russell Crowe who has a home at Woolloomooloo.

Merivale pub baron Justin Hemmes, a social scene favourite who treads the line between mogul and celebrity, owns one of the most lavish homes in Vaucluse.

The Hermitage is a gothic masterpiece with incredible views across Sydney Harbour.

Justin Hemmes home, The Hermitage at Vaucluse

Our Roxy at home in Vaucluse. Picture: Richard Dobson

The suburb also has an impressive list of former locals including James and Erica Packer who sold trophy home La Mer for around $70 million in 2015 and radio queen Jackie O Henderson who recently moved over to Woollahra.

Traditionally visiting Hollywood superstars and home grown celebrities have favoured the beachside suburbs of Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama with the promise of sun, sea and surf.

Rose Bay and Double Bay with their many restaurants, cafes and designer stores have also traditionally got the nod of approval ahead of Vaucluse.

But just as tastes in fashion and music change so does the popularity of suburbs.

And for now Vaucluse is the place to be.