Hopetoun Ave Mosman: North shore’s most expensive street
It’s known as the ‘golden triangle’ of Mosman and is home to some of Sydney’s most spectacular mansions. We take a look at the north shore’s richest street and who lives there.
It’s the millionaire mile of Mosman where mansions boast some of the most impressive views of Sydney Harbour and prospective buyers can wait years for the opportunity to get their hands on a property.
While there are plenty of contenders for the north shore’s most expensive street, there is one stretch of road that stands out in the crowd: Hopetoun Ave.
Skirting the cliff tops of Balmoral and overlooking Chinaman’s Beach, the 450m stretch of road is known in property circles as a key piece of Mosman’s ‘Golden Triangle’ made up of Hopetoun, Burran and Kirkoswald Avenues.
Over the decades it has been home to doctors, prominent business identities and plenty of famous faces including Kyle Sandilands and the boss of Sydney FC.
The Mosman Daily takes a look at the some of Hopetoun Avenue’s most spectacular homes and finds out who lives there:
ANGUS HARRIS’S BEACH COTTAGE
Harris Farm co-chief executive Angus Harris and his wife Louisa are among the newest residents on the street with the couple snapping up number a beachside cottage earlier this year.
CoreLogic data shows the property sold for $8.1 million in March and is one of the few homes on the avenue that has direct access to Rosherville Reserve and Chinamans Beach.
Mr Harris is one of five children of David and Cathy Harris who founded the fresh food grocery chain in 1971 and consider the north shore to be the heartland of the business.
Angus Harris serves as co-chief executive alongside his brothers Luke and Tristan, who lives in Castle Cove.
Development plans to Mosman Council show the cottage at may not be part of the local landscape for much longer, with a $3.2 million redevelopment application lodged to demolish the home to make way for a new two-storey abode along with a swimming pool and landscaping works.
The proposal is currently under assessment.
PRIDHAM’S RECORD BREAKING HOME
Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham and his wife Carolyn set a new property record for Mosman in 2018 when they snapped up one of Sydney’s great homes for $25 million.
The property comes with everything you’d expect with the price tag including a boat shed, six bedrooms and is one of a handful of Hopetoun Ave homes with direct water access.
Originally from Adelaide, Mr Pridham joined the board of the Swans in 2004 before becoming chair of the AFL side in 2013 and was recognised in the 2019 Australia Day Honours for his service to banking, sport and philanthropy.
Plans to Mosman Council show a $7.96 million development plan is in the works for the couple’s Hopetoun Rd home that would involve demolishing the existing abode and replacing it with a new five level mansion.
The proposal remains under assessment.
SALMON’S $9M STUNNER
Sarah Salmon is the owner of this Hopetoun Ave stunner after the property sold for $9.05 million in June last year.
The home is designed by renowned architect Susan Rothwell and comes complete with four bedrooms, a pool, outdoor terraces, breathtaking views and more.
Ms Salmon is the wife of Assetz founder Ben Salmon and bought the home from property developer Michael Lowry and his wife Rita.
Earlier this year, Mosman Council rejected a $895,000 application to renovate the home on the grounds it was “not in keeping with the desired future character” of the area.
DONE’S RETREAT
Artist Ken Done and his wife Judy are among the street’s longest-standing residents.
Their three bedroom home features striking architecture, a pool, outdoor terraces and stunning views across Sydney Harbour.
The couple have lived in Mosman for more than 60 years, with Mr Done previously telling the Mosman Daily he “wouldn’t live anywhere else”.
Mr Done, whose career spans 40 years, is known best for his colourful oil and acrylic paintings depicting Australian landmarks including the Sydney Opera House.
He also runs a successful design company called “Done Art and Design” alongside his wife.
Over the decades, Mr Done has received multiple awards and honours including being appointed an Order of Australia medal for his services to art, design and tourism in 2019.
OATLEY’S MEGA BLOCK
Ros Oatley, daughter of wine baron Bob Oatley, also called Hopetoun Ave home.
Not much is publicly known about the property except it sits on one of the largest blocks on the street, and includes a boatshed and jetty.
Mosman Council last year approved a development application for renovation works at the property including replacing a driveway with landscaping, a new pergola and fencing.
FINANCE MAN’S LAVISH ABODE
Marcus Darville – the managing partner of private equity firm Quadrant – snapped up a stunning Hopetoun Ave home for $10.9 million in July last year.
Rising up above the blue waters of Chinamans Beach, the lavish home features four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a pool.
CoreLogic data shows the home was previously sold for $3.25 million in 2003 and $1.6 million in 2000.
THE POET’S HOME
This impressive home was sold for $7.5 million in May this year after spending just 82 days on the market.
Known as ‘Ithaca’ the property was sold by the family of the late Rob Pigott, who passed away in December 2018.
Mr Pigott was a former doctor who made a career change later in life, finding success as an artist and poet which gave the home its nickname – the ‘poet’s house’.
In May this year, realestate.com.au reported the new owners were local downsizers who had plans to renovate the home.
VAN AANHOLT’S HARBOUR RETREAT
David and Linda van Aanholt entered Mosman’s Golden Mile in March last year after buying for $6.6 million.
The home boasts plenty of impressive features including five bedrooms, two bathrooms and a pool.
Mr van Aanholt is the independent chairman of ASX-listed, investment and funds management group 360 Capital.
Mosman Council is currently considering a $847,370 development application for various home renovations including a new pool and garage.
EX BANK EXEC’S ‘AWE INSPIRING’ HOME
John and Carolyn Rendle moved to the Golden Mile after snapping up a Hopetoun Ave home for $10.5 million in December 2018.
The three level home is said to be one of the “most awe inspiring architecturally designed homes” in the street and includes five bedrooms, a pool and four bathrooms.
CoreLogic data shows the home previously sold for $6.6 million in 2010 and $3.975 million in 2004.
Mr Rendle is the former executive of Macquarie Bank.
EX DICK SMITH EXEC’S BEACHSIDE HOME
The former chief executive of Dick Smith Electronics Nick Abboud holds the keys to a spectacular Hopetoun Ave home.
Nestled above Chinaman’s Beach, the property features four bedrooms, a triple car garage and outdoor entertainment areas.
Mr Abboud snapped up the lavish home for $5 million in 2013.
For decades, Dick Smith Electronics was the staple of shopping centres and precincts across Australia until 2016 when the company announced all 363 stores in Australia and New Zealand would close.
FINANCE BOSS ON $4.5M FIND
Financiers Anne and Peter Rozenauers snapped up a relatively modest Hopetoun Ave home for $4.56 million in 2012.
The home comes complete with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, outdoor terraces and a pool.
Mosman Council approved a $332,800 home renovation to enclose a terrace for a new master bedroom earlier this year.
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Originally published as Hopetoun Ave Mosman: North shore’s most expensive street
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