Friday 2nd September

Lighthouse cottage on the market

The historic Macquarie Lighthouse keepers’ cottage in Vaucluse, Sydney, has been listed for sale for over $8 million.

The current owners, Steven and Carmen Davidson, bought the home for $2.52 million in 2002 and have undergone extensive renovations overseen by heritage architect Clive Lucas, bringing some modern elements to what is a carefully restored masterpiece.

The heritage listed keepers' cottage, alongside the first and longest serving lighthouse in Australia, was originally built as two separate dwellings for the assistant lighthouse keepers. It sits on a 2600 square metre block with a large private courtyard. It includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a two-car garage, stables, gymnasium, spa, home office, and a large chef’s kitchen and separate butler’s kitchen.

The lighthouse, which was originally built in 1818 by convict Francis Greenway, was replaced in 1883 due to the use of poor quality sandstone. It was fully automated in 1976, and the last lighthouse keepers finished work 1989.

For further information, find it on Millionplus.

Full-floor penthouse in Eureka Tower

An apartment widely regarded as Melbourne’s best has been listed for sale this month with expectation of at least $13 million.

The residence occupies the entire 84th floor of Eureka Tower and offers spectacular 360 degree views of Melbourne. The Margie Bromilow designed interiors have been fully fitted to the most luxurious standards, utilising the most advanced home technology.

It features dark timber floors, timber panelling and an abundance of marble throughout the expansive formal areas and relaxed living areas. The home includes a state of the art home theatre room and is served by two complete Gaggenau kitchens, and a back lit onyx bar; has four opulent bedrooms with corresponding marble en-suites; its own private lift lobby; and a computerised home automation system that controls all lights, blinds, security, heating and cooling.

Residing in the Eureka Tower provides exclusive access to an extensive 24 hour concierge service, 25 metre pool, sun terrace, sauna, spa, and residents cinema, in addition to immediate proximity to  Southbank’s shops and restaurants, the city, Federation Square and easy access to the Domain, MCG and Tennis Centre.

For further information, find it on Millionplus.

Record-breaking mansion hits market for second time in four months

A four-bedroom, six bathroom waterfront mansion that set a sales record on the Gold Coast only four months ago is set to be sold again.

The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired mansion at 16 Etna Street, on the exclusive Isle of Capri, has been placed back on the market by its international owner.

Agent Nick Cole from Lucy Cole Prestige Properties said a change in personal circumstances had led the overseas owner, who paid more than $3 million for the property in April, to place it back on the market.

The April sale of the home, which was built by high profile South East Queensland commercial and residential builder Tom Jorgensen, set a record price for the prestigious canal front street.

The waterfront masterpiece, which features an impressive contemporary cantilevered design, was sold to the international buyer through a team effort involving Mr Cole and his colleagues Sam Guo and Julia Kuo.

For further information, find it on Millionplus.

Monaco takes the cake... again!

Home to Prince Albert II and the new Princess Charlene, the Monte Carlo Casino, the Circuit de Monaco Formula One track, and a figurehead of the French Riviera, Monaco takes the top prize once again for being the most expensive real estate in the world for the third year running.

The latest research, released by Knight Frank’s global index of luxury property prices, revealed that the average price per metre for a home in Monaco would set you back a staggering $65,600 per square metre – a figure some people pay for an entire house in other places around the world.

The index also reports that London is the second most expensive at $56,300 per square metre, and France has its fair share of golden miles with Cap Ferrat in third place at $54,600 per square metre, St Tropez at $40,800 per square metre, and Paris in at fifth place at $40,500 per square metre.

The remaining top ten cities continue to be dominated by French cities, including Courchevel and Cannes in sixth and seventh place, commanding $38,800, and $31,900 respectively.

Eight place goes to Tokyo at $28,300 per square metre, ninth goes to Hong Kong at $27,300 per square metre, and tenth is awarded to Singapore at $27,100 per square metre.

Shanghai took the trophy for the fastest growing city with a growth of 21% over last year, now priced at $17,700 per square metre.

Monaco’s biggest real estate sale in the last year was Christian and Nick Candy’s property ‘La Belle Epoque’. The 1,600 square metre penthouse sold to an unnamed buyer from the Middle East for a cool $340 million.

Monaco levies no income tax on individuals, making it famous for attracting a considerable number of wealthy residents from European countries who derive the majority of their income from activity outside Monaco.

It is one of the smallest countries by size in the world, second only to the Vatican City, and boasts the world's lowest unemployment rate, and the highest life expectancy, with its inhabitants averaging almost 90 years – maybe money can buy you the good life?