These Mega Mansions Have Been Left on the Real Estate Shelf

Welcome to Australia’s magnificent mansions that have been left on the real estate shelf over the new year. Although they are among Australia’s most impressive homes, with hefty asking prices to match, these palatial pads were left to linger on the market while other millionaire homes were snapped up for big bucks in 2015. Media heir turned casino king pin James Packer, and his ex-wife Erica, managed to offload their mammoth Vaucluse compound La Mer last year. It sold for a reported $70 million to billionaire Chinese property developer Dr Chau Chak Wing while setting a new Australian price record in the process.

Two luxury Sydney properties in Point Piper, Mandalay and Villa Del Mare, were both snapped up for about $39 million each. And, six properties were sold for more than $20 million each in the past 12 months. However, these mansions were left waiting for their windfall. Maybe 2016 is the year for these homes, some of which have been listed since 2013. So, cross you fingers, buy a Powerball ticket and then consider one of these homes — they no doubt have owners keen to sell.

NEW SOUTH WALES

110 Wolseley Rd, Point Piper

Days on market: 452

Original asking price: More than A$37 million (when first listed)

Last sold price: A$20.6 million (2005)

Wow factor: Owned by MST mining boss Gary Zamel and his wife Karyn, this elaborate four-bedroom waterfront home was once home to Lachlan Murdoch. As well as impressive views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and CBD, it has a dining conservatory, antique wrought iron gates, heated harbourside pool, bar and wine cellar.

6-8 Carrara Rd, Vaucluse

Days on market: Since August 2013

Asking price: Reportedly more than $60 million

Last sold price: About $6 million (1997)

Wow factor: The nine-bedroom designer digs is believed to have cost about $20 million to build and is owned by financier Andrew Ipkendanz. Created by acclaimed architect Peter Stutchbury, the near-new residence on 2000sq m has 10 bathrooms, a parents’ suite, his and hers dressing rooms, guest quarters, games room, theatre, 20m pool, boatshed and a five-car garage.

9 Coolong Rd, Vaucluse

Days on market: 720

Original asking price: More than $30 million

Last sold price: $14.725 million (2002)

Wow factor: Leonardo DiCaprio stayed here while filming The Great Gatsby (at a reported cost of $15,000 a week), but this seven-bedroom home is actually owned by investment banker Alastair Walton. Rebuilt by architect Luigi Rosselli, it features designer interiors, a tennis court, infinity pool, private jetty, slipway and garaging for nine cars.

550 New South Head Rd, Point Piper

Days on market: Since 2013

Original asking price: Reportedly between $70 million and $100 million

Last sold price: Entered the Fairfax family in 1911 for 2100 pounds.

Wow factor: Elaine is a seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom palatial property sitting on a vast 700sq m of waterfront land — one of the largest private patches in Sydney’s exclusive eastern suburbs, but it is understood the 1870s building requires substantial renovation. The estate has been in the hands of the Fairfax publishing clan for four generations.

177 O’Briens Rd, Cattai

Days on market: 294

Original asking price: More than $20 million (when first listed in 2013)

Last sold price: n/a

Wow factor: Sweven sits on the Hawkesbury River, north west of Sydney. It is the labour of love created by millionaire Brett Blundy, the mastermind behind retail chains Adairs, Bras n Things and Lush. Designed by Timothy Moon, the designer getaway was built with New Zealand schist rock and recycled sugar mill timber. The luxury rental, which can fetch up to $17,500 a week, has an infinity pool, guest apartment, a separate treetop office, a lake and 11 fenced paddocks.

2 Macleay St, Potts Point

Days on market: 180

Original asking price: More than $20 million

Last sold price: $15 million (2009)

Wow factor: Owned by luxury car dealer Terry Mullens and his wife Wendy, Jenner House has been recently renovated. The historic residence, which was designed by colonial architect Edmund Blackett, was finished in 1868 and once played host to a young King George V on a naval visit to Sydney. The six-bedroom mansion has a gatehouse, drawing room, breakfast room, wine cellar and nursery.

VICTORIA

20 Linlithgow Rd, Toorak

Days on market: 448

Original asking price: More than $15 million

Last sold price: $3.12 million (2005)

Wow factor: The modern four-bedroom mansion was designed by Stephen Jolson, has an indoor lap pool, heated bluestone floors, a commercial kitchen with a scullery, a 20m indoor lap pool, gym and a rooftop terrace.

433 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern

Days on market: 321

Asking price: More than $15 million

Last sold price: n/a

Wow factor: An uber modern home, this property has eight bedrooms including a vast main bedroom suite, pool with a water-jet spa, gym, home cinema, wine cellar, integrated technology and space for up to 18 cars.

5 Willsmere Rd, Kew

Days on market: 162

Asking price: More than $7 million

Last sold price: $539,000 (1985)

Wow factor: Harelands featured in Home & Garden magazine way back in 1913, but today has a host of period and more modern finishes including arts and crafts-era oak panelling, leadlighting, open fireplaces, a temperature-controlled wine cellar and security throughout.

QUEENSLAND

7313 Bayside Cl, Sanctuary Cove

Days on market: 263

Asking price: $15 million

Last sold price: $2 million (2007)

Wow factor: Sitting on 1965sq m of waterfront land with a private pontoon, this grand Queenslander has all the bells and whistles from the 25m undercover temperature-controlled pool and outdoor kitchen with teppanyaki bar to the karaoke room and sauna.

3726 Cape Tribulation Rd, Cape Tribulation

Days on market: 219

Asking price: $15 million

Last sold price: $1.725 million (land in 2006)

Wow factor: Designed by award-winning architect Charles Wright, Alkira won the 2014 Queensland Architecture Award. It is completely self-sufficient with its own water and power supply as well as featuring a unique interior design made up of concrete, marble and timber. Surrounded by the Daintree forest, the pavilion-style home is also by the beach.

57-59 The Corso, Surfers Paradise

Days on market: 243

Asking price: More than $15 million

Last sold price: n/a

Wow factor: Built across four blocks of land, this Surfers pad has views of the city skyline and the waterways. It features rosewood floors and cabinetry, a gym, salt water pool, 7000-bottle wine cellar, an entertaining wing with bar, cinema and a billiards den that opens out to a rainforest garden.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

149 Wellington St, Mosman Park

Days on market: 296

Asking price: More than $18 million

Last sold price: n/a

Wow factor: Known as The Nirvarna, this Perth palace has panoramic views of the Swan River and the city, plus lush parterre gardens, a musical water feature, an outdoor kitchen beside a pool terrace and a 12-seater home cinema room.

5 Mount Richard Rd, Nanarup

Days on market: 250 (also listed in 2013 by same owner)

Asking price: More than $20 million

Last sold price: n/a

Wow factor: After superstar Lady Gaga stayed at Maitraya in 2010 she described the private oasis as “beautiful” and signed in the guest book that she was leaving “rested, happy and inspired”. The beachfront estate near Albany has its own airstrip and helipad, an aviator’s cottage, theatre, tennis court, indoor pool and an eight-bedroom manor house. This article originally appeared on news.com.au.