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A Coveted Home on a Prized Piece of Land in Sydney Sells for First Time in 30 Years

The estate on Bellevue Hill was built for entertaining, sports and views

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Listing of the Day

Location: Sydney, Australia Price: A$27 million  (US$19.9 million)

This estate on Bellevue Hill in Sydney is ideal for sporty types, with its floodlit tennis court and swimming pool. But if chilling out is more your thing, it also has plenty of sun-drenched terraces where you can relax with a drink in hand.

In an elevated spot that provides sweeping views across Sydney Harbour, Belhaven is on one of the area’s most coveted parcels of land. The harbour and its steel arch bridge, as well as Bondi Beach with its golden sand, can be seen from the property's three floors and roof terrace.

Dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the property has been designed in Federation style, which is similar to the Queen Anne and Edwardian styles of the U.K. High ceilings, well-proportioned rooms and hardwood flooring feature throughout.

With informal and formal living spaces, ranging from elegant reception rooms to outdoor terraces, the property is "made for entertaining," said Michele Bender, who has owned the estate with her husband, Stephen Johns, for 15 years. "It’s a family house that doubles as a sophisticated entertaining haven."

More:At Over $70 Million, Fairfax Family Estate Beats Australian Price Record

Bought by Mr. Johns three decades ago, the property has been extensively renovated and extended over the years. A poolside sun room with concertina doors, and a separate one-bedroom guesthouse has been added, and the kitchen was completely refitted two years ago, according to Ms. Bender.

Described by Sotheby’s Australian chairman, Geoffrey Smith, as "an art collector’s paradise,"  the walls of the house are decorated with paintings and tapestries, and the manicured formal gardens that surround the property are embedded with sculptures.

The property’s large reception rooms and gardens make it an ideal place to display art, the couple said. They have an extensive collection of art that features works by prominent artists from Australia, England and the U.S.  

"Some pieces may be available through separate negotiation as, regrettably, we can’t take them all with us," Ms. Bender said. The couple is planning to downsize to an apartment.

Set on more than half an acre of land, the estate is hidden at the end of a long driveway and enclosed by tall hedges. "There are some properties with large gardens in the area but very few are big enough for a full-sized tennis court," Ms. Bender said.

More:Sydney Home on Lavender Bay Has Room for 90-Foot Boat

The Stats

The home has a total of six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and five parking spots. The property is 2,244-square meters (around 24,000 square feet).

To the front of the house, there are electric gates, formal gardens, a driveway and undercover parking for three cars.

Amenities

The estate comes with a detached gatehouse, which is ideal for guests, a teenager who wants to live near but not with the family or an older relative. It has a bedroom, a shower room, an additional half bathroom, a living/dining room and a separate entrance onto the street.

The house also has a barbecue area and a wine cellar.

More:One of Sydney’s Priciest Homes Hits Market for $48 Million

Neighborhood Notes

Bellevue Hill is an affluent and leafy suburb located six kilometers east of the Sydney central business district. It features many beautiful heritage homes and has long attracted wealthy families and celebrities. Toni Collette is a former resident.

It is within walking distance of Bondi Beach and Double Bay, an upscale shopping destination.

Agent: Michael Pallier, Sydney Sotheby's International Realty

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