One of Australia's most impressive and unusual homes, the Alkira mansion in the Daintree rainforest in Queensland, will be auctioned on Nov. 30 with no minimum bid, according to the selling agent Nicolette van Wijngaarden from Unique Estates Australia.
The futuristic-looking mansion floating on its own lake, was once listed for A$14 million (US$10.7 million).
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Also known as Stamp House, the Alkira mansion was envisioned by its current and sole proprietor Rod Perry, a stamp collector, and his wife, Marider.
After they purchased the 79-acre beachfront property circa 2008 in Tropical North Queensland where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, the couple commissioned noted architect Charles Wright to develop a sustainable estate that would enhance its natural wetland attributes and beauty, as well as operate as carbon neutral in its off-grid location.
It took five years and close to A$9 million (about U.S.$6.8 million) to build the house. The finished concrete structure resembled something out of "Star Wars," or "a lotus flower in a lake," said Ms. van Wijngaarden.
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The property is completely self-contained on solar power and rainwater. The flexible main living areas oscillate around the central pool and landscaped courtyard, complemented with cascading waterfall features. All six bedrooms stretch out in the pod-like arms of the building opening to the pool and courtyard area, each featuring a particular orientation and character.
The lake reflects the building and its surrounding rainforest, mountains and the sky. The grounds offer a myriad of plant life, according to the listing.
The owners, who are also real estate developers, put the house on the market for A$14 million in 2014. Last June, they cut the price to A$8.8 million ($US6.7 million) but still haven’t found a buyer.
"This home would make an amazing corporate or yoga retreat or a holiday home for a busy family. It would achieve income in excess of $250,000 per annum" if rented out, said Ms. van Wijngaarden.
The auction will be held at noon on Nov. 30 (Australian Eastern Standard Time) at The Marriott Spa and Resort on the Gold Coast, but bidding over the phone can be arranged through the agent.
Write to Fang Block at fang.block@dowjones.com