Lugano, one of Ashfield's finest period homes, has sold for $4.4 million through Harris Tripp First National.

The vendors, Anne and Howard Harrison are off to Redfern.

The successful auction marks the first time Lugano has traded in almost 25 years. It sold at $725,000 in 1991.

The grand residence offers original 1910 period features with eight fireplaces, polished timber floors, high ceilings and huge attic storage area.

There are manicured gardens, heated swimming pool, and rear lane access to automatic garage on the 715sqm block.

The chairman of the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse cancer centre, company director Doug Snedden and his wife Belinda Clark have sold in Warrawee, seemingly securing their desire of more than $5 million.

The 1930s home designed in the stockbroker tudor style by architect John Brogan had been bought by the couple in 1999 for $2,325,000 from the ASX chairman Roderick Holliday-Smith and his wife Margaret.

Scott Chadwick, of Chadwicks Real Estate, sold the 1800 sqm Pibrac Avenue property that comes with tennis court and pool.

Professor Chris O'Brien was a surgeon who achieved national recognition as a compassionate surgeon in the reality television series RPA.

His vision and leadership built the foundation for the O'Brien Lifehouse institute specialising in the treatment of cancer.

O'Brien, diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2006, fought the illness until he passed away in 2009.

His wife Gail continues to play a key role in supporting her husband's vision for Australia to have its own world-class comprehensive cancer care facility.

Gail recently sold the family home in Hunters Hill through Narelle Scott at Bresic Whitney who offered the listing with $4.5 million price guidance. 

Paying $3.1 million in 2002, the couple had traded up to the north-facing 1177 square metre property overlooking the Lane Cove River from nearby Ernest Street.

Agents Rodney Morley and Leonard Persichetti at Rodney Morley Persichetti has listed Ulverstone, an 1890s Italianate Victorian mansion at Ripponlea.

More than $2.3 million is tipped for the five bedroom home which has been meticulously restored by Derek Marvelly, the man behind restorations at Ravenswood and Werribee Mansion.

Ulverstone, which has 12-foot ceilings with gold-leaf cornices and ceiling roses, sits on a 1310 square metre holding with three street frontages.

There is a Ian Lyell designed solar heated pool and pool house at 23 Hotham Grove.

It goes to October 18 auction.

An 1884 Victorian Melbourne home has been listed for sale with $2.25 plus million hopes through Michael Armstrong at Kay & Burton.

The 53 Greville Street Prahran home has been recently restored by vendor Ian George.

It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The Wesley House terrace had been an investment property for 15 years.

It features a Margie Bromilow interior design and garden designed by Jack Merlo.

Period features include high ceilings, open fireplaces and lead-lighting.

The property goes on auction on October 17.

The median price for a home in Prahran is $1,233,500, according to CoreLogic RP Data.

Brindabella Station, the onetime home of author Miles Franklin who wrote My Brilliant Career, has been listed for sale through McGrath Estate Agents Woden.   

The property sits on the ACT and NSW border. More than $1.8 million is expected for the property that failed to sell on 2010 marketing.

It has been listed by vendors Brian and Guillermina Barlin who are selling after three decades plus ownership. They bought it from the late journalist Richard Carleton. 

It comes with restored rendered rammed earth five-bedroom homestead, built in 1900 after the original house burnt down in the 1800s.

The property, on the Goodradigbee River, also has two two-bedroom cottages and a fishing hut.

The property is 66 kilometres from Canberra at 308 Brindabella Valley Road.

Brindabella’s most famous resident Miles Franklin came to the property as a baby in the late 1870s when the farm was 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres).

Investment banker Paul Espie, turned Dungog farmer, and his librarian wife Ros have listed their 1920s Palm Beach weekender, Craboon with $6.5 million plus hopes through LJ Hooker agents David Mackay and David Edwards.

Its listing heralds an end of an era as they've been on Pacific Road since before he founded his advisory company, Pacific Road Capital.

Their stone cottage with Howard Tanner extension was purchased in 2005 for $2.45 million, though the family initially owned elsewhere on Pacific Road in the mid-1980s when Paul and his late father, Sir Frank dabbled in speculative property plays.

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.

RippleVale House, at 4100 Cape Otway Road, Birregurra has been listed for sale.

It is an 1870 landmark Western Districts property set on 75 hectares with Barwon River frontage.

With William Guilfoyle gardens, the six bedroom homestead has a Dutch Italianate influenced grand dining room.

The is also a historic cottage, built in 1865, tennis court, stables, historic shearing shed, storage sheds, plus the gardens and rambling orchid.

Michael Cooney and Maria Nesci at Great Ocean Road Real Estate Lorne have the offering with $4 million plus hopes.

It last traded at $3.1 million in 2007 when bought by Sara Cashman, who is passionate about farm gate pure produce and artisan butchering.

The house was built in 1870 for Charles Sladen, who was premier of Victoria for just 67 days.

It was designed with weekend shooting parties in mind - hence the ballroom, dining hall, wine cellar, pantry, maids' quarters, stables and cool store.

Tessellated tiles and stained-glass windows grace many rooms along with sandstone and Italian marble fireplaces.

The ceilings are lofty and windows are large in the 650 square metre home.

Many of the renovations were undertaken during the ownership of the retired grazier/hotelier Stewart Gray.

Birregurra, which became Victoria's first plastic-bag free town in October 2004, is 15 minutes from Colac.

Markdale, the NSW country farm with unrivalled pioneering polo history, has been listed for sale by the Ashton family.

It's a 1920s house with extensions by Professor Leslie Wilkinson set in an Edna Walling-designed garden.

Surviving the many droughts of the Crookwell district, the 2550-hectare Binda farm has been held by three generations of Ashtons, most recently by company director Geoff Ashton and high society interior decorator wife, Mary.

Silver birch, oaks and golden elms frame the hillside seven bedroom homestead, which is topped off with its polo-player weathervane symbolising the family's association with the sport.

James Ashton, one of the family who put Australia on the world polo map, bought the original holding, followed by his son, Geoff snr.

In 1984, Geoff jnr took over the Southern Tablelands property that derives wool production and guesthouse income from its two original stone cottages and the shearers quarters.

It is tipped to fetch more than $7 million through Richard Royle at Colliers International.

Markdale's garden is acknowledged as one of the great country gardens of Australia, rejuvenated in recent years, featuring include a wisteria and rose pergola, several sculptures and lake with its Chinese bridge.

Only once, at Markdale, did the two Australian icons combine their talents, Professor Wilkinson extensions and gardens by Edna Walling

The guestbook shows just how generously the Ashtons have entertained their family and friends there since 1921.

Geoff and Mary have thought about selling it on and off for almost the past two decades, and would love for a buyer to emerge who has a passion for the property, set about two and a half hours drive from Sydney.

James Ashton started as the copy boy on the Hay newspaper before owning it, and in business become chairman of MLC and The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney.

He had four sons Jim, Robert, Geoff and Phil, who began playing polo against his wishes, but persuaded by his wife ‘that those who play together, stay together’ he let them continue.

In the 1930’s, the brothers shipped their horses to England, the United States and India to compete against top international teams, winning numerous tournaments, including England’s Hurlingham Championship and the Indian Empire Shield, and an invincible team in Australia retiring unbeaten in 1938.

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.

The entreprenuerial Double Bay dental innovator David Penn and his wife, Linda, secured $4.825 million when they finally sold their Whale Beach oceanfront retreat, just a few days shy of a year on the market.

More than $6 million was initially expected by the couple who have purchased next door where there they have plans for another renovation.

The cliff-top property, designed by architect Joe Rooz, was bought by Emma and Garren Cronin, former Lazard managing director now heading up Cadence (90) Investments. 

The house of steel, glass and sandstone sits amid Richard Unsworth-designed gardens.

It sold through Glenn Lee at Raine & Horne.

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 

The Griffin House at Castlecrag, designed by architect Alex Popov, has been listed by the Cooper family.

Inspired by Castlecrag designer Walter Burley Griffin, the 8a Rockley Street house won the 1990 Wilkinson and Robin Boyd architecture awards.

Behind double copper front doors are the living areas, with a bird's-eye maple kitchen, a columned dining area and master bedroom with walk-in dressing room and ensuite. 

There are views over Sailors Bay.  

Mark O'Brien of Richardson & Wrench expects $5 million plus for the property he last sold in 2002 at $3.5 million. Griffin was first traded when bought by art director Karl Von Busse from US-based television commercial producer Peter Cherry in 1993 for $962,500. 

The model suburb Castlecrag was developed during the 1920s by Chicago-born Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin.

One of Richmond’s largest residential properties, Araluen, at 207 Lennox Street, has been sold for $5.13 million.

Araluen last sold in 1958 when bought by the Ballerini family. The five bedroom 1856 home had been listed through Abercromby's agents Jock Langley and Hugh Hardy. 

It is one of Richmond’s earliest homes sitting on a substantial 1478 square metres on the corner of Goodwood Street, about a kilometre from the CBD.

Title Tattle gleans it has been bought by Scott and Julia McKay, descendants of the industrialist inventor of the Sunshine Harvester.

The comedic radio broadcaster Hamish Blake and wife Zoe Foster Blake, the author wife, had held the previous record $4.25 million in Richmond for a home (below) featured on Grand Designs Australia in 2013. 

The three-bedroom, four-bathroom Richmond house was designed by neilarchitecture for Darren and Ruth Rogers.

They built the home on a block bought in 2009 for $920,000 with the works cost estimated at $3.3 million.

Apollonia, the historic Bowral retreat of former the Westpac chief executive Frank Conroy and his wife Jan, has been sold.

They plan to spend more time at their Bendalong beach house following the sale through Belle Property Bowral agent Di Dixon who was seeking around $3.5 million.

The 1890 home takes its name Apollonia after the patron saint of dentistry given its long earlier ownership by the local dentist.

The charming Merrigang Street home was built circa 1890 for Julia Welford as a guest house to her residence next door, but is better known locally as the long-time home of dentist Douglas Hedberg until 1954.

It was Robert Uliana who undertook its substantial renovation along with adding its two-bedroom guest house and indoor, heated lap pool.

Last traded in 2005 for $2.95 million, Apollonia, is a charming timber Bowral residence on 2600 square metres in Merrigang Street.

It is tipped to have sold to an Elizabeth Bay buyer.

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.

The Toorak property, 16 St Georges Road, one of Melbourne’s most significant homes, has been demolished after being sold through Kay & Burton in 2013.

Idylwilde, the historic 1913 Edwardian villa with art nouveau influences, aka Ulva, was bulldozed by the Chinese tycoon Wang Hua, from the Jeshing Group and his wife, Xiao "Kylie" Yan Bao who bought for $18.58 million from LU Simon boss Peter Devitt with intentions to demolish.

It sits on just about an acre, the home of LU Simon building company director Peter Devitt and his wife Jo and their family for the 16 years.

It was marketed internationally via a short film produced by Golden Eye Media. 

The St Georges Road property is a 4257 square metre block with what was a highly regarded art nouveau villa. 

Click to enlarge

The mainland Chinese buyer flew into Melbourne on their private jet to put the signature on the sales contract.

Rothesay, the elegant Malvern home, sold at weekend Marshall White auction for $5,105,000.

The Thanet Street offering came with $4 million plus hopes during its marketing for its vendor, Goldman Sachs managing director Matthew McNee and wife, Michaela.

The architect designed renovation sits with Paul Bangay designed gardens.

It has high ornate ceilings and wide oak floors.

There is a children's wing that comprises two fitted double bedrooms, limestone bathroom and a spacious separate living room opening to the garden.

The private garden comes with self-cleaning heated pool on its 836sqm block.

James Buyer Advocates noted there were two bidders.

The REIV reported the weekend's top sale was a two house compound offering at 2-4 Mangarra Road, Canterbury which fetched $5,515,000.

About $9 million - and a suburb record - is being sought for billioniare entreprenuer Mike Cannon-Brookes' redundant Paddington home.

It is the former 1907 emporium converted into a four-storey, but eight level mansion by Duncan and Lynley Hardie.

Cannon-Brookes, the co-founder of Atlassian, and his fashion-design industry wife, Annie Cannon-Brookes paid $7.3 million for the Hargrave Street landmark in 2010, after it was on the market for two years.

Now with three children, they have relocated to the $12 million Centennial Park Federation trophy home, Braelin.

McGrath agent Ben Collier will be hoping to exceed Paddington's record that remains $7.75 million first set in 2006 for a double terrace on Union Street, and then matched in 2010 when developer Stephen Dunkley sold his contemporary Goodhope Street home.

Duncan and Lynley Hardie, best known for their Sweetwater Wines, Pokolbin, property, made a $4,625,000 purchase in 2003 of the former House of Desks outlet. Its $4 million plus building cost ranked among the dearest of Sydney's non-waterfront private residential projects.

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 

Atherfield, the 1870 Darling Point residence has been listed for sale through Christie's International. 

The five-bedroom Gothic Revival trophy home was first occupied by the Willis family, with an 1880s sketch by James Willis hanging in the Eastbourne Road home. 

With harbour views from its 1150sqm grounds, it was last sold by Di O'Neal, the widow of the late St George Bank chief Ed O'Neal in 2002 to company director Tony Froggart for $6 million. 

Atherfield is just a few doors away from the villa of fund manager Charlie Aitken and wife Ellie who are currently selling through Martin Ross at Black Diamondz Property with $14 million expectations. 

It was 2008 when the couple bought the Mediterranean-style property for $6.95 million from William Penfold, the last of the family members to head the country's oldest stationery company, WC Penfold. 

The Aitken's house, now with Thomas Hamel interiors, sits in gardens deigned by Paul Bangay.

The Froggart's, Tony and Christine, spent $8 million on a Gazebo, Elizabeth Bay whole floor apartment last year.

The five-bedroom Gothic Revival Eastbourne Road property was sold in 2002 when Tony Froggart was heading the UK brewery, Scottish & Newcastle, pubs division. He then served as chief of Heineken UK Limited from May 2003 to November  2007 when he returned to Australia. Froggatt, who holds a Bachelor of Law Degree from Queen Mary College, London and an MBA from Columbia Business School, New York, serves on the boards of Axa Australia and Brambles Ltd. 

It been home to who's who of leading businessmen including David Voss.

Brad Orgill, the former chairman and chief executive of UBS Investment Bank Australia, has spent $5,275,000 in Mosman with partner, Nicole.

He bought well as it last sold in 2007 just before the global financial crisis at $4.3 million.

Orgill, who spends much of his time at Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, has sought NSW Greens Senate preselection because he reckons he could double their electoral vote to 20%.

He is passionate about addressing the inequities of the neo-liberal capitalist system.

The recently renovated five bedroom, four bathroom home with city views sold through McGrath agent Claudia Portale.  

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.

Villa Igiea, best remembered as the long-time Vaucluse home of the late TNT transport tycoon Sir Peter Abeles, is these days Sydney's finest short term rental property.

Stevie Nicks, here for the Fleetwood Mac reunion tour, is the latest to take up residence.

Words must have spread as the magnificent European style villa above Hermit Bay has increasingly become the must-stay Sydney base of visiting international stars.

The imposing mansion had enough space to host Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and their six children when Jolie was here in Australia in 2013 to shoot the World War II drama Unbroken.  

Beyoncé and JayZ have enjoyed the picture perfect postcard views gunbarreling across the harbour to the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Ditto Katie Perry.

Inspired by a grand 1908 villa in Palermo, Sicily, Villa Igiea dates back to the 1920s when built by the retailing Grace family to a design by Neville Hampson, the architect who designed Boomerang at Elizabeth Bay.

Villa Igiea was built in the Riviera Liberty style, featuring strong Italianate art nouveau influences before getting a refreshing update during the McWilliam family’s ownership during the early 2000s and then under the current Burt family ownership a total contemporary refurbishment worthy of a Vogue spread. 

Of course Point Piper's Altona ruled the rental roost until its $52 million sale in 2013 and Barford, the seven-bedroom Georgian style mansion at Bellevue Hill, has been another private estate for celebrity renters.

Bono has rented both Altona and Barford. 

Fleetwood Mac's tour includes two Hope Estate, Hunter Valley concerts, where all five original band members, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVi, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks are back togther after a 16-year absence.

This article was first published by the Sunday Telegraph.