An 1880s Darlinghurst manor has listed with $10 million hopes has been sold.

Reworked in 2010 by Alex Smith of CSA Architects, the home at 87 Barcom Avenue, was quickly snapped up three weeks into its marketing.

Built in 1882, the grand family home of the McGrath family has been featured in the pages of Belle and Mansion Australia magazines, and on Yellowtrace design blog.

It is set on an elevated 592 sqm block with 14m street frontage.

Inside there are soaring four metre ceilings.

The home has five bedrooms plus a study with interiors by Arent & Pyke, the duo Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke.

Arent & Pyke developed a strategy to pair lofty and architecturally rich spaces, with heritage detail of ornate cornices and skirting boards, "where texture and refinement contrast and enrich the whole."

There's an entertainer's billiard and rumpus room with 1200 bottle wine cellar.

George Cleary at BradfieldCleary described it as "the ultimate urban sanctuary."

The restored grand Barcom Terrace had been converted to a boarding house in 1958 and then further converted to six self contained flats in 1983.

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.

The Gold Coast conveyed to the world its modernity during the recent Commonwealth Games, but traces of the old days are still found periodically in property offerings.

There's an intact 1978 Ron McMaster-designed apartment on Main Beach listed for sale.

It is dubbed penthouse on the ground floor, with then McMaster's business partner's wife having a fear of living up high so McMaster and Ernest (Ernie) Suares designed a penthouse sized ground floor apartment.

Spanning over 460 square metres across two levels, the apartment in the Yachting Towers complex has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a Swedish sauna.

A rumpus room and a separate wet bar overlooks the private back garden with swimming pool, spa and cabana.

McMaster was known as the king of highrise.

The pool was a popular place for the Gold Coast's most notable residents some five decades ago.

Peter McManus Real Estate agent Peter McManus is asking $1.25 million. 

This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian. 

The Newport waterfront market has welcomed its first big money listing of 2018 with Watermark, a luxury Crescent Road trophy home sold by the Toohey family.

The offering, that has been completely transformed by its owner with the help of interior designer Hare & Klein, had $5 million expectations through McGrath Avalon agents James Baker.

From its its elevated position, the four bedroom home features a lounge on both levels which look out over Pittwater.

Watermark's gardens have featured in design publications as well as featuring on the TV show Garden Gurus.

The 590 square metre established gardens landscaped by local architect Landart come with vergola covered terraces.

There's designer lighting from Gardens by the Night around its Italian mosaic-tiled pool. 

Down by the water there's a self-contained boathouse with loft accomodation. There's berthing for a 65 foot watercraft.

Chellow Dene, the historic eclectic home in Melbourne's Black Rock, has been listed for sale.

It was one of the speculative-built villas of notable architect, and late 1950s Melbourne Lord Mayor, Brigadier Sir Bernard Evans.

Evans was the youngest battalion commander in the AIF when sent to the Middle East, in the defence of Tobruk in 1941, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

The home comes with a leadlight panel of the architect's Manchester village.

Set on a 645 square metre Middleton Street parcel, Chellow Dene has six bedrooms and three bathrooms.

The listing through Branon Real Estate agent Cam Saba comes with permits for two three level, four bedroom homes designed by architect Peter Wright.

This article first appeared in The Weekend Australia. 

The residential Blue Mountain price record has been untouched for a decade, but that's set to change with the listing of Karoola, the 2008 Wilkinson Award-winning home in Leura.

The striking home incorporates the existing 1900s cottage in its James Stockwell-design. 

It has a price guide of $5 million through Belle Property Leura agent Matt Grima.

It was designed for former Federal Court Judge Murray Wilcox and his wife Christine to accommodate their big family – their children, grandchildren along with friends.

Inspired by the geology and landscape of the Blue Mountains, Karoola was constructed with rammed earth, crushed sandstone, blackbutt and hoop pine timbers.

The sustainable single storey main residence was built on its 5,900 square metre Malvern Road holding.

The main home has five bedrooms, each with garden and bushland views. There's granite bathrooms with Japanese inspired bathtubs.

As well as an opening verandah roof, the home was created in a solar passive design, where windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject heat in the summer.

There's also a multi-purpose garden studio for painting and music.

The house design uses a Japanese method called discontinuous unity - developed in the 1940's by architects Yoshuzaki and Sakazura - for the incomplete separation of living spaces from one another.

The home was constructed by master builder Gerald Verhoeven, with Professor Max Irvine engineering its verandah roofing. Craig Burton's landscape design saw zoning for endemic and exotic plantings. 

The Blue Mountains price record was set in 2008 when Carramar, a 1900s weatherboard at Wentworth Falls, sold for $3.3 million.

Only four homes in the Blue Mountains region sold for over $2 million last year, although that's well up on the one sold in 2016.

This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian. 

Melbourne architect Jessica Liew is selling her innovative Armadale home that she built. 

Liew, a director at Plus Architecture, paid $762,000 for the 370 square metre property in 2010 with her husband Cavan.

Built with timber slatted walls and vast expanses of glass, the Valentine Grove property has dark grey polished concrete floors.

There's three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a library overlooking a tranquil central fish pond and a temperature controlled 1,200 bottle wine room.

A walled north east garden is lined by blackboard style walls, complete with a commissioned mural.

The home has been regularly featured in magazines.

Marshall White agents Fraser Cahill and Madeline Kennedy have a May 12 auction, with a guide of between $2.5 million and $2.75 million.

The couple, now with a young child, are looking for their next project.

This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian. 

Positioned 350 mETRE from the banks of the Brisbane River in Hawthorne, a three storey house has been listed for sale.

It was listed by Emil Juresic and Kelly Tickle from NGU Realestate-Toowong.

Located at 91 Elliott Street, the 508 square metre residence features successful design including floor-to-ceiling doors and windows, a floating staircase, bespoke lighting and a smooth outdoor/indoor connection.

The central space consists of entertaining areas, fireplace and well-equipped kitchen.

The upper levels come with five bedrooms, formal lounge/media room, second lounge/teenager's room, and large study.

The outdoor entertaining areas feature the lap pool, spa. landscape garden and custom-built pavilion.

It is close to Hawthorne Ferry Terminal, Hawthorne Park and schools.

Harvey Norman boss Katie Page has sold Akita, her popular longtime Byron Bay holiday rental investment, set on the sands of Tallow Beach, for around $2.6 million.

Page, one of the longest CEO's having taken the helm of the retail giant in 1999, bought the Suffolk Park home in 2006.

The Balinese inspired beachfront has three bedroom.

It sits privately behind 100-year-old Vietnamese entry gates to the hand carved Balinese front door.

A self-contained, one bedroom rustic cottage called Bamboo Beach Shack sits in the Zen like gardens and is moments from the beach.

First National Byron Bay agents Su Reynolds and Helene Adams sold the Alcorn Street home.

This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph.

A parkside Toorak home created by the late architect Wayne Gillespie has been sold after having been listed last month with $7.5 million to $8.2 million hopes.

These price expectations were increased midway through the marketing by Kay & Burton South Yarra agents Emma Bloom and Ross Savas, who were initially seeking a price between $7 million and $7.7 million.

The median house price in Toorak is $4.6 million.

The home was listed by architectural lighting designer Nicci Green and her partner, Icon Construction director Ashley Murdoch, who paid $5 million in 2010.

It had previously been in the Hickey family since its 1981 construction by Gillespie whose career spanned thirty years to 2001 to became one of Melbourne's best known and respected residential architects.

Gillespie's early design stamp still features prominently throughout the property, from the vast size areas to the placement of the windows, glass capped ceilings, functionality and indoor-outdoor living. 

The lower level is staged around a gallery inspired foyer, with the principal north-facing living and dining rooms complete with walls of glass that open to poolside terraces paved in bluestone.

A food preparation area at the back of the house is supported by a lower-level catering room and glass fronted cellar.

There are Yarra River views From the upper level balcony, which links to four of the six bedrooms. 

The 575 square metre home wrapped in a north-facing garden designed by Myles Baldwin sits near the end of the tightly held Winifred Crescent.

This article first appeared in The Weekend Australian. 

Designed by Ardensiena utilising the latest in textured materials, a Brighton East home is whispered to have fetched $4.5 million post auction.

The 43 Plantation Avenue offering was passed in at $4,357,000.

The price guidance from Hocking Stuart agent Peter Kennett had been $4.25 million to $4,675,000, describing it as an "avant-garde masterpiece."

Completed 15 months ago by the Brighton firm ArdenSiena, the two-storey house is with the precinct between Hampton Street and Brighton Public Golf Course.

The concrete facade towers above a pond crossed by slab-like stepping stones.

Around the side, a courtyard offers a rainforest view from the double-glazed stairwell, which shelters an indoor clivea garden.

The interiors often feature oak, porcelain, Caesarstone, cedar along with turquoise cabinetry.

Automation technology waters the garden.

There's whispers the Elsternwick-based Kogan founder Ruslan Kogan has paid a record $38.8 million Toorak house price.

The Herald Sun reported the sale occurred at a private off-market auction last Thursday night.

Three parties were involved in the auction, with Kogan.com founder and chief executive Ruslan Kogan taking the keys to the three block, 2,600 sqm property.

Marshall White agents Marcus Chiminello and Richard Mackinnon reportedly secured the sale, but declined to comment.

The reputed off market $38.8 million price doesn't make the cut as the Melbourne record as that was likely secured with the yet to settle $52.5 million sale by art dealer Rod Menzies for his mansion Stonington in Malvern.

The seller of the French-inspired sandstone mansion was telecommunications investor Philip Cornish.

The Toorak record stood at $38 million for 18 St Georges Road.

The AFR reported the latest record price did not meet the initial off market $45 million asking price. 

A 15th-level, three-bedroom South Yarra apartment in the Robin Boyd designed Domain Park, largely in original condition, went to weekend auction.

It had a price guidance of $2 million to $2.2 million.

There was a $2.3 million opening bid.

It was auctioned by Marshall White auctioneer John Bongiorno who immediately declared the property on the market.

Three bidders then pushed the north-facing apartment, with protected views over the Royal Botanic Gardens and the city, to its $2.91 million sale price.

The 15th-level, three-bedroom apartment came with two car spaces at 15.1/193 Domain Road.

There's whispers the Elsternwick-based Kogan founder Ruslan Kogan has paid a record $38.8 million Toorak house price.

The Herald Sun reported the sale occurred at a private off-market auction last Thursday night.

Three parties were involved in the auction, with Kogan.com founder and chief executive Ruslan Kogan taking the keys to the three block, 2,600 sqm property.

Marshall White agents Marcus Chiminello and Richard Mackinnon reportedly secured the sale, but declined to comment.

The reputed off market $38.8 million price doesn't make the cut as the Melbourne record as that was likely secured with the yet to settle $52.5 million sale by art dealer Rod Menzies for his mansion Stonington in Malvern.

The seller of the French-inspired sandstone mansion was telecommunications investor Philip Cornish.

The Toorak record stood at $38 million for 18 St Georges Road.

The AFR reported the latest record price did not meet the initial off market $45 million asking price. 

A Mosman waterfront trophy home listed between $17.5 million and $18.5 million has sold after being on the market for a fortnight. 

John Blewitt, one of the pioneers of the financial planning industry, and his wife Rana secured the sale of one the few waterfront reserve homes in Beauty Point.

Complete with tennis court and pool on its 1600 square metre holding, the distinctive 835 square metre residence was built in 1997 when designed by architect Mike Alexander. 

Its three wings branch off a circular entry foyer that makes the most of the views from its position on the promontory. 

The Bay Street last traded in 2010 for $11 million when sold by from Julie Pash, widow of Sydney Turf Club chairman and Swans director Graeme Pash.

A Sandy Bay five bedroom architecturally designed house with views of the River Derwent has been recently sold for $3 million.

Situated at 30 Nicholas Drive, the Tasmanian home was sold by Abi Freeman from Charlotte Peterswald For Property.

The lower level features open plan living area comprising living space, dining area, and kitchen with Miele appliances.

Beyond the open plan living room, there is a study, bathroom, spacious family room that opens onto outdoor entertaining area.

It comes with master suite with water views, three double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, wine cellar and double garage.

Additional features include Sonos home entertainment system, CCTV, double glazing and rainwater tanks for watering the garden.

It was last trade for $550,000 in 2011.

Just near North Cottesloe beach, a Cottesloe three bedroom house with ocean views has been relisted for sale.

It is offered through Justin Wallace from Wallace Real Estate, who had thought it had been sold in January.

It as first listed in 2016 seeking offers in the mid $3 millions.

"Just a stone's throw to the North Cottesloe Surf Club, surrounded by restaurants and pubs and with the Eric Street Shopping Centre around the corner, this home truly captures the essence of beachfront living," said Justin Wallace.

Situated at 1/154 Marine Parade, Cottesloe, the Western Australian home comes with three bedrooms, open plan kitchen and living, and north facing alfresco.

With floor to ceiling glass bi-fold doors surrounding the open plan kitchen, dining and living areas, the views can be enjoyed all day long. 

Extra features include the plunge pool, reverse cycle air conditions, and double block electric blinds.

The early 1980s offering last traded in 2007 at $2.5 million.

It is in a tightly held triplex.

A new-build house at 88 Park Road, Hunters Hill without water views sold at auction last weekend at $5.8 million.

The five-bedroom property attracted pre-registrations from five families after over 150 groups came through during the campaign.

Three of them made bids, pushing the result $700,000 up on the $5.1 million reserve.

It was marketed by McGrath with a $4.6 million price guide.

The 700 square metre block sold at $2.3 million in early 2017. 

Mosman has reportedly secured a $10 million-plus sale of a four-bedroom harbour front apartment.

The 1/2e Mosman Street, Mosman Bay sale price was not disclosed, but it reportedly topped the $8.4 million paid in 2015 for apartment 3, two levels above.

It was however confirmed as a new record for the lower north shore suburb secured by the Quill family.

They paid $6.7 million when the Allen Jack + Cottier-designed building, Watermarque was developed in 2008 by Rodney Hills and Hugo van Krestchmar. The developer duo demolished two brown brick apartment buildings holding eight apartments.

Fairfax Media reported a local downsizing couple purchased the apartment through Belle Property.

A 1972 Woolwich home designed by architect Philip Cox has been sold at $3.25 million.

The design was marketed as showcasing trendy character and flexible interiors when listed with $3.4 million hopes.

Its light filled arrangement including multiple skylights, along with polished timber floors and a working wood fireplace in the heart of Woolwich.

The 14 Gale Street offering was listed through Ward Partners.

It previously sold at $1.49 million in 2009 and $695,000 in 1994.

The Modernish Australia website suggested it "expresses an almost rural-flavoured simplicity".

A Kew home, built in 2016 with the dream mancave by Anderson Homes boss Laurie Anderson, was snapped up before its scheduled weekend auction.

It was the 2017 Master Builders Association Victoriar runner-up for home of the year which left the judges, like the buyers, impressed by the home’s hydraulic raised driveway.

The Hillcrest Avenue driveway led to the basement in the home that cost $4 million to build after its design by Anderson Home in conjunction with Stephan Kosa Architects.

The vast basement came with golf driving range, bar with beer on tap, wine cellar, plus workshop complete with car turntable and its automotive driveway ramp.

There was even light through a window view through to the pool.

There's a lift to upstairs in the four bedroom, four bathroom home that sat on a 740 sqm block which cost $1.98 million in 2014.

No sale price has emerged from the mid-week auction, but Kay & Burton agent Scott Patterson and Fletchers’ Jeremy Desmier, had initially advised to expect to pay between $6.2 million to $6.8 million.

There's speculation closer to $7 million was achieved, which would rank as the top result for weekend listings.