Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate and wife Ruth’s
luxurious Paradise Waters home is up for sale, following their recent move to Bundall.
Cr Tate said the couple decided to move closer to the council’s Evendale headquarters now that his Islander Resort business in Surfers had sold for a reported $26.5 million.
“It is now less important for us to have easy access to Surfers Paradise, and buying our new home in Bundall puts me within walking distance of the council chambers,” he said.
Cr Tate purchased a ’70s-style manor in Bundall’s Sorrento for $3.3 million in October last year. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom property sits on a vast 4424 square metre block with water frontage. It was once owned by the family of former Gold Coast mayor Sir Bruce Small.
“When I married Ruth 35 years ago,” he told Fairfax Media earlier in the year, “I promised that one day we would have a small house … “
Records show the mayor and his wife purchased their Paradise Waters property in 2011 for $2.65 million, a bargain compared with the home’s 2006 sale price of $4.2 million.
Set on a 1206 square metre waterfront corner, the Midshipman Court home comes with large vessel mooring, outdoor entertaining, a resort-style pool and its own beaches.
Two of the home’s five bedrooms come with ensuites and private studies, and the property also has offstreet parking for four cars.
Selling agent Matt Gates, of Ray White Sanctuary Cove, said the property’s main drawcard was its “outstanding position”.
“You get fantastic views of the Main Beach skyline and the Surfers skyline; it’s pretty spectacular,” he said.
Cr Tate said the view was one of his favourite features about the property.
“There’s nothing better than enjoying the outdoor entertaining areas and the view, especially when my boat was moored at the pontoon,” he said. “And there is such easy access to all of the city’s waterways from here.”
The mayor and his wife upgraded the kitchen appliances, and also installed an eight-person spa before deciding it was time to move on.
Cr Tate said the couple were currently giving their new Sorrento home a much larger “facelift”.
“Well, Ruth’s always enjoyed doing things up and she’s refurbing it, putting her own touches throughout the house – that’s the creative part,” he said.
“And it adds value to the house, and you know what they say, happy wife …
“We’re just putting make-up on the old lady, and adding modern touches – the modern spa bath, pool room, sunken lounge.”
The mayor, who has lived all over the Gold Coast with his family, said he planned to stay put in his new home.
“One thing about the Gold Coast – there’s different character in different parts of the city, and each part gives you wonderful experiences and we’re looking forward to the next adventure.”