A waterfront mansion which stood empty for 20 years has sold for $6.7m.
The sprawling Hope Island property was kept in immaculate condition by its local builder, who maintained the grandiose home for an overseas owner, who barely stepped foot inside.
The three-storey house at 2319-2320 Cressbrook Drive was marketed by Warren and Wendy Hickey, of Hope Island Realty.
Mr Hickey said he had never met the US-based owner, who had finally decided to part with the extravagant holiday home he had owned since it was built in 2004.
Set over a 1,900 sqm lot in the exclusive northern Gold Coast estate, the five-bedroom, six-bathroom house was an early example of the work of local architect Jared Poole, known for his sleek contemporary designs.
“From the start, everything about this house was great quality and because it is of a more traditional style, the design is quite timeless,” Mr Hickey said.
“The house had hardly been lived in, and as it had been maintained throughout the years it was kind of encapsulated in its original state.
“It just didn’t really age. Apart from perhaps the colours and some of the technology and the lighting, the rest of the property was beautifully presented as it would have been the day it was finished.”
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom house is set amid landscaped gardens, with a grand entry foyer leading onto expansive living areas under soaring ceilings.
A resort-style al fresco area comprises covered entertaining terraces, a large pool and spa with fountain.
Other features include a formal dining room, home cinema, upstairs master retreat with dressing room and private balcony, a 22m pontoon fit for berthing a superyacht, and an 8-car basement garage with a turntable.
Mr Hickey said the buyers were a family who planned to migrate from China and saw great value in the rare large block size.
“The buyers inspected the property in person twice, and were impressed by the fact it is on a double block. Technically, you could do a slight amendment to the existing house and end up with a vacant block next door,” he said.
The property is approved by the Foreign Investment Review Board, “making it an excellent opportunity for overseas investors looking for a luxury waterfront home in Australia”, the listing stated.
PropTrack data shows house prices in Hope Island were up 5.3 per cent over the past 12 months, to a median of $1.58m.
Article source: www.news.com.au