The country’s top academic couple — University of Melbourne vice-chancellor Glyn Davis and his wife, vice-chancellor at Monash University Margaret Gardner — have sold their
Melbourne CBD apartment. The Bates Smart-designed 35 Spring Street apartment, which cost the couple $3.24 million off the plan in 2014, went to private mid-week auction. There was price guidance of $3.45m-$3.795m, the priciest known resale in the recently completed luxury apartment complex. Abercromby’s agents Jock Langley and Sam Goddard have not revealed the price secured for the 34th-floor, three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that came with two terraces with views that span to the Dandenong Ranges. There are 240 apartments in the park-front 43-level residential tower developed by Cbus. Off-the-plan buyers included businessman John Finning and wife Milka, who spent $5.6m.
Longhursts offload beach property
Queensland’s Longhurst family have sold their luxury Airlie Beach holding for $7.5m. It’s been bought by wealthy Queensland mining entrepreneur Paul Darrouzet, who owns the Airlie Beach Abell Point Marina next door. Its recent sale was through Sophie Carter at Sophie Carter Exclusive Properties. Patriarch John Longhurst, the Gold Coast property developer who co-founded Dreamworld, fancied the site when he oversaw its purchase in 2006. His son, Australian racing driver Tony, who recently unveiled his new 19-metre luxury catamaran, oversaw the latest sale. Designed by Peter Connelly Architects, the 2009 designer home was operated by the Longhurst family trust as a boutique rental in recent times. It offers views of the water from almost every room across two levels. It has five bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a formal dining room with cocktail bar. The centrepiece of the home is the 20m wet edge swimming pool.
Pollies lured south
They already have $350m or so tied up in mainland property. Now politicians are finding the lure of Tasmania’s cheap property prices. Politician Ann Sudmalis, the Liberal member representing Gilmore, on the NSW South Coast, has bought an investment property in the small Huon Valley riverside township of Franklin. The apartment cost $280,000, having been for sale for a year at $298,000. The tenancy has been offered this month as a $300-a-week rental. The median house price in Franklin sits at $365,000. Sudmalis has represented the Gilmore electorate since being elected in 2013.
Test star lists cottage
Cricket Australia board member Michael Kasprowicz is selling his long-held 1900s Petrie Terrace investment property in Brisbane’s inner west. Kasprowicz, who has renovated the two-level home during his 17-year ownership, paid $280,000 for the traditionally crafted cottage in 2000. Space Property Agents Nicole Devine has the listing. Kaprowicz and wife Lindsay are Hendra-based. Kasprowicz, who made 38 Test appearances for Australia before his 2008 retirement, is Queensland’s all-time leading wicket taker with 500-plus wickets.
He has been on the board at Cricket Australia since 2011.
Jonathan.Chancellor@news.com.au
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