While some still pretend Byron Bay is a sleepy coastal town where bohemians gather to pass the peace pipe, its housing prices suggest otherwise. The far northern NSW enclave has become one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, with celebrities and other elites calling its stunning landscape home. However, a brand new beachfront property is reportedly set to smash the affluent area’s AUD$37 million home record.
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The home in question is just a five-minute drive from the bustling township, nestled along the coveted Belongil strip. Developed by Sydney property developer Shane Smollen, the 70-metre-deep block is anticipated to surpass the current record set by Range Farmhouse in Coopers Shoot, potentially reaching a whopping AUD$40 million (per The Australian). Notably, Range Farmhouse was recently sold by Tom and Emma Lane of the Oroton fashion empire.
In 2019, Smollen, a director of developer Central Element, acquired the half-acre site on Border St, Belongil from the late showman John Cornell. Initially intending to construct his forever home, plans shifted as he opted to establish a base on the Gold Coast to accommodate his daughter’s schooling. Now complete and listed for sale, real estate enthusiasts can finally get a glimpse into this breathtaking sanctuary.
Taking three years to build, the beach house has been designed in a U-shape with its roof deck offering gun-barrel views of Julian Rocks Cape Byron and the bay. Situated next to chef Shannon Bennett’s iconic restaurant Belongil house and with a 30-metre plus beach frontage, the house was constructed from three types of stone including Italian Fondovalle porcelain wall tiles, slabs of Italian travertine flooring and blackbutt timbers.
Inside the five-bedroom private compound lies every amenity conceivable for the baller beach bum. Among these luxurious offerings is a state-of-the-art kitchen boasting a Super White Dolomite island bench complete with teppanyaki capabilities, accompanied by a comprehensive suite of high-end Wolf, Sub Zero, and Bora appliances.
The residence further flaunts a media room equipped with a cinema projector, a sun-soaked glass-wrapped ocean-view sunroom, and a gym. Outside, an 8.2 metre x 4.4 metre heated magnesium pool and spa awaits, catering to gatherings of up to eight individuals. The living room is enclosed by fully stackable glass sliding doors incorporating a concealed area and retractable fly screens, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces.
The master wing presents a dressing room featuring a dehumidifier, alongside a marble ensuite with heated floors. Additionally, a remarkable in-house dry cleaner valued at AUD$32,000, known as the V-Zug Refresh Butler, stands ready to clean the new owner’s – presumably designer – clothing.
When speaking to The Australian, Mr Smollen described the house as strong, robust and minimalist in style. “There’s a lot of finesse in this house, anybody that understands design and construction or has a very good eye for detail will be able to look into the property’s finishes … and see its monumental style,” he said.
The listing is currently held by Nick Dunn of McGrath Estate Agents Byron Bay and Ed Silk Byron Bay. Check out all the images above.
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