Scarf textile family lists Vanora in Bellevue Hill for $26.5 million

The Bellevue Hill residence Vanora, owned by businessman David Scarf, of the textile family, has finally made an official appearance on the market carrying a $26.5 million price tag.

The sale campaign through Michael Pallier of Sydney Sotheby’s International looks to be prompted by downsizing plans by Scarf and his wife Vanessa, given an empty nest of six bedrooms and seven bathrooms and only two people to enjoy it.

David Scarf’s Bellevue Hill property could be yours for $26.5 million. Photo: Supplied

On 2000 square metres across Victoria Road from the Packer family’s Cairnton estate, the property last traded in 1988 for $4.3 million.

The whole shebang was rebuilt about 20 years ago as a Mediterranean-inspired residence with a stately entry foyer and a grand marble staircase.

The three-level floor plan has formal and informal living areas, separate study, guest quarters, rumpus room, gym, games room, a lift, a cellar and garaging for 12 cars and is surrounded by landscaped gardens with a lawn tennis court and a swimming pool.

The residence is set on a 2000 square metre parcel on Victoria Road. Photo: Supplied

Downsizing both work and home

Semi-retirement is often followed by a downsize, and so it is with Dr Robert Bell, AM, below, who stepped down from his role as a senior curator at the National Gallery of Australia late last year.

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Records show that Dr Robert Bell has bought a $3,925,000 house in Woollahra. Photo: Melissa Adams

Records show that Bell and his wife, artist and associate professor of architecture Dr Eugenie Bell, have bought a $3,925,000 house in Woollahra set on 400 square metres backing on to Cooper Park, presumably negotiated through D’Leanne Lewis of Laing +Simmons Double Bay.

That’s only presumably because there was no marketing for the latest campaign, but the Bell paper trail reveals the couple recently sold the family’s Vaucluse home after 94 years for $4.5 million through D’Leanne Lewis.

Landmark changes hands again

Records show Louisa Jackson of Langulin negotiated the deal on behalf of vendors Canon Roofing’s Byron Burke and his wife Sabrina, fresh from having negotiated last week’s sale of Phillip Adams’ Paddington residence, the White House.

Jackson sold it last December after shopping it around with a $5 million-plus guide, and did a quick deal on it this time around. 

Life’s a beach at glamarama

The Tamarama house of Bronte Surf Club president Basil Scaffidi is for sale. Photo: Supplied​

The Tamarama home of sports and entertainment manager Basil Scaffidi  and his wife Catherine scored such a warm welcome at its first open, that the property was sold as Title Deeds went to print.

Scaffidi is best known as Bronte Surf Club president, but co-founded Sports and Entertainment Limited with James Erskine, Tony Cochrane and the late David Coe, scoring a Tony Award in 2003 for producing the musical Hairspray.

Basil Scaffidi is best known locally as Bronte Surf Club president. Photo: James Alcock ​

Records show the Scaffidi family bought the property overlooking the beach in 2005 for $3,625,000, with a Walter Barda-designed rebuild in 2012. Alexander Phillips and David Tyrrell of Phillips Pantzer Donnelley had a guide of $10.5 million to $11.5 million, but declined to reveal the sale price or confirm rumours it set a suburb record.

Pricefinder was more forthcoming, revealing result of $11.2 million that will only be confirmed by settlement, but which at that level tops the $11 million high of 2008 set by Built chairman Marco Rossi and his partner Stephanie Stokes when they bought by the beach. That house has since been demolished and the land is listed with $15 million hopes. 

Willoughby makes a record sale

The sale of Stefan Gillard and Katherine Edgar’s house has set a Willoughby record of $5.15 million. Photo: Supplied

A pre-auction offer for the Willoughby East home of Stefan Gillard, founder of big data firm EngineRoom, and his wife, Synergy group founder Katherine Edgar, has set a suburb record at $5.15 million.

The sale through Belle Northbridge’s David Forrester tops the Willoughby high of $4,225,000 two years ago for the house next door when it was sold by AMP company secretary David Cullen who was upgrading to his $6.65 million Mosman home.

Seasonal hopes in Palm Beach

Pongrass Properties boss Nicholas Pongrass has listed his beachfront Palm Beach weekender.​

As spring makes like summer, the Palm Beach market has made a nicely timed roll-out of stock.

Leading is the beachfront weekender of Nick Pongrass, who heads Pongrass Properties, and his wife Leigh, with hopes of $5 million.

It was a bullish purchase by the couple in 2006 when it was bought for $4,278,000 from former finance executive John Mills and Greg Clark after an impressive renovation that featured in Belle Magazine.

Pongrass hopes to sell the property for $5 million.​ Photo: Supplied

At the time, stiff competition for the property left Doris Weiss empty-handed after she and her husband, fashion industry legend Peter Weiss, failed to match the Pongrass offer.

The Pongrass family, who are based at the Double Bay waterfront they bought from Rich Listers Bill and Imelda Roche 20 years ago for $3.6 million, have handed the listing to Michael King of LJ Hooker Palm Beach.  

Parker classic at the beach

Jenny and Ross Parker are selling their Palm Beach property after holding it for 33 years. Photo: Supplied

Joining the Palm Beach sellers set for the first time in 33 years are Jenny and Ross Parker of the iconic Parker Furniture.

The Pacific Road property was purchased for $320,000 in 1984, with alterations soon after by Susan Rothwell.

Now a favourite of modernist devotees, Parker Furniture was founded in 1933 by Jack Parker and the reins handed to sons Ross and Tony in 1961 before it was sold in the mid-1990s.

David Edwards of LJ Hooker Palm Beach is asking $3,350,000 to $3,575,000.

Stone cottage up for grabs

Jean-Paul Bell, pictured here with Eileen Kramer at the 100 Women of Influence Awards 2016. Photo: Lucas Jarvis

Clown doctor Jean-Paul Bell, who co-founded the Humour Foundation with Dr Peter Spitzer 20 years ago, completes the Palmy trifecta of listings.

The Surf Road property includes two houses: a five-bedroom residence and a 1947 stone cottage, which was only discovered by Bell when he built the main house in 1992.

It’s another David Edwards offering, with a $2.25 million to $2.5 million guide. 

Bargain buy in Mosman

Singapore-based investment banker Alberto Migliucci looks like he might be planning to spend more time in Sydney given he’s just bought a $4.7 million house in Mosman.

The Raglan Street property was formerly owned by lawyer Donald Robertson and his wife Jane, who copped a loss on the five-bedroom home since they bought it in 2006 for $4.95 million from leading cardiologist Charles Thorburn.