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Sydney penthouse seeks to top $20m
Views across Hyde Park to the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Heads ... the off-the-plan Hyde penthouse on Liverpool Street in Sydney.
THERE is a new challenger for the mantle of Sydney's priciest apartment. Off-the-plan buyers are being sought for the $20 million-plus abode on top of the Liverpool Street block the Hyde.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment is due to be completed in the middle of next year in a 35-storey block designed by the Singapore architecture firm WOHA for the Stockland Group's former headquarters site near the Museum station corner.
The two-storey penthouse's interiors are to be designed by the Sydney firm Archer + Wright. It will have 570 square metres of internal space and 312 square metres of external space, complete with rooftop terrace, including a 15-metre lap pool with views across Hyde Park towards the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the Heads. There will be a gym, steam room, bar, a caterers' scullery with oven and dishwasher and a large lounge area with fireplace.
The recent record-setting sales of two off-the-plan penthouses remain in doubt given that the projects have been mothballed, including the Elizabeth project that also overlooks Hyde Park.
After the intended $20.1 million penthouse buyer was declared bankrupt, the vacant Elizabeth Street site has been offloaded by its joint developers.
Just a $100 deposit had been taken for the three-storey Fifth Avenue-styled penthouse in what was proposed to be a boutique block of seven apartments.
At Potts Point, Ashington's $70 million, 10-unit project in Wylde Street remains dormant. The penthouse had been sold for $20 million in June last year.
The Sydney record stands at $16.8 million for the 12th floor of the Bennelong block overlooking Circular Quay.
The Moran health care family are set to merge their three units into a penthouse after spending $22.4 million for three units over the past three years.
The 577-square-metre super apartment will be designed by the architect Glynn Evans from Allen Jack + Cottier.
The Hyde penthouse has been listed for sale through Ken Jacobs of Christie's Great Estates.
Stockland's residential general manager, Barry Mann, said: "This is a property of international appeal and will attract a purchaser who requires a very sophisticated home.''
Stockland, the nation's largest residential developer, sold 87 units totalling $100 million for apartments on lower floors in one weekend in October 2006.
Prices for the apartments ranged from $3.1 million for a three-bedroom apartment, to $1.6 million for a two-bedroom with study, and to $715,000 for a one-bedroom.
