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Writer's pictureJon Ruwolt

1918-era 'mansion' "Warwick"

Updated: Aug 12, 2019


Jonathan Chancellor has reported in 'Property Observer' and in the 'Weekend Australian' (14 FEBRUARY 2019) the availability of

'Warwick' listed in tightly held Centennial Park


Warwick, 48 Martin Road, Centennial Park, NSW

"Ever since Federation, the vantage points overlooking Centennial park have been a desired location.

"The best views are found on Martin and Lang roads, that directly face the public parklands proclaimed by governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1811."


Jonathan Chancellor goes on to mention that Martin and Lang roads hold 18 of Centennial Park's top 20 house sales.

There have been six Centennial Park homes that have broken through the $10 million barrier, the first in 2006.

He then lists the three top (Federation) homes of Centennial Park:

The Top three houses of (Federation) Centennial Park, NSW

1. Braelin, 44-46 Lang Road Centennial Park


Last year it was the tech-billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and his wife Annie who secured a $16.5 million record for Braelin, set on a 2149 square metre Lang Road parcel which had cost $12 million in 2015.

The single storey 1918-era mansion, which sold to the philanthropic couple, Brian and Gene Sherman through The Agency agent Ben Collier, was designed by architect Donald Esplin for lord mayor of Sydney, Sir Allen Taylor.

The family of the Atlassian co-founder were off to Double Bay with $100 million Fairwater in their sights.

2. Crossways, 50 Martin Rd, Centennial Park


Crossways,  50 Martin Rd, Centennial Park NSW

Historic Crossways, which ranks as one of the finest Federation Arts & Crafts homes in Australia, holds second place.

The art collector Naomi Triguboff Travers bought the 1800 square metre holding on Martin Road for $13 million from the Zavattaros family who paid $10 million in 2006.

It was designed by B.J. Waterhouse of Waterhouse & Lake in 1908 for surgeon Dr Gordon Craig.

Now set in Paul Bangay gardens, the property was renovated in the 1990s by architect Espie Dods for then owners, former McGuigan Wines director James Smiley and his wife, Jane.

3. Murralla, 4 Martin Road, Centennial Park


Murralla, the Martin Road home, holds third place on the property podium. It fetched $12 million in 2015 having been the longtime home of Justice Deirdre O’Connor, the former Australian Industrial Relations Commission president, and barrister Michael Joseph.


The restored Queen Anne mansion was best known as the home of the late celebrity-maker Harry M Miller who paid $220,000 in 1973 and sold in 1979 for $567,000 to the gynaecologist Dr Robert Diamond and his wife, Elaine.

In 1977 Miller hosted Prince Charles for Christmas drinks.

Muralla was the inspiration for the central family home location of the Patrick White book The Eye of the Storm.

Centennial Park's popularity for overseas celebrity visitors saw the legendary Culture Club singer Boy George, on 2017 assignment as judge of The Voice Australia, rent the Leckie's Lactura for somewhere near $7,000 a week.

There are the three current significant trophy homes for sale.

1. Warwick, the modernised Federation which resonates charm, has been listed for sale through Ben Collier. The Martin Road home was once owned by the University of NSW as its residence for its Vice-Chancellor.

2. Walsholme, another parkside home comes with rooftop tower and terrace with wet bar. The Lang Road home with 12-foot pressed metal ceilings has been listed through Ballard Property.


See the post: Rare Appian Way house February 12, 2019

3. Centennial House, modernised by architects Tobias Partners, has been listed for sale through Sothebys. There's been a $2.1 million spend on the Martin Road home since it last traded for $8 million in 2009. With Palladian symmetry, they sought to create a contemporary dwelling that would sit comfortably among its more traditional neighbours.




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