Assyrian program: 3 June 2025
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Hugh Jackman-linked health retreat listed as first guests arrive
The founder of a famed eco resort, co-owned by Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman, has listed his newest venture for sale before the first guests even arrive. Three years in the making, EcoView Retreat was developed over a 28.06ha rainforest parcel next to Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Tallebudgera Valley. Sydney-based entrepreneur Tony de Leede is behind both properties, and shared ownership of the celebrity-favourite Gwinganna with Deadpool & Wolverine star Jackman, his ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness, and entertainment guru Paul Dainty. Jackman, whose bitter recent split from Furness made headlines, shared highlights from his 2024 stay at Gwinganna on social media. He EcoView Retreat is wholly owned by Mr De Leede, who also founded the Fitness First gym franchise. He described the newest venture as a 'mind-blowing' addition to his Hinterland offerings. The $9m project at 660 Trees Rd is for sale through an expressions of interest campaign with Kollosche Commercial agents Adam and Tony Grbcic. Adam Grbcic said the facility accommodated 30 guests over 15 luxury villas, offering an estimated annual revenue of $2m. It would be sold with forward bookings and an option to retain the current on-site manager. The first group of guests were scheduled to arrive within days for a corporate event. Rates started at $6,7000 per day to hire the entire retreat. Developers warned to boost project starts Motocross mansion named Australia's hottest home Mr De Leede said EcoView was modelled on a 'host your own' or self-hire concept for corporate events and private groups, unlike the award-winning Gwinganna, which catered to cashed-up individual guests. He said he was selling in order to 'practice what I preach' — spend more time relaxing — given he owns multiple other assets including Komune in Bali. 'I am thrilled after three years of planning and construction, to finally unveil this amazing venture,' said Mr De Leede. 'I am equally excited to be simultaneously bringing it to market, opening up the opportunity for a savvy investor to own and expand on this incredibly unique and highly profitable business concept and commercial offering. 'With Nature-Based Tourism zoning approved for wellness and retreat activities and operations, the versatility and flexibility of EcoView means its potential is bound only by the imagination.' Potential uses included boutique weddings, corporate retreats, medical health or rehabilitation recovery clinics, private family gatherings, or even silent discos. Mr Grbcic said EcoView would suit an Australian investor seeking a 'hands-off' asset, given the low-maintenance business model requiring only one full-time staffer. 'Everything required to operate this as a successful and profitable business has already been carefully considered and tested. Every detail, down to the crockery in the kitchen, is ready and in place,' he said. 'Having said that, extensive potential remains, not only within the existing space, but on the wider property to expand on what are already promising income returns.' Offering complete privacy and magical views of the valley and coastline, the retreat tapped into an evolving global trend for more sustainable nature-based and wellness experiences. Alongside the twin-share villas, the property includes a main building with a reception area, commercial-grade kitchen, shared living and dining spaces and five multipurpose rooms, as well as a manager's residence. Additional facilities include a yoga room or conference space, gym with three infra-red saunas, hydrotherapy pools and outdoor leisure spaces. Property records show Mr De Leede acquired the parcel for $1.975m in 2005. Gwinganna was also listed for sale in 2022, but failed to secure a buyer. Mr De Leede said he remained open to selling the larger asset. Expressions of interest close on July 3.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Sydney's ‘Roman Palace' sells for $15m
An iconic Sydney palace with romantic Roman vibes has just sold in the vicinity of $15m. Local landmark, Chateau de Benelong, is a stately seven-bedroom 1970s manor in Bellevue Hill with distinct Roman archways and Greek columns, despite being surrounded by more subtle stately homes along exclusive Benelong Crescent. Listed in March, the mansion was marketed with a guide of $15m through listing agent Paul Biller and Ben Torban of Biller Property. The deal was just one in an $80m dollar week for team Biller. Although Biller remained tight-lipped on the exact sale price, and the new owners, he did confirm there had been solid interest in the Aussie chateau which last sold in 2015 for $5.9 million. Created by award-winning designer Lesley Santy, and also known in some circles as The White House or European Palace. the three-storey neoclassical style property has always stood out from the crowd. Although Santy wasn't an architect, he did win a gold medal in the 1957 international furniture exhibition in Milan. Sitting in its original state for decades, Chateau de Benelong had a full renovation in 2011 when former owners, Nare Elio and Makedonka Del-Ben of the Big Dig Build Group, gave the home a facelift. After paying $3.67m for the property in 2009, they also added a pool, a pavilion, a home theatre and wine cellar. The chateau later sold in 2012 for $4.995 million. It's wow factor drawcard includes sweeping views over the harbour, several living spaces, grand hallways, high ceilings and a series of iconic arched windows which open out to private terraces. There is also DA approval for a rooftop terrace, a separate self-contained wing for guest or staff, an outdoor kitchen, heated mosaic-tiled pool and landscaped gardens. Aside from Chateau de Benelong, Biller Property has reportedly racked up approximately $80m in sales as May transitioned to April. 'Now the Easter and Anzac Day holidays plus the election is behind us, regardless of who won, as well as a couple of interest rate drops, it's led to a lot more buyer confidence. We're finding stronger numbers at inspections and more competition on every property; which is what we haven't had for the last 12 to 18 months,' Biller said. A five-bedroom house opposite Neilsen Park at 10 Greycliffe Ave, Vaucluse had a guide of $17m but sold at auction for more than $20m. 'That was a great family home and the position is as good as it gets in the east without harbour views,' Biller said. Along with fellow agent Adar Barhaim, Biller sold 770 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay for 'close to' its $20m guide. The eight-bedroom home with postcard harbour views was the childhood home of now Paris-based Alexander Briger, the chief conductor, artistic director and founder of the Australian World Orchestra. In the family more than 100 years, it was the former home of Briger's his mother Elizabeth, a ballet dancer in the 1950s, and father Andrew, a former Lord Mayor of Sydney and Waverley. In conjunction with Di Wilson from Ray White Double Bay, Biller also auctioned a five-bedroom house at 95 Hardy St, Dover Heights which sold under the hammer for $8.825m, changing hands for the first time in 40 years. 'That went for about $1m over what we'd expected at auction. Our guide had been $7.7m during the campaign,' he added. Meriton executive Ariel Hendler, grandson of Harry Triguboff, entrusted Biller to offload his second Watsons Bay cottage in two months. His four-bedroom property at 5 Pacific St, which has secure access to Camp Cove Reserve, sold for between $7m and $7.5m after the three-bedroom house next door at number 3 fetched $15.7m in April. Additionally, Biller and Torban with Steven Zoellner from Laing and Simmons Double Bay sold an art deco block of five units on Lamrock Ave, 300m from Bondi Beach achieving approximately $7m.
SBS Australia
5 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Pathways Melbourne, a silver lining for vulnerable Jewish youth and those leaving ultra-orthodoxy
In their conversation with SBS Hebrew Leah Boulton and Dassi Erlich also revealed Pathway's expansion and partnership with the Lighthouse Foundation in new initiatives to deliver culturally sensitive, trauma-informed support to vulnerable Jewish youth facing homelessness, abuse, or family estrangement. Through this collaboration they are establishing Orly House, a safe haven for children and teenagers at crisis points. Dassi Erlich (Author and justice campaigner)
