Home once owned by Russell Crowe & Murdochs up for $37m
One of Sydney’s most illustrious trophy homes – a historic property that Rupert Murdoch and Russell Crowe have both owned – has hit the market for $37 million.
The Elizabeth Bay stunner known as Berthong is one of the few freestanding residences in the suburb and occupies a significant 1,662sqm title overlooking the water.
It sits at number 36 Billiard Ave, the best street in Elizabeth Bay according to listing agent Ken Jacobs.
View gallery (10) of 36 Billiard Ave.
Historical significance & architectural merit
The property was built in 1886 as a ladies’ college and thought to have been designed by Benjamin Brooks, an early owner of the property.
In 1995 the Murdoch family acquired the property for $6.85 million. It had previously been renovated in the 1980s but the Murdochs oversaw another update by renowned Melbourne decorator Leslie Walford.
Russell Crowe owned the property from 2001 – 2004. Picture: Getty Images
Russell Crowe acquired the property from the Murdochs in 2001 for a reported $9.2 million. Jacobs sold the property for the actor in 2004 to the current owners.
In 2005 Sydney-based firm Corben Architects were called upon to extensively restore the two-storey residence, adding a new kitchen, stairs and butler’s pantry, as well five ensuites for the home’s bedrooms, a private guest house (once the chauffeur’s quarters) and a lavish custom-designed dressing room.
The extensive grounds are also now framed by a sandstone terrace that steps down onto a level lawn and pool at the water’s edge.
The view of the bay from the pool at 36 Billiard Ave, Elizabeth Bay.
Jacobs says the sale of the property is likely to create a new price record for the suburb.
“The current record is $22 million but the neighbouring property, Boomerang, which I sold back in 2002 for $20.7 million and it set a record for Australia at the time,” he says.
“(With the sale of Boomerang) Elizabeth Bay was the first suburb to break $20m, but obviously the market has moved since then.”
He says there has been a positive level of enquiry from a range of buyers
since the home hit the market on the weekend.
“It’s a combination of architectural merit, historical significance and the fact that it’s a level waterfront block, north-facing.”
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Ref: realestate.com.au
