Only four owners have called Denholm mansion in the Sydney suburb of Woollahra home in its more than 100-year history. Among them was former Liberal Party heavyweight Sir John Atwill, who during his 50-year ownership received a variety of distinguished guests including the venerable Margaret Thatcher.
Befitting this provenance, the landmark estate recalls the elegance of an earlier era yet is fully equipped for the contemporary life of the next owner of note.
Designed by prolific Australian architect Robert (Robin) Dods, Denholm retains the initial arrangement of windows, doors and soaring ornate ceilings while having been expanded into a compound. The 1,075-square-meter (about 11,500-square-foot) property also accommodates a swimming pool with an outdoor theater, a separate office and two kitchen-equipped guest buildings, one of which contains a gym and steam room.
The grand foyer has a classic Georgian ambiance with polished beamed ceilings, wooden staircase and original herringbone parquetry. Ornate ceilings continue in the formal dining and living rooms.
French doors open to courtyard space and a dining patio area. The front courtyard contains a koi pond, fountains, an outdoor sound system and accent lighting.
The roomy kitchen features a long center island, white cabinetry, wood floors and a butler’s pantry. Behind a false wall is a secret door that accesses a temperature-controlled cellar with storage for more than 2,500 bottles, tasting room, another full kitchen and living area.
Including the primary suite, there are eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms spread throughout the compound.
A car lift facilitates subterranean parking for two vehicles. There are four more spots above ground.
Denholm is located in the popular “consular belt” of Woollahra with proximity to schools, the Sydney business district and the harbor. The leafy suburban community attracts high net-worth local buyers and expats returning from overseas as their children get to school age, says Denholm representative Ken Jacobs of Private Property Global. Trophy properties, such as Denholm, have recently changed hands in Woollahra in the AU $25 million to AU $45 million range (approximately US $17 million to US $31 million).
He notes that there is a scarcity of high-quality housing stock in the upper end of the Sydney real estate market.
“Given recent sales in Woollahra, and the facilities, finishes and unique attributes offered by Denholm, we reasonably expect interest in the AU $29 million to AU $32 million range,” Jacobs says. That roughly converts to about US $20 million to US $22 million.