Best in show: Mosman's merchant mansion Ardagh makes rare market appearance

There has never been a shortage of property developers working to make the most of Mosman real estate, but none have had such a lasting impact as Sydney Cabban and William Smith for the homes they built more than a century ago.

The grand Federation residences built by Smith & Cabban at Clifton Gardens have long been known as merchant mansions for wealthy merchants who could afford them, rather than the merchant bankers more likely to own them today.

More than a century later they remain better known by name, rather than address, thanks not only to their grandeur but the land size holdings they often claim.

Ardagh is no exception. Built in 1905 by Smith & Cabban it stands on 2770 square metres making it one of the largest holdings of these historic homes.

History has been kind to Ardagh. In 1919 Alfred Mallick bought it from local agent William Toohey for 4000 pounds, and preserved its views thereafter by buying next door for just long enough to place a covenant on title to ensure no apartments were ever built on site.

British trade commissioner John Adams owned it from 1945, paying 5500 pounds, until 1964 when it was sold to the Champ family.

When pianist and ABC radio personality John Champ died in 1993, he stipulated that first option to buy it be given to near neighbours Mary and Gary Smoker, the businessman and pharmacist who was then a Mosman alderman.

And so they did, paying $2.4 million the following year.

In 2001 the 20-room mansion – arguably one of the largest of its type in Mosman – was heritage-listed.

The scale remains daunting even by today’s mega-builds. The formal reception room is more than 100 square metres, only slightly smaller than the vast parents’ retreat upstairs that includes its own lounge area and balcony.

The more than 1000 square metres of internal space is spread over three levels, including seven living areas with ornate 3.6-metre high ceilings, six fireplaces, leadlight windows and window seats.

Then there is the two-storey coach house, a separate two-bedroom and self-contained apartment, double garages at either end of the block accessing both Ruby Street and Prince Albert Street, a north-south tennis court, a heated swimming pool and a spa.

SOLD - $17,000,000

19 Prince Albert Street, Mosman NSW 2088

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It explains why Mosman’s “merchant mansions” remain some of the most tightly held real estate in Mosman.

By way of example Richard Simeon, of Simeon Partners, points to the nearby Smith & Cabban-built mansion Curraweena on 2238 square metres he sold to hedge fund manager Paul Henry in 2009 for $13.2 million after more than a decade ownership by the Dollard family.

The heritage-listed Leesthorpe was last year’s highest on market sale in Mosman at $15.8 million when Simeon sold it after 20 years’ ownership by Katrina Williams, wife of barrister David Williams, SC.

“They rarely come up for sale, so when they do they always attract more than their fair share of attention,” says Simeon.