Sir Frank Packer’s former Red Hill residence on the market

Canberra is no stranger to being home to some of Australia’s biggest names and nestled in the leafy suburbs of the Inner South is a five-bedroom property that was once owned by Australian media proprietor Sir Frank Packer.

The patriarch of the Packer family was the father of media mogul Kerry Packer and grandfather to billionaire businessman James Packer.

Sir Frank’s career in media started in 1923, when he became a cadet journalist at the Daily Guardian. Only four years later, he became the director of the company. 

One of his notable achievements was starting The Australian Women’s Weekly, an instant success, and transforming The Daily Telegraph to become one of Australia’s leading newspapers.

By the time of his death in 1974, Sir Frank controlled the Australian Consolidated Press and the Nine Network.

His presence in the capital was, of course, for political matters, dabbling in politics to discuss newsprint rationing.

Today, Sir Frank’s former Canberra estate is on the market for the first time in 20 years.

Exceptionally private and spanning more than 4000 square metres of land, No. 5 Vancouver Street is a magnificent home.

It was built in 1959 by Sydney architect John Allen and features soaring high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows in the living and dining areas that bring in an abundance of natural light and look out to the mature gardens.

Under the seller’s 20-year ownership, many of the original period features of the property were retained including the kitchen, fireplace and the pool in the backyard.

The sellers have installed a new roof and double-glazed the windows throughout, ensuring comfort all-year round.

Listing agent Bill Lyristakis of Berkely Residential said buyers were drawn to the property’s leafy surrounds and streetscape.

“Interest has been very strong since we listed. The house is well set back from the street and provides a lot of privacy for buyers,” Mr Lyristakis said.

While the sellers are not ready to let the property go, they hope the new owners will love it as much as they have.

“The vendors are looking for a tree change and have decided to move to the country,” he added.

According to government records, the property last sold in 2000 for $1.025 million.

The property comes on the market amid the Crown Resorts inquiry.

The independent inquiry into Crown Resorts, of which James Packer is a former chairman, is investigating allegations of sordid dealings within one of the country’s biggest casino operators.

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