Cronulla's 'spaceship house' up for sale for $15m as Shane Noble plans to sail the world

The landmark Cronulla residence known for almost half a century as the “spaceship house” – but officially named Cove House – is up for grabs with a $15 million guide, given plans by owners Shane and Lyn Noble to pack up, move to Europe and build a catamaran to sail around the world.

Fortuitously, their plans come not just as international borders open but as Shane’s corporate responsibilities are put aside following his dramatic resignation as chairman of Launceston-based agribusiness TasFoods last year.

The Nobles are best known for the renovation and redesign of their waterfront reserve home that has stood as a local landmark since it was completed in 1973 to a design by the late architect Reuben Lane.

Lane was commissioned to design the striking residence featuring curved walls, a circular staircase and a curvilinear roofline by Tom Breen, of Breen Resources, who owned it until 1978 when it was sold to the late rug dealer Evan Cardiacos for $185,000.

The Nobles purchased it in 2014 for $4.3 million, making a passion project of the extensive, seven-year-long restoration and renovation, with interiors by designer Brendan Wong and Secret Gardens landscaping that includes a glass-fronted pool and fire pit.

“I’d walked past it vacant years prior, peered in the windows, and thought it would be a dream project,” Mr Wong told Domain earlier this year.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to work within a very special architectural envelope.”

It is listed with Highland Property’s Mitchell Wynn, making it the agency’s first significant offering since its recent partnership was announced with long-time Double Bay selling maestro Bill Malouf and his son David to form Highland Double Bay Malouf.

The deal ended Malouf’s momentous 35-year association with the LJ Hooker brand and was expected to allow a company structure that freed him to expand into the east’s projects and rental market.