From 40,000-pound buys to $20 million digs: Growing up in Vaucluse, a true prestige property stronghold

When Nick Andrews’ parents bought their Wentworth Road home in Vaucluse in the 1960s, they paid the 40,000-pound asking price in cash.

The 2107-square-metre property sold last October for just shy of $20 million and will settle in July, giving Andrews and his family just a little more time to say goodbye.

Andrews moved back into his childhood home two years ago and says he has enjoyed seeing his kids explore the neighbourhood.

“I had a good life growing up here, riding pushbikes around, going down to the beach, going fishing at Parsley Bay, dropping lines in and fishing for yellow tail,” he says.

Family-friendly

Andrews’ late parents Andrew and Helen, who established the restaurant-turned-nightclub The Latin Quarter in the 1950s, were drawn to Vaucluse because they considered it a secure and family-oriented suburb.

“The streets are still very quiet,” says Andrews. “You can toddle down to Neilson Park, my kids take the dog for a walk down there.”

But for Andrews, one of the key attractions of Wentworth Road is being at the top of the hill and feeling as if you’re on the harbour.

“I love the view out to Manly, seeing the ferries criss-crossing the harbour, watching the Sydney to Hobart go out,” he says. “I will miss the wonderful nor-easter. I love when the wind blows and the rain comes in and having this 120-year-old house and feeling like I’m standing at the bridge of the ship sailing down the harbour.”

Beautiful big blocks

Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty managing director Michael Pallier has had a hand in many of Vaucluse’s top sales and says it’s a suburb where you’ll find some of the eastern suburbs’ biggest blocks with large homes coveted by the big end of town.

He believes the area’s natural beauty is its major drawcard.

“Vaucluse goes all the way from the ocean to the harbour, there’s lots of greenery and places for recreation,” he says. Included in that green space are the original grounds of the Heritage listed Vaucluse House.

Pallier has made four sales in Wentworth Road over the past six months for a combined total of $66.2 million and says the average sale price remains high in Vaucluse, which is increasingly home to wealthy Chinese business identities.

There have been 25 reported $20 million-plus sales in the suburb over the past 10 years, with the record price still belonging to the former Packer mansion La Mer, which sold to Chinese-Australian businessman Chau Chak Wing for $70 million in 2015.

Three homes in the area

10 The Crescent

A dip before work, sundowners on the limestone terrace and views over Parsley Bay are part of the package at this master-built home.

Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty agent Michael Pallier, and Laing + Simmons Double Bay agent D’Leanne Lewis, have scheduled an April 11 auction, with a bidding guide of about $15 million.

40-41 Olola Avenue

Sprawling over 2,100 square metres, this elegant residence has a pool, a tennis court, a self-contained guesthouse and a designer billiard room complete with a bar.

Bill Malouf of LJ Hooker Double Bay Group is leading the expressions of interest campaign.

2 Belah Avenue

Setting the tone at this glamorous five-bedder are harbour views, a selection of living areas and airy interiors where glass, marble and minimalist cabinetry are presented to impress.

Expect to pay about $7.65 million for the residence through Elliott Placks of Ray White Double Bay.