Houses that rise to the challenge

It’s a stunning home perched on a clifftop over Sydney’s northern beaches, with water from the infinity pool looking as if it plunges 60 metres over the edge of the precipice.

But when the present owners of this home first set eyes on the site, it was occupied by an eccentric 1980s house that felt almost closed off from the dramatic views over the Mona Vale headland.

“We were excited at the prospect of creating a house to do justice to the approximately 63-metre ocean frontage,” says the owner. “Whilst the exterior walls were retained, the interior space was gutted to create open-plan living areas and provide a seamless flow between outside and inside.

“But the most challenging part of the project was the creation of an infinity pool on the edge of the cliff.”

That became the task of Sean Gartner, co-principal of Gartner Trovato Architects. 

“It was a challenge because the house is extremely close to the edge of the cliff and it’s a very strangely shaped site,” he says. 

“The owner wanted a pool and you look to make additions as dramatic as possible, [in this case it was] close to the edge where the land falls away a couple of hundred metres.”

Little remained of the original house by the time Gartner’s work was done. He’d opened the home up to the spectacular ocean vistas by adding large windows, created the pool and decking, which were also sheltered in the event of north-easterly winds, and changed the envelope of the house substantially.

“It is really rewarding at the end when it all comes together and people say, ‘Wow! I now see what you were talking about’!”, says Gartner, who puts the price of putting in a pool at such a site near $100,000. Tim Le, of agency Black Diamondz now selling the property, says it was well worth it.

“A massive renovation expertly done can add so much value to a property such as this,” he says. The property previously exchanged for $5.1 million in 2007, today the home that is for sale through expressions of interest is expected to sell for about $7.7 million.

Another elevated site, this time with arguably some of the best panoramic views available in northern Queensland, presented a challenge of similar magnitude for architect Christine Vadasz.

She ended up even moving from her base in Byron Bay to Port Douglas for the year-long build on a steeply sloping area of more than 4000 square metres, overlooking the Coral Sea and Four Mile Beach.

“The hardest part was probably the engineering, getting the footings in,” Vadasz says. “We wanted to use pole construction and used around 135 poles, but once we came out of the ground things got a lot easier.”

She ended up designing the home, named Kalimna, owned by Just Jeans founder Craig and Connie Kimberley, as nine separate pavilions set within tropical landscaped gardens, with fish ponds, timber decks, day beds and pathways, as well as a lagoon-style infinity pool, and an inclinator with no fewer than three stops.     

“It was a much harder job than I thought it would be, but I enjoyed every bit of it,” Vadasz says. “I sourced all the timber and stone from the hinterlands and we had a huge crane that came to the site probably five times to crane everything in.”

Now selling the home, Callum Jones, of Tony McGrath Real Estate, says, “Making the absolute most of spectacular views can create outstanding properties.” 

On another steeply sloping site, this time set against a cliff face in Sydney’s Middle Harbour, architect Goran Stojanovic, of X.Pace,chose to forgo putting a new house on stilts in favour of excavating the site, a process that took three to four months to take out 2700 cubic metres of sandstone. 

“It meant we got a fantastic, very large floor plate that nestled into the ground,” he says of the location in Bay Street in Mosman. “It meant we could have a large terrace and an additional lower-level pavilion connected into it.”

He managed to open up the existing dark, cold 1970s house towards the best south-westerly view and then built a lower house on the newly excavated area split into two components around a central courtyard. 

“The ‘V’ opens to the north so you now get good sunlight into the back and our main windows face the view,” he says. “It was challenging, but a good result!”

What the experts say: “A massive renovation expertly done can add so much value to a property.” Tim Le, Black Diamondz Property Concierge

What’s on trend: “Making the absolute most of spectacular views can create outstanding properties.” Callum Jones, Tony McGrath Real Estate  

What to look for: “You look to make additions as dramatic as possible, close to the edge where the land falls away a couple of hundred metres,” Sean Gartner, Gartner Trovato Architects

Feature property

The infinity pool at 46 Hillcrest Avenue, Mona Vale, NSW.

46 Hillcrest Avenue, Mona Vale
$7 million
Beds: 4, Bathrooms: 4, Parking: 3, Pool: 1

With a magnificent 63-metre ocean frontage, this three-level, four-bedroom, four-bathroom home sits on a clifftop at the end of a hidden cul de sac, with panoramic views from every room.  

The infinity pool was designed by award-winning architects Gartner Trovato to look as if water tumbles down the cliff, and frames the outlook over beaches and ocean. Of the 2009 rebuild, the owners say, “Ultimately we are delighted the building’s transformation matched our initial vision for the property. Finishes were selected to create a luxurious but relaxed environment.”

Interiors were modelled by Ruth Levine Designs, and there are multiple indoor-outdoor lounges, entertainment areas and dining spaces. There are also fully self-contained guest accommodation, a media room, gym, billiards room, outdoor kitchen and a wine cellar. 

The flooring is both oak and travertine with underfloor heating and ducted air-conditioning and heating, while there’s parking for three cars in the underground basement, and security gates to the property. 

Expressions of interest
Tim Le Black Diamondz Property Concierge  0488 946 027
See more at Domain

46 Murphy St, Port Douglas, QLD

‘Kalimna’, 46 Murphy Street, Port Douglas 
$6.5 million
Beds: 6, Bathrooms: 8, Parking: 6, Pool: 1

Close to the iconic Port Douglas lookout, this six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home has been acclaimed as one of Australia’s best tropical homes with panoramic views of its own. As a series of pavilions and entertainment decks covering 975sqm of space, set in vast landscaped gardens, it includes a huge split-level master suite and four guest bedrooms all with en suites, balconies and views.

The lagoon-style pool has emerald mosaic tiles, while the hardwood timber for the decks has all been locally sourced. There’s also a home office with balcony, a self-contained caretaker’s residence, a complete dining pavilion, an air-conditioned cellar and caterer’s kitchen. 

Private Treaty
Callum Jones Tony McGrath Real Estate 0437 981 195
See more at Domain

38 & 38A Bay St, Mosman, NSW

38 & 38a Bay Street Mosman 
$16 million – $17.6 million for No. 38; $8 million – $8.8 million for No. 38a
Beds: 12, Bathrooms: 11, Parking: 6, Pool: 1

As one of the largest waterfront holdings in Mosman, and in one of its best positions on the harbour, these two properties are offered together, or separately. 

The lower No. 38 with its walls of glass flows down to a massive outdoor terrace with private spa, which then slopes gently to the water’s edge, jetty and boatshed. The 1500sqm home also includes a separate rumpus room and kitchenette that could be a self-contained guest wing. The higher house at 38a, on 638sqm of land, has five bedrooms, a study, pool, entertainment decks and a garden, with panoramic harbour views.

Expressions of interest
Gayle Walker Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty 0402 294 040 
See more at Domain