South Coast bushfire surviving acreage sells for $7m+

A stunning oceanfront acreage on the NSW south coast miraculously spared during last summer’s catastrophic bushfires has sold after hitting the market more than a year ago.

The rare and secluded getaway was offered to the market with a price guide of between $8 million and $8.8 million last year but that figure was later updated to $7.25 million.

The happy vendor, Jane de La Vega and her then-husband, Argentinian-born property developer Jose de la Vega, paid $180,000 for the 20 hectares of land in 1987.

The bushland holding is located on a scenic headland between Batemans Bay and Moruya, cascading down to a small, private beach. It also features a five-bedroom residence split into six separate pods designed by architect Julius Bokor, which cost $2.5 million.

The hideaway is a far cry from the landmark Sydney developments for which Jose de la Vega was famous for, including the development of the early stages of Woolloomooloo’s Finger Wharf and Walsh Bay Wharf.

Nirvana Property Specialists principal David Matthew said he had had hundreds of inquiries on the property from across the globe ranging from Hong Kong to England to Switzerland. Interest came primarily from Sydney, Canberra and some regional areas.

Mr Matthews remained tight-lipped about the unknown buyers and sale price. But it is understood the family are well-travelled, having lived in many countries around the world.

Prominent pair purchase Potts Point penthouse

Investment banker Lachlan Edwards and his wife Rebecca have bought the penthouse in Potts Point’s Hampton building for $6.8 million from LinkedIn executive Jason Laufer and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu partner Robbie Robertson.

Edwards is the former Lazard and Goldman Sachs banker who founded advisory firm Faraday Associates two years ago and has been representing half of the Virgin Australia bondholders in the rescue attempts for the failed carrier.

The Edwards clan are Longueville locals, having undertaken a major rebuild of the $3.25 million house they bought nine years ago. The property was up for sale but taken off the market after COVID-19 hit to make room for their university children who moved back home.

Richardson & Wrench’s Jason Boon no sooner sold the Edwards clan into the Hamptons building than he sold the penthouse atop Darlinghurst’s Republic 2 on behalf of gold trader David Baker and partner Craig Hollway.