Former Coles boss John Fletcher and wife Noela have listed their Gold Coast penthouse on the pricey Hedges Avenue.

The couple have owned the apartment since 2007 when they paid $6.7 million.

Spread over two levels in 'Hedges 252', the 758 sqm four bedroom apartment has views over Mermaid Beach.

Its private roof terrace has a 15 metre pool and spa.

It's listed with Harcourts Coastal agent Tolemy Stevens.

Fletcher is best known for running the supermarket giant from 2001 to 2007 before it was acquired by Wesfarmers.

He famously said he had not been in a supermarket for 25 years just before he took the top position.

Fletcher has recently been appointed chairman of ports operator DP World Australia.

The block's neighbouring 701/252 Hedges Avenue house-sized apartment that spans across 743sq m has also been listed.

Sandy Cowell was in search of the perfect penthouse when she stumbled upon 701/252 Hedges Avenue in 2006. It is for sale at $5.95 million through Kollosche Prestige Agents.

This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.

The winner of the 1969 Wilkinson Award, a Philip Cox-designed house at Cheltenham, has been listed for sale.

Considered as one of the best mid-century houses in Australia, the late 1960s Norma Crescent home has $2.75 million hopes.

The five bedroom home has been updated and renovated around its central courtyard that features a pool and spa.

There's a self-contained lower level with its own private entry on the 1,150 sqm parcel that adjoins the Lane Cove National Park.

Built with creamy-yellow expressed bricks, it comes with brush box floors, oregon ceilings and exposed cedar rafters. 

It last traded for $1.405 million in 2013 to the Apap family, in fairly original condition. Since then it has bathroom and kitchen renovations which don't detract too much from the style of the home.

It went unsold late last year when listed with $3 million hopes.

Now Black Diamondz listing agent Noemi Guttmann is taking the home to auction August 20.

It first traded for $108,000 in 1976 when sold by the Hawkins household.

When designed by Philip Cox in 1968, he was an influential proponent of the Sydney School – a style of architecture responding to its environment, often built in natural bushland, organic, and using natural materials.

The Wilkinson is the highest accolade of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. 

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph. 

Having bought a Noosaville holiday home, newly installed Caltex chairman Greig Gailey and his sociologist wife, Dr Geraldine Lazarus have reduced the asking price for their now redundant Sunshine Coast holidayer.

Previously seeking $3.4 million through Sam Plummer and Karen Bester at Dowling & Neylan Real Estate, the home now comes with a $3.2 million guide following their new purchase.

The Toorak couple paid $2.55 million in 2009 for the Gabriel Poole designed beach house.

They spent $2.975 million for the four bedroom Noosaville waterfront, a bit closer to the tourism hub than at Sunshine Beach.

This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.

The recently appointed editor-in-chief of The Australian Women’s Weekly, Kim Doherty (nee Wilson) and her husband, Guardian Australia journalist Ben Doherty secured the pre-auction sale of their Tamarama apartment, as they are trading up in the eastern suburbs.

Listed with an $800,000 to $875,000 guide, Bethwyn Richards of McGrath Estate Agents secured $920,000.

The former editor-in-chief of New Idea - who was also a regular on Sunrise as one of “Kochie’s Angels” - had purchased the Stonehaven apartment in 2007 for $515,000.

She'd undertaken an upgrade of the internal finishes. Its north-facing curved sunroom was converted into a nursery for daughter Molly.

Doherty was named as the new editor-in-chief of AWW in February, taking over from her former boss Helen McCabe.

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.

Television viewers never got to see 4 Palm Valley Drive in Byron Bay on Grand Designs, but its been the work in progress of the host Peter Maddison for the last two years.

The acclaimed architect has been working on the beach home, renovating the luxury Byron Bay Beach house, Wattai, which sold for $5.6 million to a Melburnian.

Janis Perkins of Real Estate of Distinction secured the sale for Melbourne property developer, Allan Sinclair, father of Sydney Swans footballer Callum Sinclair.

He paid $3.7 million for the home in 2004.

Set on the path to Watego's Beach, each of Wattai's four bedrooms come with ensuites. 

Set on 790 sqm, the home includes a large self-contained flat which leads to an outdoor decking, fitted with bbq area and a salt water wet edge pool. 

The most striking feature of the home is the 183 sqm rooftop terrace, complete with a 10 person spa.

It's going to be a busy year for the Melbourne-based architect.

On top of juggling his own business, Maddison Architects, he is renovating his family home in Brighton.

The family moved out of their mid-century home they've lived in for 15 years to allow the work to be done.

Maddison paid $790,000 in 2000 with the project costing a lot more money expected and it's taking a lot longer than he thought. 

"It's costing a lot more and it's taking a lot longer than I thought ... but it's coming along," he laughed.

"The plan is to renovate being sympathetic to the home's unique 1960s styling elements while adding a fresh touch."

Grand Designs Australia airs on The LifeStyle Channel and has been running since 2010.

Maddison will hope he is a little more successful than British counter-part Kevin McCloud in the property market.

McCloud, who present the British Grand Designs, has come under fire for his recent eco development in Stroud, which is said to be riddled with damp and unsafe to live in.

Yerroublin, the Masterman family home at Birchgrove, has been sold after being marketed with $5.5 million hopes.

The 1913 waterfront Federation with original sandstone caves has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a self-contained apartment.

Set on 719 sqm, the wraparound deck overlooks the garden with views across the Sydney harbour.

It's been in the Masterman family for over 50 years, offered to the market last month by Blah Blah Magazine blogger Cybele Masterman, who inherited it about 22 years ago.

Her father Nick Masterman was a renowned Balmain boat maker who built his first boat when he was just 13 and went on to become a foundation member of Snails Bay Sabot Sailing Club in 1962.

Nick took up an apprenticeship at Cockatoo Dock, where he was exposed to asbestos fibres. He won a rotary scholarship to Japan as a naval architect and was instrumental in reviving the Balmain Sailing Club and setting up the Balmain Sailing School.

One of Nick's greatest accomplishments was bringing Ena, one of Sydney's most elegant steamboats, back to her original grace and style. Nick was a Greens Leichhardt Council alderman between 1991 and 1993. He died in 1994 of mesothelioma.

One of those last remaining Federation homes at the northern end of the peninsula had been subdivided in 1978, selling half to the late ABC television producer Bruce Allen and his wife, former Leichhardt councillor Helen Styles.

This neighbouring semi was sold by Allen and Styles in 1996 for $1.15 million to medico Richard Levy and his wife Elizabeth who considered selling it all in one line earlier this year.

As a combined lot the Levys and Masterman were hoping to sell the 1337 square metre property for $11 million, but McGrath agent John Paranchi didn't get the double sale across the line.

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.

Yet another Aussie cricketer is selling up in the Sutherland Shire - but its appears Nathan Lyon won't be straying.

The Test veteran currently in Sri Lanka where he has taken nine wickets in Australia's dismal first two Tests, has listed his renovated Oyster Bay waterfront.

Lyon and wife Meg paid $1.4 million for the home in 2014 and renovated throughout.

The family home on 1220 sqm has four bedrooms and two bathrooms spread over its two levels.

A lower level rumpus room flows onto the outdoor alfresco entertaining area which is accompanied by a landscaped yard and large fire pit.

McGrath Sutherland Shire agents Matthew Johnston and Jill Yankos have set a price guide of between $1.95 million and $2.05 million for its September 3 auction.

Lyon recently expressed his love for spending time in the garden, which overlooks the water.

Lyon has two young daughters, Harper, 2, and Lily, 1, and says he loves being a dad.

"I just love being a dad and that great cuddle you get when you come home."

"I am a bit of a softie around the girls actually."

The shire has always been a hotspot for the lads with the bat and ball, with numerous comings and goings over the years.

Ricky Ponting packed his bags for Brighton in bayside Melbourne, selling at Burraneer Bay for $4.275 million in late 2013.

Retired captain Michael Clarke sold his Lilli Pilli home for $2.55 million in 2014, whilst Shane Watson let go of his Caringbah South waterfront for $3.925 million the same year securing a $9 million Bronte home.

Nearby neighbour Glenn McGrath thought about leaving Gunnamatta Bay, but never quite got to buy in Sydney's eastern suburbs. 

Lyon, who holds the record for most Test wickets taken by an Australian off-spinner, has been a fixture in the Australia Test team since his debut in 2011.

The 28 year old from Young in the South West Slopes region of NSW, made an immediate impact on debut, taking a wicket with his first ever Test ball.

He went on to take five for 34 on and became only the 15th Australian bowler to take five wickets in their debut innings.

Lyons is currently the 15th best bowler according to the ICC Rankings.

He remains an integral part of the ODI team after making his debut in 2012 and is also a part of the Sydney Sixers BBL team.

Lyon bought a Vaucluse apartment last year for $1.1 million, which he quickly leased for $800 a week, showing a yield of 3.78 percent.

Test cricket legend Shane Warne has listed his Brighton home because he's boomeranging back to a former Brighton home.

There's been recent speculation Shane Warne bought back his former Brighton mansion, Melville (above) for $14 million plus, with his McLuskys Lawyer's conveyancing paperwork now confirming his August 3 acquisition.

The Herald Sun reported the spin king's redundant Brighton home came with price hopes of $5 million to $6 million.

The house has been restored since his purchase in 2014.

The Herald Sun reported JP Dixon director Jonathan Dixon completed the secret resale to Warne, but would not comment on the details. The sale took place when Warne was in the UK on his cricket commentary commitments.

His agency has Warne’s Kinane Street home, Camden (below) for sale.

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There’s a putting green, a trampoline and waterfall features with pool.

David Atkins, who produced the opening and closing Sydney 2000 Olympic ceremonies, sold his Manly home in just 11 days earlier this month.

He's now tipped to emerge as the $5.05 million buyer of a luxury Collaroy Basin home (above).

It was sold recently by Sean Nicholls, a sports star and entertainment agent, now chief executive at Link Marketing and Management International, and his interior designer wife Dita.

The bespoke designer residence sits on 697 sqm of landscaped gardens, just 75 metres from Fishermans Beach.

The home with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, media room, home office and loft retreat also comes with a modern self-contained cottage. 

Belle Property Dee Why agents Brendan Pomponio and Kirsten Bertram secured the sale.

Australia's most awarded producer, choreographer and director David Atkins married his sweetheart, Elli early last year at the Jonah's Whale Beach resort.

He was previously married to the ballet dancer Sheree da Costa, and they had two sons, Tobi, who is a musician, and Joey, an aspiring actor.

David and Elli are also parents.

Their Manly mansion sold last weekend having been listed with $6.4 million hopes through RED property agents Richard Davies and Luke Newby, who haven't revealed the sale price.

The home that cost $5.4 million a year ago was a 1908 Federation with five bedrooms, twin formal lounge rooms, a home office and an elevated upper deck with harbour views.

Set on 900 sqm, the tranquil rear court garden and private conifer lined lawns landscaped by Annie Wilkes.

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.

After two false starts, the Olympic fast man Matt Shirvington and wife, Jessica have relisted their Mosman home for a third marketing campaign.

The updated 1897 Federation home dropped off online listing sites earlier this year, but is back this time through McGrath's Michael Coombs.

Coombs has set an early spring September 10 auction date. The price guidance is $4.3 million to $4.6 million.

It had previously been with Belle Property Mosman which failed to sell the home after over 100 days on market.

The couple tried to sell the home back in 2012, however failed after spending 65 days on the market.

Set on a large 822 sqm corner block, the single level home has four bedrooms, a grand formal dining room and a private marble finished outdoor terrace. 

Shirvo, known as the second fastest Australian sprinter of all time, paid $2.5 million for the home in 2008, the year he retired as a professional athlete.

Since life off the track, Shirvington has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, and is currently a sports presenter for Sky News Australia and host of Fox Sports NRL coverage.

He and wife, author Jessica are childhood sweethearts, having been together since they were 17. She is the author of the popular Violet Eden Chapters series.

They have two daughters, Sienna and Winter.

Mosman is one of the slowest selling private treaty markets, according to CoreLogic, with their time on market currently at 70 days. The Sydney average is 34 days.

This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.

Brisbane Bronco Alex Glenn has found a buyer for his Crestmead investment in Logan.

The New Zealand Test star secured the $435,000 sale of the four bedroom, two bathroom home.

Set on a large 1241 sqm land parcel, the home has a large family/billiard room with a combustion wood stove and a spacious undercover entertainment area outside.

Glenn made a small loss on the property, having spent $440,000 on the home in 2010.

The 27 year old had rented it out however during his six years of ownership, with a last listed price of $495 a week, showing a rental yield of 5.85 percent.

Initially listed with $469,000 hopes through Professionals Logan Lifestyles selling agent Jenny Rajic, the home spent spent 47 days on market.

The average days on market in Crestmead is 46 days, according to CoreLogic.

Glenn and his young family are based in Wavell Heights in Brisbane and have owned a $575,000 investment property in Burleigh Waters since 2014.

That one is tenanted at $695 a week, showing another strong yield of 6.29 percent.

Lactura, the long-time Centennial Park home of high profile TV executive David Leckie and his charity cheerleader wife, Skye, was pulled from scheduled auction.

It seems the interested parties just weren't ready to buy. The new auction date is now September 17 with no amendments to the $11.5 million price guide by McGrath agents Ben Collier and Dominqiue Ogilvie.

The Leckie's have owned the grand two storey home on the tightly held Lang Road since 1998 when David was chief executive of the Nine Network under Kerry Packer.

He paid $2.5 million for the 1910 residence. They are looking towards the inner east harbourside suburbs for an apartment along with a working farm on their radar too.

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.

Darryn Lyons, who rose to prominence in Australia and the United Kingdom as a paparazzo with pink Mohawk, has listed his longtime Sydney investment.

It is a four bedroom terrace with private, sunlit courtyard on a contemporary Jacksons Landing, Pyrmont row.

Lyons, who has enjoyed $1650 weekly rentals, bought the three level property in 2001 for $866,000.

The home comes with a buyers guide of $2.1 million for its September 3 auction through Little Real Estate agents Mark Horn and Christie Mortimer. More than two dozen inspectees went through yesterday's open-house.

Lyons still owns another investment in the Harry Seidler designed Horizon in Darlinghurst.

The Geelong born photographer made his name in the early 1990s as a paparazzi in London especially after he founded the picture company, Big Pictures, which supplied paparazzi-style photographs for news organisations around the world.

Branding himself "Mr Paparazzi", there were regular appearances on television shows such as Celebrity Big Brother, Top Gear and the Dragons' Den.

On his return to Australia, Lyons took to local politics becoming mayor of Geelong in 2013 until earlier this year.

Lyons and fiancee, Elissa Friday took up residence in Geelong with his local paper once describing his home as a menagerie, a museum, a showcase and a wonder-world from the Trafalgar Square-like lions at the front gate.

He recently said his latest project was sorting out his “millions” of photos, developing some conceptual ideas for their reproduction.

This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.

The 2015 sale of the Hunters Hill trophy home of Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton has collapsed. 

The buyer, understood to live in Point Piper, claims problems getting their funds out of China, highlighting an emerging issue for Australian prestige property owners.

The historic residence, Bulwarra sold for $19.8 million last August on delayed settlement terms, just three weeks after hitting the market.

The celebrity couple, wanting to avoid a circus agreed to further time extensions, having since bought in the United Kingdom.

Their redundant 3642-square-metre North Parade estate has been relisted by Ken Jacobs of Christie’s International who will be seeking $20 million, no doubt calling those who missed out.

After returning to Sydney to perform in the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Hedda Gabler, Blanchett, often with her writer husband, Andrew Upton, began looking for their new Sydney house in 2004. After being bombarded with inquiries from pesky estate agents, the couple took the decision to sign up buyer's agency adviser, Deborah West.

Blanchett and Upton purchased the property on nine month delayed settlement terms for $10 million in 2005 from veteran merchant banker Jim Dominguez and his wife Suzanne, and subsequently spent more than $8 million on a three-year redesign by architects Nadine Alwill and Stephen Lesiuk .

The sales' contract collapse matter could be headed for the courts depending on the resale price now secured. Deborah West got huge billing as the agent to the stars after last August's sale.

“High profile clients come to us to escape the circus that is the Sydney property market," she then advised.

"They want confidentiality, discretion and privacy,” said West.

A home sales contract to an offshore Chinese buyer is no guarantee of yielding a settlement, as Property Observer has previously written when the on-off issue of getting funds out of China arose. 

The size of the Cate Blanchett deposit is not known.

The Oscar winner and her husband bought a high-rise bolthole in The Astor on Macquarie Street as their intended Sydney base.

The price is undisclosed however Yellow Brick Road and Celebrity Apprentice boss Mark Bouris wanted $8 million for the apartment.

One of China’s wealthiest businessmen, leading food producer Sun Shaofeng has emerged the $20 million buyer of the Vaucluse estate Werribee.

It was sold by the estate of the late Cementaid founder Peter Aldred through Raine & Horne Double Bay’s Max Spartalis.

Mr Sun is the chairman, chief executive and majority shareholder of the Hong Kong-listed agricultural company China Green, which is best known as one of China’s leading agricultural producers on the mainland.

The Fujian-based company sold off its beverage subsidiary last year to Coca-Cola for $US400 million.

The 3330 square metre property last sold in 1961 when it set a Sydney housing record at 41,000 pounds. 

It was the long-time home of the Combs family until it was sold by grazier Charles Combs in 1961 to the Aldred family.

Following the release of his third solo album Civil Dusk, musician Bernard Fanning has listed one of his Queensland investment properties.

Fanning has just spent $2.465 million on a four bedroom Byron home adjoining the Arakwal National Park, not far from his music studio rental.

The former Powderfinger frontman bought the two bedroom Brisbane investment unit (above) in 2011 for $422,500 and looks set to make a tidy profit, given its $529,000 asking price through Vern Gilbert at Professionals Toowong.

The Paddington apartment has been a rental investment having been last advertised at $410 a week.

He sold his former Kingscliff home in March for $950,000, having rented the three bedroom ground floor apartment when he relocated to Spain with his family after the band disbanded.

This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.

The enthusiastic arts patron Sophie Landa has sold the longtime family home in for a 2016 Woollahra price record.

It was an off-market sale mid-way through its renovation, with the 1400 sqm holding fetching $9.75 million.

Landa, the daughter of the late NSW attorney-general Paul Landa and his arts patron wife Anne, prefers Bondi Beach these days.

Last year the former publicist and mother of two paid $4.82 million for the Bondi Beach home of the music mogul Stephen Pavlovic.

Paul Landa, who was a minister in Neville Wran's government, died in 1984, aged 43, a year after buying the Wallaroy Road house.