Much-missed television critic Ruth Ritchie was the top bidder when Seabell, one of Palm Beach’s oldest homes, sold for $7.67 million at a recent auction.
It had been in the Seaman family name for the past century.
Ritchie, who already owns at Palm Beach, will now undertake the big renovation in between her freelance writing.
Ray White Palm Beach selling agent Noel Nicholson had been giving buyers advise pre-auction that the renovations could cost anywhere between $1 million and $3 million.
Seabell dates back to 1918 when Laurie Seaman built the sandstone residence when there were only four other houses on the hill.
The home had a price guide of $5 million, which is where the bidding started.
It was announced on to the market at $5.5 million and just the two bidders drove the price $2 million above reserve.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.