Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond made history when he listed his Point Piper mansion for sale for a record-breaking $200million earlier this month.
Boasting a ballroom which can host 500 people and two commercial kitchens used by some of the most famous chefs in the world, it’s no wonder the waterfront Wingadal property will soon be the most expensive property in Australia.
After buying the land in 1999 for $10.5million, the Aussie Home Loans founder, 76, is said to have spent another $50million transforming the house into a pad fit for elite soirees, reported The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday.
Designed by celebrity architect Alec Tzannes, Wingadal sits at the end of Australia’s most expensive cul-de-sac in the most expensive suburb, and has welcomed some of the wealthiest guests in the county for countless parties and charity events.
John has raised millions of dollars over the years during these exclusive gatherings, donating it to charities like the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, and also played host to two weddings.
Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond made history when he listed his Point Piper mansion for sale for a record-breaking $200million earlier this month. Pictured
He held his own wedding to now ex-wife Amber McDonald on the property in 2016, with the pair recently divorcing after eight years together in December last year – a split believed to have led to John’s decision to sell the home.
The former financial executive also hosted his son Stephen Symond’s commitment ceremony to marketing executive Ed Smith in 2013.
With a ballroom fit for the largest of parties, John can host up to 500 guests in the sprawling space on what has been dubbed the ‘party floor’, which can be reached via an elevator which leads to all four levels of the home.
The dance palace boasts a unique arched ceiling with 6,200 acoustically engineered rods which frame the stunning view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Ever the gracious host, John also included a full bar, stage and grand piano with more than enough room to host extravagant dance parties for his rich and famous guests.
Boasting a ballroom which can host 500 people and two commercial kitchens used by some of the most famous chefs in the world, it’s no wonder the waterfront Wingadal property will soon be the most expensive property in Australia
After buying the land in 1999 for $10.5million, the Aussie Home Loans founder is said to have spent another $50million transforming the house into a pad fit for elite soirees, reported The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday
Wingadal’s two commercial kitchens also reside on this floor and are used to serve up delicious food and beverages for John’s highly anticipated parties.
Some of the world’s most masterful chefs have worked in these kitchens, including Matt Moran, Guillaume Brahimi, Peter Doyle and Neil Perry.
Guests often make use of the multiple terraces and tiered gardens which are designed for revellers to make picture perfect memories.
The rest of the home, which features a rumoured 24 bathrooms, 22-seat movie theatre, two pools and 20-car parking, also acts as John’s private art museum.
Some of the artists who have caught John’s admiration include Brett Whiteley, Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joel Ellenberg and Roy Lichtenstein.
Designed by celebrity architect Alec Tzannes, Wingadal sits at the end of Australia’s most expensive cul-de-sac in the most expensive suburb
John has raised millions of dollars over the years during these exclusive gatherings, donating it to charities like the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation
It comes as John is reportedly moving to the south of France to nurse his broken heart after his divorce from wife Amber.
The Australian entrepreneur split from his ex, 52, in December last year after eight years of marriage and has now decided to jet out of the country.
Listing his exclusive Sydney Wingadal mansion for sale earlier this month for a record-breaking $200million, John is said to be ‘devastated’ over the separation, reported The Sunday Telegraph.
While it’s unclear when his alleged move to the other side of the world will take place, his luxury property in Point Piper is expected to smash the $130million sale record held by IT billionaire Scott Farquhar and his Uig Lodge.
John put the Wingadal mansion up for sale after buying the four-level home in 1999 and spending eight years turning it into the spectacular house it is today.
John held his own wedding to now ex-wife Amber McDonald, 52, (left) on the property in 2016, with the pair recently divorcing after eight years together in December last year – a split believed to have led to John’s decision to sell the home
The rest of the home, which features a rumoured 24 bathrooms, 22-seat movie theatre, two pools and 20-car parking, also acts as John’s private art museum
Ken Jacobs, of Forbes Global Properties, said it was ‘the most exciting listing’ he has worked on in his 40 years in the real estate business.
John said at the time of the listing earlier this week that he is selling now because he plans to spend more time overseas.
‘Wingadal has been a special home for my family over the past two decades, and now I’m looking forward to spending more time travelling overseas,’ he said.
He also spoke fondly of the many gala events held there over the years.
Guests often make use of the multiple terraces and tiered gardens which are designed for revellers to make picture perfect memories
‘While being an exceptional family home, we have also enjoyed hosting many important events for charities and other worthwhile causes,’ he said.
John and Amber, who started dating in 2011 and tied the knot in 2016, were said to have had a ‘strained relationship’ in the past, but are now better than ever after their separation.
The Daily Telegraph reported that John’s daughter Deborah still has a good relationship with her step mother Amber, with the pair said to be ‘the closest they [have] ever been’.
In a joint statement at the time, the former couple said: ‘We enter this new chapter of our lives with a deep, mutual respect and friendship for each other. We are united in our love and commitment to our family.’
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