Cate Blanchett Selling in Sydney — Plans Move to L.A.
It looks like two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton, a playwright/director of vast acclaim, are putting their historical estate south of Sydney on the market, with the intention of pulling up stakes in Australia and moving to climatically similar Los Angeles. They’ve just listed “Bulwarra,” which was originally constructed in 1877, for AUS $20,000,000, which translates to about US $14,735,000.
The talented couple bought the sandstone manner house in 2005 for roughly AUS $10 million, then spent about AUS $8 million “reinventing” it, doubling the size and cleverly linking the colonial features with a starkly modern new wing. It might sound a little strange, but, as you can see from the photos, it really worked. We’re especially fond of the new, custom steel staircase that rises three levels to connect the residence’s living spaces and form a dramatic sculptural centerpiece.
The house has four-and-a-half-bathrooms, plus five bedrooms, three with verandas that overlook the river that flows just beyond the property. The bedrooms are all on the upper level, and the master is located in its own private wing.
Some of the more impressive features downstairs include a home office/library with a dramatic double height ceiling,
and a streamlined chef’s grade kitchen with polished concrete floors.
Other floors are solid American Oak, which, according to the listing, is quite the luxury.
Outside, there’s a heated pool wrapped in raw-finished decking, with a covered spa and dining pergola. A unique studio retreat is hidden below.
There’s also a championship tennis court, a trampoline platform, a guesthouse and direct river access. Jacarandas abound.
The property is located about nine kilometers south of Sydney in one of Australia’s oldest garden suburbs, known as Hunters Hill, which has its own charming village atmosphere. The location, and the extensive security system, keep Cate and her family far apart from paparazzi and over zealous fans.
So why are Cate, Andrew and their sons Dashiell, Roman and Ignatius making the move away from their native land Down Under? It seems the couple had been serving as co-artistic directors of the prestigious Sydney Theatre Company, and their commitment is over at the end of this year. It’s reported they’re ready to have a go at it in the US, and they’ve decided on the Los Angeles area not only because of its film industry presence, but because the weather and lifestyle here are closer to Sydney than, say, New York or Montreal. We’ll keep you posted on where they land when they get here.
In the meantime, if your interested in a little piece of perfection in Australia, you can contact Ken Jacobs of Christie’s International Real Estate.
Cate Blanchett Selling in Sydney — Plans Move to L.A.