
Lowes heir Josh Penn and Ben Palmer's Point Piper home sells
Lowes heir Josh Penn and his husband Ben Palmer have sold their Wyuna Rd, Point Piper mansion for $23.5m.
The couple, with son Brooklyn, 6, and daughter Blake, 4, are now understood to be focusing on renovating the Penn family's palace at Cap 'd'ail in the south of France, where they're intending on spending some time next year.
And they're also now debating whether to move to their former Double Bay home, now rebuilt, or to another eastern suburbs mansion they've apparently purchased, that's 'quite substantial'.
MORE:
Hush-hush sale hits 2025 record
MORE:Billionaire chicken heiress's record-breaking sale
Penn and Palmer are listed as co-owners on the land title for Capri, the Edwardian residence at 4 Wyuna Rd bought for $16m in 2021, alongside Penn's parents David and Linda Penn who have 70 per cent ownership.
But it's now sold via Monika Tu and Jad Khattar of Black Diamonz, with Tom Penfold of Cohen Handler known to have introduced the buyer.
There'd initially been hopes of $28m.
Penn and Palmer had been living in Capri during the three-year rebuild of their own home at 7 Carlotta Rd, Double Bay, bought for $6.7m in 2020, which is apparently 'incredible' and nearly ready to move into.
No clue yet as to the location of this other 'quite substantial' property, which is yet to settle.
The Wyuna Rd residence was previously owned by nursing-home scion Mark Moran and his interior decorator wife Evette.
The historic home on a 723sqm block had harbour views, an internal lift, multiple balconies, manicured grounds and a pool.
Penn and Palmer had initially intended to do major renovations, but ended up doing just landscaping the garden and adding lighting.
Their good taste in furniture helped give the home extra zing.
Josh Penn and mother Linda, the highly regarded philanthropist and CEO of Lowes Menswear that's worth $800m, recently raised a whopping $84.3m at the recent Gold Dinner for the Sydney Children's Hospital foundation.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


SBS Australia
31 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
SBS News in Filipino, Sunday 29 June 2025
Changes to the minimum wage and superannuation contributions set to take effect in Australia from July 1. The Philippine government begins its preparations for hosting the WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025. Australian tennis player Maya Joint defeats Filipino sensation Alex Eala to claim Australia's first Eastbourne International title win in 50 years. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST SBS Filipino 29/06/2025 09:53 Filipino LISTEN TO THE PODCAST SBS Filipino 25/06/2025 06:53 Filipino 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino 📲 Catch up episodes and stories – Visit or stream on Spotify , Apple Podcasts , Youtube Podcasts , and SBS Audio app.

News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Australia may boost defence budget if US asks for more ‘capability', minister says
The Albanese government could boost defence spending if the US asks for more Australian 'capability', a senior minister says. Anthony Albanese has resisted Washington's call to lift the defence budget to 3.5 per cent of GDP despite alarm bells over China's military build-up. The Prime Minister has held firm that Australia would first determine its defence needs and then fund them. But all NATO members bar Spain agreed to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP this week, highlighting Australia as an on outlier in the West. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke hinted on Sunday that could change. 'We make decisions on behalf of Australia and on behalf of Australia's national interest,' Mr Burke told Sky News. 'We have mature, decent, respectful conversations with the United States. 'But as I say, the conversation doesn't start with the dollars at our end – it starts with the capability. 'It is true … now that the world is a less stable place than it was, that means the conversations you're having now about capability are different to what you would have had.' Pressed on whether a US request for more capability rather than a flat GDP figure would free up the funds, Mr Burke said it might but that the Albanese government would 'look at it from the perspective of if Australia requires more capability'. 'We look at what capability's required, and that so far has meant, over time, we've been spending more money on defence than happened before Labor came to government.' US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth directly called on Australia to set the 3.5 per cent target in a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles earlier this month. It ignited a major debate in Canberra and fuelled criticisms that Australia is ill-prepared to defend itself against an increasingly aggressive China. While the Albanese government has committed record cash for the defence budget, much of it will not kick in until after 2029. With Australia itself predicting a major global conflict by 2034 and some analysts warning of a US-China conflict before 2030, critics have argued the money is not flowing fast enough and instead tied up in longer-term projects at the cost of combat-readiness. Mr Albanese's resistance to Washington's call has also fuelled worries he has mismanaged the relationship with the US. Appearing on Sky after Mr Burke, opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor repeated the Coalition's demand for a 3 per cent target. He said Mr Albanese 'is right' not to base Australia's defence spending on a figure set by another country, but accused the government of not funding the needs set by its landmark defence strategic review. 'It should be based on need, but its own defence strategic review, has laid out where the money needs to be spent and it's not being spent,' Mr Taylor said. 'I mean, this is the point. This government's not even meeting its own goals.' He added that 'recruitment numbers … are way below where they need to be' and that Australia's 'naval surface fleet is not where it needs to be'.

News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Top features in Victoria's $10m luxury mansions
A basement wellness retreat, voice-activated tech and a garage big enough for a supercar collection, that's just the entry point for Victoria's $10m+ prestige club. Buyers' agents and high-end selling agents say homes that crack eight figures are no longer just about postcode or square footage, they're about polish, privacy and absolute convenience. Industry Insider Property director and prestige buyers agent Andrew Date recently inspected a $20m Toorak fortress that ticked every box: two pools (one for laps, one for lounging), a fully automated home system, and a wellness zone in the basement. 'There was a pilates studio, sauna, steam room, the works,' Mr Date said. 'These homes are smart, secure and stacked with lifestyle features.' Kay & Burton director Darren Lewenberg said prestige buyers were increasingly turning away from renovation projects, no matter how grand, in favour of perfectly finished homes. 'They'll pay millions more just to avoid dealing with builders, permits and delays,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'Brand new or fully renovated, that's where the money is going.' And they're ruthlessly detail-focused. Mr Lewenberg said if the floor plan doesn't work, or the build quality isn't up to scratch, they'll walk. 'These buyers are globally aware, well-travelled and incredibly specific,' he said. 'They want quality that holds value.' Land is still the foundation of a prestige purchase, especially in Toorak, Hawthorn or South Yarra. Flat, well-oriented blocks close to schools and lifestyle precincts remain top of the wishlist. But the finish matters too. RT Edgar director Jeremy Fox said prestige homes that seamlessly blend heritage with high-end modern design were a major drawcard. 'Period homes with timeless architecture that have been brought into the modern era, they really resonate,' Mr Fox said. On the Mornington Peninsula, it's all about scale, views and retreat-style privacy. Buyers in Portsea, Sorrento and Red Hill want vineyard backdrops, sweeping water views and space to unwind — with all the luxuries of a city mansion. Most of the biggest sales aren't public either. Mr Lewenberg said many prestige deals above $10m now happen off-market, between trusted networks, with a recent $33m South Yarra mansion was never listed online. 'They're not just buying a home,' Mr Lewenberg said. 'They're buying time, certainty and status. 'And for that, buyers expect it all, bar, basement, butler's pantry and biometric entry, delivered upfront, no compromises.' Melb's $10m+ Property Buyer Checklist 1. Wellness retreat features – Sauna, steam room, pilates studio, and dedicated wellness zones in the basement. 2. Smart home tech and security – Voice-activated systems, biometric entry, advanced surveillance, and full automation. 3. No reno required – Fully renovated or brand-new builds only. Buyers are paying a premium to avoid permits, tradies, and delays. 4. Trophy garage space – Room for supercar collections, often underground and climate-controlled. 5. Entertainer-grade extras – Bar, butler's pantry, private cinema, lift, pool, and alfresco areas, all delivered upfront, no compromises.