House that Geelong Grammar sold now a $15.5m stunner
The stunning new contemporary home at 20 Douglas Street has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a swimming pool set on 600 square metres.
It is being sold by a corporate entity ultimately owned by retailer-turned-developer Fadil 'Butch' Sadikay, the founder of Surf Dive 'n' Ski.
Designed by architects Cera Stribley and built by Conly, the residence now features luxurious materials such as wide oak floors, natural stone and ribbed marble feature walls.
Loading
A formal dining room comes with a wine wall and cocktail bar, while the home also has an open-plan dining area and a kitchen with Wolf appliances, Sub-Zero fridge/freezer and butler's pantry with Liebherr bar fridge.
There's a clever internal courtyard plus a garden with al fresco terrace, barbecue and above-ground heated pool designed so the pool gate is out of the line of sight. There's also a home theatre, gym, sauna and four-plus-car garage.
Listing agents are Marshall White's Justin Long, Marcus Chiminello and Fiona Counsel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
6 days ago
- 7NEWS
Open for Inspection: Homes with saunas are hot property. Here's five of the best
Saunas are quickly heating up as one of the most popular wellness trends of 2025, driven by growing awareness of the potential health benefits - from promoting relaxation and stress reduction to better sleep quality and even improved heart health. Not surprisingly, more and more people are embracing heat therapy as a must-have feature in their homes. This week we've rounded up some of the most impressive homes for sale that also incorporate sleek, space-saving sauna designs into their private sanctuaries. Victoria: A steaming sauna adds sizzle to a Toorak masterpiece A three-level architectural masterpiece in Melbourne's leafy inner-city suburb of Toorak, not only boasts luxurious open-plan, indoor-outdoor living, complete with a wet-edged heated pool, four stunning bedrooms and five luxurious bathrooms, it also has an entire floor dedicated to wellness and entertainment. Accessed via a lift, the basement level accommodates a four-plus garage with a turntable, a state-of-the-art home theatre, a dedicated gym and powder room and a stylish sauna - perfect for a post-workout recovery. The stunning home at 20 Douglas Street was designed by esteemed architects Cera Stribley and is listed by Marshall White Stonnington with a price guide of $12.95 million. NSW: Renovated Palm Beach retreat offers poolside sauna With views across the Palm Beach coastline, this transformed three-level residence boasts an ultra-stylish, family-friendly layout with a designer kitchen and entertaining terrace, as well as a two-bedroom apartment with a separate entrance, offering the flexibility of a fully self-contained holiday rental. A highlight is the ground-floor pool area, which includes a generous freestanding garden studio, perfect for weekend guests or a teen retreat, and a poolside rumpus, bathroom and state-of-the-art sauna. Queensland: Five-star sustainability and luxury in the Gold Coast hinterland Boasting a five-star energy rating, this contemporary, four-bedroom, four-bathroom eco-luxury residence in the Gold Coast hinterland, serves up the very best in both design and innovation. Every detail has been meticulously curated across its 581m2 single-level footprint, including oversized skylights, supersized solar systems, microinverter technology, Tesla batteries, and carefully selected finishes to enhance its sustainability. Highlights include two 2-metre skylights, separated by an Oslo stone feature wall with double-sided wood fireplace, an acoustic media room and a light-filled private courtyard which leads to a stylish sauna. This stunning home at 33 Monday Drive, Tallebudgera Valley, is just 12 minutes from Burleigh. PRD Burleigh Heads are accepting offers above $6 million. South Australia: A Nordic sauna completes this beachfront haven With its own private jetty and uninterrupted views across the bay, beachfront living doesn't get much better than at 10 Pelican Court, Coffin Bay on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula. Completely transformed through a meticulous renovation, this immaculate four-bedroom, three-bathroom home exudes classic coastal style combined with premium finishes throughout. The interior combines spacious open-plan living and floor-to-ceiling glazing to draw in natural light and frame the spectacular ocean views. While outdoors boasts a private entertaining area, featuring a built-in BBQ and wood heater, ideal for sunset dinners, a detached self-contained one-bedroom unit, and a Nordic sauna for the ultimate in coastal wellness. Western Australia: Cottesloe home comes with salon-quality spa room Positioned just 250 metres from one of Perth's most popular beaches, this sprawling family home merges world-class wellness amenities with phenomenal scale, extravagant finishes and functional family living over three luxurious levels, all serviced by a six-person lift. With six bedrooms and six bathrooms, ocean views and a heated mineral feature pool it is not surprising this exclusive home at 17 Warton St, Cottesloe has been listed with a price guide of $10m-12m. With no expense spared, it may also come as no surprise that the jaw-dropping residence also features an eight-car garage, a games room and cellar and a salon-quality spa room with a dedicated massage area, powder room, jacuzzi with jet showers and a luxurious sauna.
Canberra Times
11-06-2025
- Canberra Times
This architecturally-designed home comes with its own wellness retreat
Private spa or family home? For one lucky buyer it will be both. Inside this architecturally-designed Brighton property is a personal wellness retreat. Private spa or family home? For one lucky buyer it will be both. Pic: Supplied. Designed by award-winning Melbourne-based studio, Martin Friedrich Architects, 34 Were Street features a complete wellness centre for buyers looking for the ultimate private spa experience. The wellness facilities include a double-height, glass-sided heated indoor pool, spa, sauna, steam room, fully equipped gym and yoga/pilates retreat with a sunken courtyard. VIEW LISTING:34 Were Street, Brighton, VIC The listing states the sale is "a rare and unrivalled opportunity to own Bayside's ultimate luxury retreat." No need to make another yoga or spa appointment ever. The home features a complete wellness centre for buyers looking for the ultimate private spa experience. Pic: Supplied. Located only 400 metres from Brighton's sandy shores, the exceptional home offers an unmatched blend of design innovation, family functionality and elite craftsmanship. With a price guide of $16.9 million to $18.45 million, the property is well within the luxury homes category - a market that is up 72 per cent from 10 years ago. The sale is "a rare and unrivalled opportunity to own Bayside's ultimate luxury retreat." Pic: Supplied. Spread over four levels, and serviced by a glass lift, the home features exceptional interior design including soaring ceilings, sculptural curved walls and a seamless flow throughout. The heart of the home is a vast open-plan living, dining and entertainment space, anchored by a striking 3.3-metre marble-clad gas fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling sheer blinds and bespoke pendant lighting add warmth and ambiance to the space. The space is anchored by a striking 3.3-metre marble-clad gas fireplace. Pic: Supplied. The gourmet kitchen and butler's pantry is a chef's dream, boasting top-tier appliances by Sub-Zero, Gaggenau and Pitt, and set against marble countertops with timber veneer joinery. Designed to complement both work and play, the property includes a home office, second workspace and private library. The gourmet kitchen and butler's pantry is a chef's dream. Pic: Supplied. For those keen on entertaining, an alfresco area features a fully integrated BBQ, north-facing landscaped gardens by Cos Design, cosy firepit and even a half basketball court. The rooftop terrace offers a show stopping retreat, complete with panoramic bay-to-city views and a second BBQ zone, perfect for sunset entertaining or quiet evenings admiring the view. Each bedroom features its own private ensuite. Pic: Supplied. Upstairs, a main suite features a bespoke dressing room and luxurious ensuite. Each of the other four bedrooms has its own ensuite, including a ground-floor suite with private courtyard. The property is located on a corner-block, close to local schools, shops, restaurants and public transport. A half basketball court for those keen on fitness and play. Pic: Supplied. 34 Were Street, Brighton is currently listed for sale by Winston Loa and Maryam Hezareh from IQI Victoria. The price guide is $16.9 million to $18.45 million.
Canberra Times
02-06-2025
- Canberra Times
What the Federal Government's solar rebates mean and how to cut your power bills
WATCH: Where Aussie Airbnb hosts earn THE MOST | | 7NEWS The Federal Government's new solar battery rebate, announced as part of the 2025 Budget, is an important piece of the puzzle that is Australia's energy transition and quest for Net Zero by 2050. While one in three Australian homes currently have solar panels, shockingly, only one in forty is equipped with a battery. That's about to change. Slimline batteries are unobtrusive and blend into your home. Pic Solar Battery Group From 01 July, the new scheme gives eligible households across Australia a 30 per cent upfront discount on solar batteries, unlocking long-term power bill savings, helping to reduce grid pressure, and supporting the country's carbon-neutral mission. But, what does the rebate really mean for Australian homeowners and how does the scheme fit into the bigger picture? To find out, View reporter Jessica Agoston Cleary did a deep dive into the research and talked to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Solar Battery Group, James Hetherington. As the man in charge of the largest solar battery provider in Australia, Hetherington is not only an expert on the topic, he's also firmly committed to making energy sustainable and affordable. Here's what you need to know. How much could you save? The new scheme "is a win for family budgets and for the country's energy transition," Mr Hetherington says. "The savings are significant. A family with a 5kW solar system and a 10kWh battery can trim grid usage by about 60 to 80 per cent. At today's tariffs, that's roughly $2,300 a year." What's equally as impressive is that the benefit appears from the very first quarterly bill - provided usage habits remain consistent. These savings go beyond reductions in your power bill. Having lower energy costs translates into an increase in disposable income, which is always a good thing in today's economy. According to an LBL report, even a $100 drop in annual energy costs leads to a 2.3 per cent drop in mortgage default odds. How does the rebate work? Unlike state-based schemes, the Federal Government's rebate applies at the point of sale. . "From 1 July 2025 the accredited installer applies the 30 per cent Federal discount; you see the price reduction on your invoice and the installer later redeems the value," Mr Hetherington says. This makes it simpler and more immediate than many state incentives, which typically provide fixed rebates or interest-free loans after installation. The Federal solar scheme is national, uncapped, and percentage-based, with a one batter per household limit. Can I combine it with state incentives? The short answer that we all want to hear is yes! "The Commonwealth has designed the new rebate to be 'stackable'," Mr Hetherington confirms. "In Victoria, New South Wales or Western Australia, for example, you may add the 30 per cent discount to your state rebate or loan, provided the combined support does not exceed the installed cost." It's important to note that while the battery rebate scheme is 'stackable', the other available incentives and schemes vary from state to state. To find out more about how to maximise your savings visit your state government website. Against natural timber cladding the batteries may stand out more but theyre part of sustainable design choices. Pic Solar Battery Group Who's eligible - and what are the common traps? Eligibility for the scheme is broad, with owner-occupiers, landlords and small businesses connected to the grid able to access the rebate, as long as they install an approved battery between 5kWh and 100kWh with a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer. As with any new government scheme, there are a few misconceptions floating around. "Retrospective claims on existing batteries are not allowed," Mr Hetherington cautions. He also points out that "taking the Federal rebate does not cancel your state incentive." What are people asking - and what should they be asking? Since the announcement, Solar Battery Group has seen inquiries triple. Most callers want to know how cheap a battery can be. But Hetherington says the better questions to ask are: "What is my evening usage profile? What is the warranty of batteries? Can the system join a virtual power plant?" For those new to the solar conversation, a virtual power plant (VPP) probably sounds more like science fiction than reality. However, there are numerous VPP's around the country. In Victoria, for example, more than 700,000 households use solar energy. Essentially, a VPP creates a microgrid. By connecting individual household batteries in an energy-sharing network, small amounts of surplus energy are fed back into the network for use by others in the community. This not only helps balance out supply and demand on the electricity grid, it also reduces individual power bills as you can even be paid for your contribution. WATCH: What is a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)? | Solar Victoria Asking the questions Mr etherington suggested, together with finding out if your community has a VPP, will help to determine the real-world performance and revenue potential of your solar energy system. What kind of system does a typical home need? The right size depends on your night-time energy usage and the capacity of your solar panels. The most important factor is that your battery is able to store every kilowatt of precious energy your solar panels generate so that none of it gets lost. "Most families would require a 10kWh unit, which after the rebate, allows us to bring our prices down to $5,000," Mr Hetherington says. Solar Battery Group's batteries feature integrated smart technology to monitor usage, and their team of dedicated agents are available to help homeowners understand and optimise their systems. There are also a number of great resources and tips for optimising your solar energy system at Smaller batterys can be easily mounted to any external wall. Pic Solar Battery Group When will I break even? As with anything to do with property, return on investment (ROI) is always top of mind, and thanks to the rebate, payback periods have shortened dramatically. "Most households can expect a return on investment in three to four years," Mr Hetherington says. "Well within the 10-year product warranty and well before the battery's 15-year expected lifespan." How can I check I'm not being misled? "Make sure you do your research," Mr Hetherington says. "Start by understanding your power consumption and current solar generation. Then check the Clean Energy Council approved suppliers and products list and speak to a certified installer." Once again, has some excellent guides and resources about making the switch to solar. From installation, maintenance, figuring out what size system you need, to estimating your cost savings. Beyond bills: what else can a battery do for me? The benefits of having a solar battery storage system go well beyond cutting costs. "Black-out resilience, the ability to join virtual power plants and earn credits, readiness for EV charging, higher property value, and a lower carbon footprint," Mr Hetherington says. "It also eases peak-demand pressure on the grid." As already noted, energy-efficient homes command a premium sale price, which is music to any property owner's ears. But, there are far greater benefits to owning and living in an energy efficient, sustainable home. As noted on prefab modular home website Ecolive, "A sustainable energy efficient home provides lifestyle benefits, such as cross-ventilation, north-facing orientation, heat recovery ventilation, and solar panels." Track usage and monitor savings digitally. Pic Solar Battery Group Is now the right time to act? There are two ways to look at answering this question. On a larger, macro level, as part of the Paris Agreement, Australia has set itself the goal of being Net Zero by 2050. As stated by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, "A strong Australian contribution to emissions reduction helps in the global effort to reduce major environmental, health and economic risks from the dangerous effects of climate change. This global effort is essential to protecting Australia from the worst climate impacts." You might be thinking 'I'm all for playing my part, but what impact will transitioning to solar really have in the grand scheme of things?" You'd be surprised. On a micro level, the impact of individual household choices has a significant part to play. "Residential buildings are responsible for around 24 per cent of overall electricity use and more than 10 per cent of total carbon emissions in Australia." The time to act is now, and there is no time like the present - especially when it comes to climate change and taking full advantage of government incentives. "Early adopters capture the full 30 per cent discount; the percentage tapers down each year to 2030," Mr Hetherington says. With 2050 just 25 years away, winter bills looming and installer demand set to spike, getting your ducks in a row - such as working out your energy needs and doing your due diligence on installers - will put you in the perfect position to maximise savings and realise the multifaceted ROI benefits as soon as July first arrives.
