Jamie Durie considers $30 million off-market offer for six-storey family home
It took a decade of planning and a two-year build for the gardening guru to construct a lavish six-storey dream home for his family in Sydney's Northern Beaches.
After facing "huge budget blowouts, rising interest rates, and massive construction costs", Durie and his fiancée, Ameka Jane, and their two young children, Beau and Nash, finally moved into the property earlier this year.
Despite living in the home for less than six months, Durie is reportedly considering selling the ultra-luxe property after receiving an offer that could be too good to refuse.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the landscaping expert and TV show host received an off-market offer in the range of $30 million for the sprawling Avalon mansion.
"We've spent 10 years planning and building our family home, and we love it," Durie, 55, told the publication.
"We received an unexpected offer in the mid $30 million and are now warming to the idea of spending some time on our hobby farm with the kids while they are young."
The lucrative offer towers above the initial cost of the site, which he purchased in December 2015 for $2.275 million.
The 1069 square-metre waterfront block had an existing 1970s four-bedroom beach house, with access to Pittwater and views across to West Head.
It was demolished to make way for a sustainable "forever home " built at a reported cost of $3 million.
The property is not on the market, but Durie told The Daily Telegraph he is toying with the idea of looking at other off-market offers.
"We have not listed or advertised the home but have asked McGrath to manage any off-market offers moving forward, and we remain open-minded either way, as we love living here," he said.
Described by Durie as "sympathetic and responsive to the topography of the site", the house takes in vast water views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
The home features bespoke joinery with brass fixtures, high ceilings with opulent pendant lighting and a showstopping internal timber staircase in the living room.
Wellness features include a home gym, cedar outdoor ice bath, a sauna and an infinity pool.
Durie used his green thumb to create lush gardens across every level, with hanging plants cascading down the property's exterior.
The project faced challenges throughout the process.
An original development application (DA) was rejected over a proposal to remove 17 native trees, and sparked backlash with more than 50 objections to the Northern Beaches Council.
This proposal was scaled back to 11 trees.
The project was documented on the Channel 7 TV show Growing Home with Jamie Durie, which captured the ups and downs Durie and Ameka went through during the renovation.
According to the official site, Durie intended to build the most sustainable and luxurious home for his family.
"After 26 years making TV shows all over the world, this is the show I've always wanted to make, and if we're creating a show around sustainability, then my family and I need to do it first and practice what we preach," he said.
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