Latest news with #GlitterStrip
Courier-Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Airport richlister pays $17m for beachfront holiday pad
An airport magnate has paid nearly $17m for a first-class seat in one of Australia's hottest beachfront markets. The owner of Australia's only privately funded airport, John Wagner, has been revealed as the buyer of a luxe holiday home in the 'Billionaire's Row' of the Gold Coast, as beachfront property prices continue to take off. Records show the Queensland businessman has forked out $16.75m for the four-level, six-bedroom house in Hedges Ave house, Mermaid Beach. RELATED: Glitter Strip developer sells family mansion in beachfront deal That's almost double what the vendor, Azzura Group boss Roberto Badalotti, purchased the property for in 2007. Kollosche principal Michael Kollosche and agent Harry Kakavas sealed the sale of the Hedges Ave pad, described in the listing as 'the pinnacle of luxury'. Mr Kakavas would not disclose the buyer's identity at the time of sale, but confirmed the property was purchased by 'an extremely well-known family' as a holiday home. MORE: Banks quash interest rate frenzy Culture Kings founders' bold $30m push Records now show that family was none other than the Wagner family family behind the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, west of Brisbane. The Wagner family is worth about $1.1 billion and its latest foray in Toowoomba is a sustainable fuels business joint venture that plans to develop a facility to turn waste-based feedstocks into sustainable aviation fuel. The fuel could be used for flights in and out of Wellcamp. The airport and surrounding land including a business park, trade, aerospace and defence zones, form the basis of the Wagners' wealth, along with the ASX-listed Wagner Holding Co building materials company. 'The beachfront is going from strength to strength because of the limited supply,' Mr Kakavas told News Corp. 'The rich are getting richer, and the rich want what they want. They want beachfront and they are prepared to pay a premium for it when it does become available.' Mr Kakavas said the buyer particularly valued the corner position of the 405 sqm lot with 10m waterfrontage offering direct access to the sand and stunning ocean views. Highlights of the mansion's four-level floorplan include open-plan living spaces leading out to an al fresco deck, an internal lift, luxurious master bedroom and ensuite with a freestanding tub overlooking the beach, sauna and steam room, library and home theatre with bar. There's also a temperature-controlled wine cellar, gym and basement garage, as well as an impressive kitchen fitted out with Miele appliances, stone island bench, and a large butler's pantry. 'Meticulously rejuvenated, every aspect of the property exudes luxury, with premium finishes such as travertine, marble, Onyx, and Venetian plaster,' the listing stated. 'The design seamlessly marries natural beauty with modern functionality, offering spaces crafted for lavish entertaining and tranquil relaxation.' Mr Wagner has been steadily building up his property portfolio in recent years, with records showing he bought a property with ocean views in Surfers Paradise in 2022 for $4.6m, and a Brisbane CBD unit in 2023 for $3m.
Herald Sun
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Yellow Brick goes agonisingly close to fairytale upset in Stradbroke Handicap
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Queensland hero Yellow Brick almost pulled one of the great fairytale upsets in recent Stradbroke Handicap history but the $41 roughie was narrowly outgunned by favourite War Machine in the $3m race at Eagle Farm on Saturday. It was a bittersweet moment for father-and-daughter trainers Tony and Maddy Sears, who were proud of Yellow Brick's incredible effort but the moment was tinged with some sadness given they came so close to jagging the $1.8m winner's cheque. But they will settle for $540,000 in prizemoney as the runner-up in Queensland's premier race run on a good track on a sunny day in Brisbane. Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! The Straddie is 1400m but if it was run over 1500m on Saturday, the Sears would be popping the champagne corks because Yellow Brick, with Andrew Mallyon on board, was starting to wear down War Machine ($2.65) approaching the winning post. Tony Sears said he was incredibly proud of Maddy, who had been training Yellow Brick at the pair's Gold Coast stables before he joined his daughter on the Glitter Strip just two weeks ago. • 'The boys have done it': Hayes proud of sons' landmark Stradbroke success 'I'm more proud of Maddysen than the horse,' he said. 'She's done a great job getting him ready. 'I've only been down the Gold Coast for two weeks. She's defied all the odds. People think he wasn't going very well but we knew he was going well. 'I backed him. We honestly thought he could win. He's just got to be ridden quiet like that. 'It was unbelievable, she's done a great job with him.' Maddy Sears said after the race she was 'speechless'. 'He was tremendous,' she said about Yellow Brick, who last won in a $160,000 Listed race over 1400m at Eagle Farm in October. 'That was the favourite (War Machine) in the race and he gave him a fair headstart at the top of the straight. 'He was the widest runner and he had to do things the hard way but I couldn't be any prouder.' This week Maddy Sears compared five-year-old gelding Yellow Brick to a Labrador Retriever because he 'loves to be the centre of attention'. And although the spoils of victory went to War Machine and Lindsay Park, Yellow Brick sure grabbed his share of attention. • What the jockeys said: 2025 Stradbroke Handicap Meanwhile, champion jockey Craig Williams said another Queensland hero, old warrior Rothfire, was 'gallant' in finishing seventh for trainer Rob Heathcote, who would have preferred a softer track. The seven-year-old Rothfire had battled a hoof injury for the past 10 days after suffering an untimely stone bruise and was lucky to even make the prestigious race. 'From the outside barrier draw he gave me a beautiful ride from there,' Williams said about the 2020 JJ Atkins champion. 'I got on the back of the eventual winner. He travelled so well but the winner was too good for us late. 'He just got a bit tired today and as Rob Heathcote said, he didn't have the ideal preparation.' Originally published as Yellow Brick goes agonisingly close to fairytale upset in Stradbroke Handicap
News.com.au
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Jaw-dropping ‘Goldywood' estate is back on the market
A jaw-dropping luxury estate used to accommodate actors shooting at nearby film studios is back on the market. The sprawling property at 36 Jenkins Court, Upper Coomera is priced at more than $8m and marketed by Amir Prestige agents, Alex and Victoria Fleri. It's been on and off the market for the past five years since being transformed into a private retreat fit for film stars. The current owners spent close to $3m on the rebuild after purchasing the property as a deceased estate for $1.2m in 2016. Anchored by a contemporary five-bedroom, four-bathroom home, the estate commands breathtaking 360-degree views stretching from Brisbane to northern New South Wales, and showcasing the glittering lights of the Gold Coast skyline. Features include a basketball court, infinity pool and spa, tennis court, firepit, commercial-grade gym and yoga garden, along with a recently upgraded professional recording studio. The estate has doubled as a home away from home for visiting actors shooting film productions in the region. The nearby Village Roadshow Studios comprises world-class facilities and has hosted productions including Nautilus, Aquaman, San Andreas, and Unbroken, while the city itself has earned the nickname 'Goldywood' for its local investment into the film industry. The home includes five large bedrooms including an opulent master suite along with three renovated bathrooms and a powder room, plus a media room and fireplace lounge. Illuminated waterfall stone benchtops in the kitchen anchor expansive living areas, flowing onto a vast covered terrace. Mr Fleri – who moonlights as an actor and film producer himself – confirmed Aussie screen veteran and Gladiator star Russell Crowe was among actors who had stayed at the Jenkins Court estate. Oscar-winner Crowe stars in the upcoming thriller Bear Country, shooting on the Gold Coast this year and marking a return to the Glitter Strip for the award-winning Aussie actor, who also appeared in Land of Bad, another local production filmed in 2022 with Luke and Liam Hemsworth. Builder's marvel named Aus hottest home One of the Hemsworth brothers is also understood to have stayed at the property. 'The location within a secure gated estate provides the openness of an acreage while being ensconced in privacy, and then of course there's the view, the quality and inclusions of the home itself and the lifestyle that comes with it,' Mr Fleri said. 'With the basketball and the tennis courts, all of the property's features create the luxury vibe that is comparable to the Hollywood Hills lifestyle, and that is why it is a drawcard for the Village Roadshow guestlist.' Mr Fleri said the owners had maintained a close relationship with the location hunters and studio executives, and would also be positioned within easy reach of a new screen production facility planned for Yatala, between the Coast and Brisbane. The property is marketed via an expressions of interest campaign.
