Latest news with #JamesPacker
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Erica Packer and celebrity chef boyfriend Shannon Bennett have ended their romance
Erica Packer and her celebrity chef boyfriend Shannon Bennett have ended their romance. The mother of three and the part-time MasterChef judge are said to have split earlier this year. Friends say distance played a key role in the breakdown of the couple's 18-month union. Packer, the ex-wife of billionaire James Packer and the mother of his three children, lives in London having relocated to the UK with her children in 2023 to be closer to her sister. Melbourne-born Bennett, whose business Culinary Wonderland is based in Sydney, lives at Belongil Beach near Byron Bay. 'The distance was always going to be a challenge for them,' said one friend. A year ago Bennett admitted the then 46-year-old Erica was spending a fair bit of time travelling. 'She's really good. (Erica is) going back and forwards a lot. It's a fun and amazing adventure. It's amazing we haven't met earlier. We're loving life. I'm a very lucky man.' According to sources the travel became less 'fun and amazing' with the passage of time. Further complicating matters was the couple's combined brood of nine children.. Bennett has six children with former partner, ex Neighbours actor Madeleine West. The couple welcomed five daughters, Phoenix, Xascha, Xanthe, Xahlia and Margaux and a son, Hendrix, during their 13-year relationship, which ended in 2018 when their youngest children, twin daughters, were just two. The chef and onetime owner of Melbourne's Vue du Monde restaurant later told the Herald Sun the couple's six children live with him. Packer's three children, Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle are heirs to their businessman-investor father's billion-dollar fortune. The chef and the onetime model reportedly met at the wedding of Sydney chef Guillaume Brahimi and chicken heiress Tamie Ingham in Paris in June 2023. They managed to keep their love affair under the radar until photographers captured the entire clan cavorting together on a Byron Bay beach at Christmas in 2023.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Leo's Fine Food & Wine Kew sale linked to James Packer
Richlister James Packer and a Melbourne developer have joined forces to create a boutique residential and retail project at a well-known Kew supermarket site. Leo's Fine Food & Wine in Princess St has sold to the South Yarra-based luxury developer Orchard Piper, with billionaire Mr Packer also linked to the off-market deal. In addition, Leo's owner The Le Max Group have farewelled their Heidelberg supermarket in Burgundy St. Douglas Menzies Chambers sells for $23m in Melbourne CBD Commercial real estate agency LAWD representatives declined to comment on the sold prices but industry sources indicated the Kew supermarket was quoted in the $50m range and the Heidelberg site at circa $20m. The 6835sq m Kew supermarket is slated to close next year as plans for its future development get underway. The Le Max Group is led by Leo and Rose Blake, who founded their company in 1971. LAWD director of development transactions and advisory, Lukas Byrns, said the Melbourne-based Banco Group purchased the 6105sq m Heidelberg supermarket. 'They bought it as an investment, I think in the longer term they may potentially develop it,' Mr Byrns said. Banco Group's managing director is Mario Lo Giudice, brother to Carlton's former president Mark LoGiudice. Mr Byrns added that the two Leo's sites had attracted solid interest from a variety of buyers. 'We had interest from developers looking for to build-to-sell, build-to-rent, retirement, in addition to groups looking to reposition the existing retail stores,' he said. 'We've seen an influx of activity for well-located apartment sites in Melbourne recently, as developers position themselves to have apartment product to sell into an improving market within the next 12 months.' An Orchard Piper spokesman said they were working with architects Wardle and partner NPACT, 'on the early stages of planning a thoughtful, design-led urban renewal project that better utilises the site by providing a much-needed, cohesive, retail and residential offering for the area' at the Kew address. 'We recognise that Leo's is a much-loved local institution and, as part of the acquisition, intend to incorporate a fine produce offering that delivers the same quality and variety of groceries the community has long enjoyed,' Orchard Piper director Luke McKie said. The NPACT investment firm is heavily funded by Mr Packer and headed by former Crown Resorts strategy and development vice president Todd Nisbet. LAWD Paul Callanan and Peter Sagar had the listing alongside Mr Byrns, with Charter Keck Cramer's Tom Byrnes and Patrick McNulty acting as transaction advisers LAWD last week announced the sale a former timber supply and manufacturing centre at 224 Heidelberg Rd, Fairfield, to developer Cedar Woods for a reported $50m. And a consortium backed Mr Packer recently revealed plans to transform a Balwyn nursing home into a life-extending luxury apartment complex. A wellness retreat inspired by Hotel Chadstone that features a gym and mix of saunas, a curated library and reflection garden is planned for future residents. The former 52-bed Aveo aged care centre at 23 Maleela Ave, Balwyn, was bought by the NPACT.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Karl Stefanovic shows off his significant weight loss at event in Sydney as friends say he is 'looking the best he's looked in years'
Karl Stefanovic looked unrecognisable as he stepped out in Sydney on Tuesday evening. The Today Show presenter, 50, showed off his significant weight loss as he posed up with Real Housewives of Sydney star Krissy Marsh, 53, at an event. The TV star looked slender and dapper in a black sports coat worn over a white T-shirt, matching trousers and a pair of white trainers. The couple appeared chuffed to be in each other's company in the photo, with both Karl and Krissy beaming as they offered peace signs. Meanwhile, Krissy cut quite an elegant figure in a figure-hugging chocolate-coloured dress. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. It comes after Karl was the talk of Justin Hemmes' Silver Party last month. Fellow attendees thought the TV anchor was 'looking the best he's looked in years'. 'He didn't appear to be drinking and was being judicious with the canapés,' a source told Daily Mail Australia. Karl's new look comes after he revealed the moment he was told he needed to hit the gym by best mate James Packer. Appearing on The Kyle and Jackie O Show in November, he said he was left humbled after a picture of him revealing his 'dad bod' on the beach led the billionaire businessman to text him. 'There's a shot of me on Christmas Day or whatever coming out of the surf and it was bad,' Karl told hosts Jackie 'O' Henderson and Kyle Sandilands. 'James Packer sends me a note that says: "mate, you need to get your a**e to the gym".' Packer himself recently revealed he was still gaining weight despite admitting to being on Ozempic. If you're getting notes from Packer about that you know it's serious,' Kyle said. The photo in question was snapped in Byron Bay over the summer in 2019 when Karl was enjoying some downtime with Jasmine. Karl even shared the photo to Instagram, joking with followers he was pregnant. 'After a great deal of rumours are true,' Karl captioned the cheeky post. Jackie then asked Karl how he dealt with seeing such 'confronting images' and he said that while he was embarrassed, Jasmine had always been very supportive. 'I feel like it's a lot of embarrassment, but then my wife is always so good about it,' Karl said. Back in 2020, Karl pledged to lose 10 kilograms in 10 weeks on the Today show after tipping the scales at over 100kg. 'I started at 105kg, the heaviest I've ever been. It was incredibly embarrassing,' Karl said as he spoke to obesity expert Dr. Nick Fuller, who helped him on his fitness journey.
Daily Telegraph
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Barangaroo penthouse mystery deepens after $80m sale twist
Now the adjacent Crown Barangaroo penthouse has finally sold, the focus seems set to shift back to the mystery sale of the One Sydney Harbour penthouse. The One Sydney Harbour penthouse was exchanged in October 2019 for $140m plus, but it has yet to settle amid ongoing intrigue. Construction of the 89-storey Renzo Piano-designed tower was initially scheduled for late 2023 completion, with developer Lendlease registering the slightly-delayed strata plan in February last year. The highest registered purchase has been $38.95m to the Zhong family on the 76th floor. Back in 2019 it was reported the buyer of the three-level penthouse was a local Australian resident from mainland China. So presumably no issue therefore in meeting any Foreign Investment Review Board requirements. The lavish fit-out of the whopping 1980sq m could have understandably been delayed, but not by 16 months given Lendlease's credentials. Maybe the buyer is awaiting an auspicious day to settle, but The Sell senses settlement on apartment 88/88 Barangaroo Ave keeps getting pushed back. The reports on Lawrence Myer's 849sq m dual-level Crown penthouse purchase speculated it might have been offloaded in a 'structured' deal at under $80m and possibly as low as $70m. It is possible the discount secured by Myers, who is James Packer's right hand man at Consolidated Press, on its initial $100m asking price, could potentially disrupt any financing still required for the One Sydney Harbour penthouse deal. In 2019, Lendlease advised the deal included the penthouse and the sub-penthouse in one line. The two-storey penthouse broke the $100,000 per square metre barrier, with the third floor forming part of the overall home, but also able to function as a separate residence. In the meantime, after winning gold in the Australian Design Awards 2025, Lendlease elatedly announced that One Sydney Harbour recently won gold in the BETTER Future World Design Awards, a global recognition program. Another Sydney penthouse, in the Sirius complex, is mooted for imminent sale, but at a lot less than its initial $50m price hopes.
News.com.au
23-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Barangaroo penthouse mystery deepens after $80m sale twist
Now the adjacent Crown Barangaroo penthouse has finally sold, the focus seems set to shift back to the mystery sale of the One Sydney Harbour penthouse. The One Sydney Harbour penthouse was exchanged in October 2019 for $140m plus, but it has yet to settle amid ongoing intrigue. Construction of the 89-storey Renzo Piano-designed tower was initially scheduled for late 2023 completion, with developer Lendlease registering the slightly-delayed strata plan in February last year. The highest registered purchase has been $38.95m to the Zhong family on the 76th floor. Back in 2019 it was reported the buyer of the three-level penthouse was a local Australian resident from mainland China. So presumably no issue therefore in meeting any Foreign Investment Review Board requirements. The lavish fit-out of the whopping 1980sq m could have understandably been delayed, but not by 16 months given Lendlease's credentials. Maybe the buyer is awaiting an auspicious day to settle, but The Sell senses settlement on apartment 88/88 Barangaroo Ave keeps getting pushed back. The reports on Lawrence Myer's 849sq m dual-level Crown penthouse purchase speculated it might have been offloaded in a 'structured' deal at under $80m and possibly as low as $70m. It is possible the discount secured by Myers, who is James Packer's right hand man at Consolidated Press, on its initial $100m asking price, could potentially disrupt any financing still required for the One Sydney Harbour penthouse deal. In 2019, Lendlease advised the deal included the penthouse and the sub-penthouse in one line. The two-storey penthouse broke the $100,000 per square metre barrier, with the third floor forming part of the overall home, but also able to function as a separate residence. In the meantime, after winning gold in the Australian Design Awards 2025, Lendlease elatedly announced that One Sydney Harbour recently won gold in the BETTER Future World Design Awards, a global recognition program. Another Sydney penthouse, in the Sirius complex, is mooted for imminent sale, but at a lot less than its initial $50m price hopes.
