Rare architectural gem sells on Gold Coast

ONE of the finest homes on the entire Gold Coast, in the blue-chip haven of Paradise Waters, has just been sold off market to a local businessman for a price believed around $8M through Ray White Surfers Paradise agent Michael Willems.

The house at 22-24 Admiralty Drive, Paradise Waters was designed by American architect Edward Larrabee Barnes and originally built for the Matsushita family of the Panasonic Electronics empire.

During his long career, architect Barnes - with his wife Mary Barnes as interior designer - designed office buildings, museums, botanical gardens, private houses, churches, schools, camps, colleges, campus planning, and housing.

Many of his buildings are widely recognised today, including the Dallas Museum of Art, Walker Art Center, and the IBM Building at 590 Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

Barnes’ only Australian house and it’s an example of linear architecture which is functional yet stylish, providing privacy from the street while maximising wide river views.

“Although I only do commercial property sales now, I still get asked regularly if I could sell a client’s home. I came out of the woodwork for an off market deal on this one, .negotiating it for a loyal buyer and seller,” Mr Willems said.

The big bold timber doors lead into the vast front garden, which features an expanse of lawn around a graceful Poinciana tree.

The home is shielded from public view by a high wall, and the grounds are as ideal for large-scale entertaining as it is for children's play. Covering 1,351sqm of prime riverfront land, this substantial and unrivalled residence is, above all, a home.

Design features massive steel beams, wide timber-lined eaves
Lustrous Carrara marble features throughout in flooring, bathrooms and kitchen
Five king-sized bedrooms with six bathrooms plus powder room
Positioned overlooking the expansive water of the 6 knot zone of Jaraparilla Cove
Riverfront master suite incorporating study looks out to waterfront and city skyline
Separate dressing rooms and marble-tiled ensuites
Indoor 12-metre fully tiled saltwater swimming pool for all seasons
Integrated entertainment system throughout, ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning
CCTV security, vacumaid, lock-up garaging for six cars plus off-street parking
Waterside boathouse and games room with storage