Prepare to get jealous. A landmark estate in Sydney’s Hills District, featuring a tennis court, dam, a garage for 10 cars, and a luxurious downstairs “wellness retreat” with an indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna, and gym, is set to hit the market. This Glenhaven property, owned by the family behind the renowned Allam Property Group, could potentially break sales records when it goes on sale next week.
The property, known as “Petalinda,” last changed hands in 2019 for $8.8 million, but it previously set a record in 2015 with a $9 million sale, marking the highest price ever paid for a home in the Hills District at that time. The estate was purchased by the late property developer Barney Allam OAM, who passed away last year. Allam was a pivotal figure in the Australian construction industry, having founded Allam Property Group in 1991 and growing it into one of the nation’s top five builders.
A Home of Distinction
The selling agency, Merc Real Estate, has announced that the property will be available “via expressions of interest,” with no price guide released. Mechlenne Douaihy, the agent handling the sale, remained discreet about the expected sales price but noted that the property attracted interest from numerous celebrities and wealthy individuals during its last sale in 2019.
Local sources suggest that the Gilmour Rd home could set a new benchmark for property prices in the rapidly developing Hills District. The current record for the region is held by a six-bedroom acreage in Middle Dural, which sold for $15 million in July.
Luxury and Innovation
The 1.9-hectare Glenhaven estate, sprawling over five acres, boasts a 14-person sauna, a commercial-grade bar, a 23-meter indoor pool, a tennis court, and a gymnasium. The house itself is spread over three levels, featuring six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Its state-of-the-art security system includes fingerprint scanning technology and comprehensive security camera coverage.
Agent Douaihy highlighted the meticulous landscaping as a standout feature of the property, noting the presence of numerous sculptures and rare trees. “This home is the most talked about, most iconic home in the district,” she said. “I haven’t seen anything like it in 22 years of working in real estate.”
Historical Significance
The property has a storied history, having changed hands multiple times in the 2010s. It was previously owned by restaurateur Frank Criniti, who sold it for $9 million in 2015. That sale included high-end furnishings such as an $89,000 Gucci trunk, a $22,000 Hermes chair, and a $120,000 wine cellar. Two years later, the property sold again, this time for $7 million, without the luxury inclusions.
“This home is the most talked about, most iconic home in the district,” said Ms. Douaihy. “I haven’t seen anything like it in 22 years of working in real estate.”
The upcoming sale of “Petalinda” represents not just a potential financial milestone but also a reflection of the evolving luxury real estate market in Sydney’s Hills District. As the area continues to grow and attract affluent buyers, properties like this one set the tone for future developments.
As the market eagerly awaits the sale, the outcome could have significant implications for property values in the region, further cementing the Hills District’s reputation as a desirable location for luxury living.
