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International buyers eyeing grand country estate after multi-million price drop

The Southern Highlands estate still has a big price tag.
Brendan Crabb, Illawarra Mercury Property ReporterBy Brendan Crabb, Illawarra Mercury Property Reporter
The property has a current guide in the low $30 million range.

International buyers eyeing grand country estate after multi-million price drop

The Southern Highlands estate still has a big price tag.
Brendan Crabb, Illawarra Mercury Property ReporterBy Brendan Crabb, Illawarra Mercury Property Reporter

A grand property in the Southern Highlands featuring multiple residences and equine facilities remains on the market.

This follows the recent sale of another high-end property in the same suburb.

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The 38.94-hectare 'Paloma Estate' at 470 Fountaindale Road, Robertson recently experienced a drop in the asking price.

Read more: 'Emotion and momentum': Buyers vie for home in popular Coniston street

The property features a three-bedroom main residence, a three-bedroom cottage and two self-contained studios.

Cotality records show the property was listed for sale in early 2024, initially with a price guide of $40 million.

The property is owned by former Crown chairman and chief executive John Alexander and wife Alice, who records show bought the property in 2010. The property is in her name.

Read more: 'Sellers were motivated': Buyers negotiate under the hammer for Wollongong apartment

The 38.94-hectare 'Paloma Estate' at Robertson is on the market.
The 38.94-hectare 'Paloma Estate' at Robertson is on the market. Credit: View

At the time, the property contained an original cottage, which the current owners renovated, before undertaking extensive work on the remainder of the property.

Selling agent, Monique Napper from Atlas said there had been plenty of international buyer interest in the property, which has been featured in New York's Wallpaper magazine.

Ms Napper said the current guide was in the low $30 million range, based on buyer feedback.

The property features a three-bedroom main residence, a three-bedroom cottage and two self-contained studios.
The property features a three-bedroom main residence, a three-bedroom cottage and two self-contained studios. Credit: View

Ms Napper said high-end lifestyle properties can take some time to find the right buyer.

"It's an amazing property, a beautiful estate," she said.

"It's like the 'Gaia' of the Southern Highlands... It has these beautiful studios, meditation studios, and amazing residences."

Designed by Fearon Hay Architects and Myles Baldwin Landscapes, the property captures sweeping views.

The property features equestrian facilities including six-bay timber stables, arena, round yard, timber post and rail fenced paddocks, and six dams.
The property features equestrian facilities including six-bay timber stables, arena, round yard, timber post and rail fenced paddocks, and six dams. Credit: View

The estate is a fully self-sustaining property that runs 100 per cent off-grid. It features its own water catchment system and a solar battery plant that is claimed to be the first of its kind to be installed in Australia.

Ms Napper said the property was "very secluded" in addition to being run off-grid. She said interested buyers liked the appeal of living 100 per cent self-sustainably.

Meanwhile, the property features a main residence; a glass, concrete and steel build.

Paloma Estate is a fully self-sustaining property that runs 100 per cent off-grid.
Paloma Estate is a fully self-sustaining property that runs 100 per cent off-grid. Credit: View

It contains two luxe master suites with Italian marble ensuites; a northeast-facing living room with a fireplace; a private library wing; a third bedroom plus powder room; and outdoor entertaining areas with koi ponds and sculptural elements. There's also a gourmet kitchen.

There's also a three-bedroom English countryside cottage with a glasshouse, orchard, and vegetable gardens.

The property also contains a studio with two one-bedroom suites with ensuites; another studio that's suitable for use as an open-plan retreat for creative or meditative use; and equestrian facilities including six-bay timber stables, an arena, round yard, timber post and rail fenced paddocks, and six dams.

'Paloma' features a three-bedroom main residence, a three-bedroom cottage and two self-contained studios.
'Paloma' features a three-bedroom main residence, a three-bedroom cottage and two self-contained studios. Credit: View

Meanwhile, 'Linden Hall', located at 166 McEvilly Road, Robertson recently sold for $26 million after an extended period on the market.

Located on a hill with sweeping views over the surrounding countryside, the two-storey mansion sits on 186 acres.

'Linden Hall' had been the trophy home of former restaurateurs and Sydney developers David Graham and David Kunde.

Co-selling agent, Lisa-Marie Cauchois from Drew Lindsay Sotheby's International Realty recently said she was unable to comment on the buyer, other than to reveal they were from Sydney.

Ms Napper said while Paloma and Linden Hall weren't really comparable properties in many ways, this result was a positive for the high-end market in the suburb and region overall.