Celebrity gardener and television presenter Jamie Durie is poised for a monumental financial gain as his spectacular, custom-built waterfront mansion in Sydney's Northern Beaches prepares to go to auction. The property, a labour of love that took ten years to plan and construct, is expected to fetch between $27 million and $29 million when it hits the market in March.
A Decade in the Making: From Cottage to Mega-Mansion
Durie, 55, originally purchased the Avalon Beach site for $2.27 million in 2015. The plot was then home to a modest 1960s four-bedroom cottage, which was subsequently demolished to make way for his grand vision. Alongside his fiancée, Ameka Jane, and their two young children, Durie embarked on an ambitious project to create a sustainable 'forever home', investing $3 million and a decade into the design and construction process.
The result is a sprawling, six-bedroom, six-bathroom residence that Durie has described as 'innovative, sympathetic and responsive to the topography of the site'. The lavish multi-level home boasts premium amenities including a pool, a gym, and a media room, all built with environmental principles at its core. The family finally moved into the completed property in November of last year.
Unexpected Offer Prompts Change of Heart
The decision to sell comes after the family received an unsolicited private offer for the property last year, reported to be in the mid-$30 millions. This unexpected approach made Durie and Jane reconsider their plans. "We received an unexpected offer in the mid $30million and are now warming to the idea of spending some time on our hobby farm with the kids while they are young," Durie explained.
This shift in focus aligns with Durie's 2023 purchase of a $3.6 million 'hobby farm' in the Byron Bay hinterland. The TV star, who also has a 26-year-old daughter, Taylor, from a previous relationship, acknowledged the immense strain the lengthy build placed on his family, admitting to Woman's Day, "It's been the toughest project I have ever taken on in my whole life."
Sustainability and Scrutiny: The Build's Complex Legacy
Durie chronicled the final three-year construction phase in his documentary-style show, Growing Home, which he framed as a 'Trojan horse of sustainability' aimed at promoting eco-conscious building. "I've always wanted to make a show that focuses on sustainable building, not just in the home but in gardens," he stated, emphasising his desire to practice what he preached.
However, the path to completion was not without significant hurdles. The development application for the waterfront estate faced more than 50 objections from local residents, though it was ultimately approved by the Northern Beaches Council in April 2022. Despite the challenges, Durie remained determined, creating a home designed to 'maximise everything we wanted out of a house without compromise' while minimising its environmental footprint.
With the auction scheduled for March, the sale of this Avalon Beach landmark will mark the end of a significant chapter for the Durie-Jane family and potentially one of the most notable luxury property transactions in Sydney this year.
