53-55 Stella Pl, Bonogin
An expat family has splashed a record-breaking $13.5 million on a Gold Coast Hinterland mansion, nearly doubling the previous suburb benchmark.
The sale of the newly built architectural showpiece at 53-55 Stella Pl, Bonogin smashed the area’s previous $7m residential record, set last year for a 3ha luxury estate formerly owned by ex-rugby player turned controversial payday lender Mark Swanepoel.
Originally priced between $11 and $12m, the record deal was sealed after the sellers, local builder-developers Mitchell and Felicity Micallef, agreed to include an adjoining vacant block at 49 Stella Pl, creating a sprawling triple-block estate.
The home has an infinity pool complete with firepit feature
The inclusion expanded the holding to a massive 1.26ha hillside parcel, equating to a land rate of $1,068 per square metre.
The Micallefs had previously subdivided a large swathe of land in the suburb with a view to future high-end projects.
Selling agent Dijana Speak, of WhiteFox, said the result was a watershed moment for the local market.
Stunning stone benches, and a butler’s pantry bigger than most kitchens
“The result helped set a new precedent for prestige living across the Gold Coast Hinterland,” Ms Speak said.
“Homes of this calibre, like Buddy Franklin’s mansion Villa Casa [in Reedy Creek] which sold for $10.5m, are shaping a new era of luxury living in the area.
“Buyers are recognising the value and appeal of high-quality homes throughout the region, and particularly properties like this combining scale, privacy and exceptional finishes.”
The buyer, returning to Australia from the US, was represented by Ed Cherry, of Coastal Property Agents, who first listed the home.
An effortless flow between indoor and outdoor living
Ms Speak said the buyers were drawn to the home’s family-oriented design and proximity to elite private schools, including Somerset, Hillcrest, and Kings Christian colleges.
“The sellers designed the home with long-term family living in mind, creating a lifestyle compound that could evolve through every stage of life while still delivering a level of luxury and finish rarely seen in the Hinterland market,” she said.
Named El Fin, the Hollywood Hills-style three-level estate, designed by Emil Kucevic of EMK Architecture, has six bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a nine-car garage.
Architectural detail over three levels
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Features include a stone kitchen with massive butler’s pantry, infinity pool with sunken firepit, a 120-inch 4K home cinema, backlit cocktail bar and wine cellar, a games arcade, a gym with a sauna and plunge pool, and a dreamy rooftop terrace.
A fully self-contained guest suite also hit the mark for the buyers.
The Micallefs, who own MJW Building Worx and Haus of JWT, spent 18 months building El Fin as their dream home before deciding to sell.
An entertainer’s dream, complete with cocktail bar and a backlit spirits wall
“We built this as the home our boys would grow up in. The pool, the cinema, the games room, the rooftop, the space to run — it was everything we dreamed of,” Mr Micallef said when the home first hit the market.
“But we fell in love with the process of creating it. We want to build again. That’s the only reason we’re selling.”
Ms Micallef added: “Every corner of this house was designed for connection — family dinners, parties, weekends with friends. It’s been pure joy living here.”
English (US) · 