A sprawling crowd amassed in the Inner West on Saturday morning for the sale of a Newtown property formerly sold by the father of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a bid to raise funds to help free his son a decade ago.
The corner home at 36 Kent Street, Newtown is notable for its murals, mosaics, a spiral staircase and rooftop garden, was Assange’s father John Shipton’s former home.
Mr Shipton, a builder by trade, rebuilt the Newtown property in the 1990s after his partner Catherine Barber bought it for $130,000 in 1989.
Shipton told media in 2022 that a campaign to free Assange, holed up in the Ecuadorion embassy of London at the time, had “swallowed” all his money and that he had to sell the house in 2015.
Auctioneer Luke Evans of Cooley Auctioneers calls the winning bid of 36 Kent Street, Newtown
A crowd sprawled out onto the road
The opening bid began at $2.227m, above its guiding price of $2.1m.
The two registered bidders were represented by respective buyer’s agents, with the winning bidder present and the eventual underbidder on the phone as an interstate buyer.
Multiple bids of $10,000 to $50,000 dominated the rapid fire.
An eventual winning bid saw the home sell for $2.555m, a price over its undisclosed reserve.
Auctioneer Luke Evans of Cooley Auctioneers said the unique home was deserving of its result.
“It goes to show if you find the two right buyers you don’t really need the numbers, just quality over quantity,” he said.
Mr Evans afforded some insight into Sydney’s current market in relation to its traditional pre-Easter spike.
“If it’s presented well and it’s priced well you will get the interest,” he said.
“It’s not the sort of market where you can test the market above market value and still get interest, its very price sensitive.”
The Newtown home was the former home of Julian Assange’s father John Shipton
Listing Agent David Barndon of The Agency said the buyers were a younger couple who lived locally and were looking to buy something bigger in the area.
“My understanding is that they want to keep the integrity of the home,” he said.
“They fell in love with the house almost immediately and the same with the other buyer represented.”
Mr Barndon said the strong interest represented the unique opportunity of the home.
According to Mr Barndon, the strong competition was likely not factored by the home’s history.
“I don’t know whether or not that motivated them anymore ,” he said.
“I wouldn’t think so, I think it’s just more about the uniqueness of the property, the size, the location and what it had to offer.”
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The house is notable for its murals and mosaics
A spiral staircase affords residents and guests easy access to its rooftop garden
After a decade in the home, vendor Callum Bushby said it’s time for a new chapter.
“When I first saw the property advertised on Realestate.com.au and I remember it said ‘A work of art you can live in’,” Mr Bushby said.
“Behind the entry of this corner block sat a space that felt more like going through a museum than a conventional terrace or cottage.
“It’s a heartfelt move and I’d love to keep the place, but rather than rent it out, it feels like the right moment to share this exceptional space with someone who will appreciate both its history and its continued evolution as one of the most unique homes in the area.”
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14A Eastern Arterial Rd, St Ives
According to realestate.com, there were 948 auctions scheduled in Sydney this week, up 11 per cent year-on-year, and 1161 auctions scheduled next week, up 12 per cent year-on-year.
One of the most-viewed residential listings on realestate.com.au of the week, 14A Eastern Arterial Road, St Ives sold for $2.125m, $325,000 over its $1.8m reserve.
With 14 registered bidders and eight active, the home was listed with a guide of $1.65m via Alex Mintorn and Mindy Shi of Pello Upper North Shore.
“It was cautious bidding rather than a firecracker that went off,” Mr Mintorn said.
“I think both buyers were well beyond what they expected to pay for the property, but neither wanted to go back out there next weekend and resume finding the next property.”
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5/18A-22 Wyatt Ave, Burwood
Another Inner West property saw hot competition selling for $250,000 above its $1.6m reserve.
The townhouse at 5/18A – 22 Wyatt Ave, Burwood had five registered bidders, three active.
It sold for $1.85m via Lead Agent Spiro Mavridis of Ray White Burwood. Mr Mavridis said there were five young families battling it out. “Townhouses are few and far between,” he said.
“It was a deceased estate, the gentleman lived there for many years and his daughters were selling the property, they were really happy with the result.”
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