The latest in the Bachelor franchise, The Golden Bachelor Australia, has aired with a fresh new look after being filmed in one of Sydney’s most coveted mansions.
Sitting on the harbourside, the Elizabeth Bay waterfront treasure Tresco — said to be worth at least $110 million — has become the latest set for the Bachelor franchise.
The mansion is owned by Janette Waterhouse, former wife of David Waterhouse, son of the late bookmaking legend Bill Waterhouse.
Designed in 1868, Tresco is a heritage-listed sandstone residence created by the leading architect of the day, Thomas Rowe, and built by Italian stonemasons with two storeys and 13 rooms.
The Tresco home is located in Sydney’s exclusive Elizabeth Bay.
The way the mansion looked decked out in lights for The Golden Bachelor.
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The grand residence sits on a 3300sq m waterfront block and has a private sea pool at 97 Elizabeth Bay Rd.
It was reported by reliable sources that Ms Waterhouse tried to quietly list the home back in June last year, with an eye-watering $110m-$130m price tag.
However, Ms Waterhouse quickly denied this and responded to reports at the time stating she didn’t plan to sell the home, but she had plans to add two luxurious properties, the East house and the West house, and had applied for a DA approval.
The plans lodged with City of Sydney called for a subdivision for two new homes that would cost nearly $23m.
In an email to NewsCorp Australia, Ms Waterhouse said: “I have lodged a Development Application with the City of Sydney council for two additional houses on the lot, intended for our two children.”
The mansion is located on Elizabeth Bay Rd.
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Yet those plans seem to have been put on hold when the Bachelor swooped in to make it the set for the latest reboot of the franchise – at an undisclosed rental price.
Producers have decked the old mansion out with lanterns, lights and flowers to bring a romantic atmosphere to the property.
The Golden Bachelor is starring a range of Boomer and Gen X contestants, ranging from 59 to 66 years old.
The Bachelor himself is a 61-year-old Sydneysider Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden who lost his wife to a brain tumour and is ready for love again.
Keen-eyed fans of the show have taken to social media to pitch an interesting theory: that Bear is actually dating host Samantha Armytage.
The ‘Golden Bachelor’ with host Samantha Armytage. Picture: Channel 9
Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden is looking for love again.
“Love this, but from the moment I saw Bear with the host Sam; l could see the chemistry between the two of them. Such a shame if my gut is right. These beautiful and amazing women are putting themselves out there and deserve better. I hope l am wrong …” Tracey Hanson commented on Instagram.
“He picks Sam … the host … it’s game over … I couldn’t even watch it tonight,” another user wrote.
Others only have praise for the fresh take on the show.
“So many lovely ladies!,” one Instagram user wrote.
“WOW Bear you are such a handsome man, best wishes to you finding love and a partner in life.
“I wasn’t expecting the ladies to be this age! Thought they’d be all in their 40s!! … this is great.”
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