John Symond hosted journalist Kirsten Craze for Christmas drinks at his mansion.
Mystery has surrounded “Aussie” John Symond’s ambitious trophy home Wingadal for 20 years.
The epic cost of its eight-year construction, the extreme decadence of the decor and — famously — whether or not it really has 24 toilets.
A home that is now for sale for an Australia record of $200m.
It was the secrecy that had this long-in-the-tooth property journalist hooked over a decade ago when I received a glamorously embossed invitation to one of the most coveted annual Christmas parties in Sydney.
I had before, and have since, seen some extraordinary mega mansions — it’s one of the job’s perks.
However, the opportunity to peek behind the designer curtains of what was — even back then — dubbed “Australia’s most expensive home” was too good to pass up.
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The incredible residence hit the market last week with hopes in excess of $200m — Australia’s most expensive home.
It was designed by celebrity architect Alex Tzannes.
And doubles as a private art gallery.
Symond spent $10.5m on the prestige waterfront parcel of land in Point Piper back in 1999, he then undertook a herculean task of turning the 2676sq m pile into his dream home.
Now on the market for the first time with expectations of “in excess of $200m” through agents Ken Jacobs of Forbes and Brad Pillinger of Pillinger, the home loan guru is rumoured to have spent $50m building the six-bedroom house designed by celebrity architect Alec Tzannes.
SYDNEY’S BEST PARTIES
Sitting at the end of Australia’s priciest cul-de-sac (in Australia’s priciest suburb), Symond’s mansion is named after its exclusive street, so exclusive it’s home to only three properties.
The ultimate host and philanthropist, Symond has thrown countless super soirees at the palatial pad over the past two decades raising millions of dollars for charities such as the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation
$200m view.
Looks even better in a $20 pair of boardies.
Shooting the breeze with ScoMo at the 2017 Christmas shindig. Picture: James Croucher
Ex-NSW premier Mike Baird and his wife Kerryn also celebrating Christmas 2017. Picture: James Croucher
He has also hosted two nuptials on site; his own wedding in 2016 to his now ex-Amber McDonald and his son Stephen’s commitment ceremony to marketing executive Ed Smith in 2013.
When the billionaire bank disrupter throws a shindig the whole neighbourhood knows.
Here’s hoping the one-time Australian Father of the Year and Order of Australia recipient is on good terms with his wealthy neighbours.
In 2017 luxury car importer Neville Crichton sold next door for $60.8m through Pillinger to stockbroker Andy Wenlei Song and businesswoman Yingping Cao, while in 2021 freight boss Terry Tzaneros and his wife Anne bought on the other side for $38m from expat lawyer Sarah Cooke brokered by Alex Lyons of Raine & Horne Double Bay.
Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond (R) and now ex-wife Amber (L) during their annual Christmas cocktail party of at their home in Point Piper, Sydney, Australia, 15 December 2016. Photo by Brianne Makin
Symond spent $50m on the building the home.
Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond (C-R) and wife Amber (C-L) with a choir who performed during their annual Christmas cocktail party of at their home in Point Piper, Sydney, Australia, 15 December 2016. Picture: Brianne Makin
VIP guests get the golf cart treatment. Picture: Dylan Robinson
POSTCARD PERFECT SETTING
It doesn’t take much for the pint-sized Windagal Pl to fill with a convoy of VIP vehicles, so for logistical reasons most partygoers are dropped at the corner of Wolseley Rd, leaving well-healed socialites to teeter down the steep street in their usually unscathed Louboutins.
I remember security feeding visitors through the otherwise impenetrable black gates to a grand hotel-inspired porte cochere and courtyard with champagne-carrying waiters, simply waiting.
The sweeping private driveway is the idyllic holding pen for Symond’s gaggle of high profile guests, of which he has had plenty.
Designed to be an entertainer’s playhouse, Windagal has a ballroom fit for 500 invitees, two commercial kitchens where master chefs such as Matt Moran, Guillaume Brahimi, Peter Doyle and Neil Perry have worked their magic, as well as multiple terraces and tiered gardens carefully curated for revellers to mingle in a postcard setting.
Upon arrival I remember being greeted by a bold and blue Brett Whiteley — Frangipani and Hummingbird — taking pride of place in the imposing ground level foyer.
Symond with his life-sized tiger made out of coat hangers by artist David Mach.
During the home’s construction, local residents complained about the site being lit up at night.
Don’t fear the reaper.
Guests attending the wedding of John Symond and Amber McDonald at his Point Piper home. Picture: Dylan Robinson
Like a private museum, Windagal reportedly also features works by Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joel Ellenberg and Roy Lichtenstein and has interiors so privately protected that not even the marketing photos or video give much away.
What we do know is the property has six bedrooms with ensuites, a 98m of harbour frontage, a 22-seat movie theatre, two pools and parking for up to 20 cars.
Despite this seasoned real estate writer being keen on a nose around, a gentle arm manoeuvred me to a manned lift with no chance of pressing each button for even the sneakiest peak at all four levels.
On the party floor, as it has affectionately been coined it, you feel as though Symond did save the best for his guests.
Named father of the year in 2012, Symond is pictured with his children Stephen and Deborah.
Stephen Symond and his partner Ed Smith held their commitment ceremony at the property in 2013.
Also tagged as Sydney’s unofficial “civic space” thanks to its multiple appearances on the city’s charitable calendar, Australia’s most remarkable rumpus room has a unique arched ceiling boasting 6200 acoustically-engineered rods perfectly framing the ever-present guest of honour — Sydney Harbour Bridge.
More like the ballroom of a five-star hotel, the expansive area is kitted out with a full bar, a stage with a grand piano and oodles of space for a dance floor.
Jesinta Campbell at a charity event at the home. Picture: Bradley Hunter
The eternal guest of honour the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Picture: Damian Shaw.
Palace fit for a queen.
After thanking Symond for an interview with the Wentworth Courier the month prior, and the subsequent invitation to that night’s extravagant Chrissy drinks, I awkwardly complemented one of Australia’s richest men on his lovely home to which he humbly replied; “Well, I built it for a good party, so we may as well use it for that!”
Sensing the request for a full tour would be out of the question, I asked a fellow guest and trusted Symond insider for more detailed intel on the mysterious digs.
“So what’s the rest of the house really look like? Are there actually 24 toilets?”
His reply: “I don’t know, I’ve worked with him for years and I’ve never made it past this floor.”
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