Ins and outs at Stanwell Park, Sept 2004

Ins and outs of a house sale, originally published in the Sun Herald in September 2004

68 Lower Coast Rd
Stanwell Park
Sold for $2,210,000
The house: The locals call this steel and glass architect-designed clifftop residence ‘the Donut house’ because it is circular, with a circular internal courtyard.
The agent Rowan Impey, L.J. Hooker Helensbrugh, says: “we had a price guide of more than $1.6 million and we achieved a great result at auction because this was a truly unique property in a position that can never be built out”.

The sellers
Derek Glenn and Rosi Jennings
The couple lived in the house for four years and sold up to move to an historic rural house near Nowra.
“The house has never been to public auction before; it has always changed hands privately. When I wanted to sell, I wanted to test it before the market and see what it would be worth. When I bought it four years ago, it set the record for Stanwell Park and I thought it was the most unique house in the area. I guess I was happy with the result.
“The house definitely has impact and anyone who walks into it is amazed at the view. It’s all steel and glass inside and even the laundry and bathroom have floor-to-ceiling glass. There is nowhere that you can get away from the ocean.
“It was architect designed to make the most of the view. There is actually 360 degree views from the house, with the escarpment behind you. The house has a real ‘wow’ factor, but it can be overwhelming. We’ve had visitors who come for the night and then flee before breakfast because it’s just so isolating and so dramatic.
“We have gone from seachange to tree-change. The problem with that location is that you are right in the elements, which is thrilling but not very restful. We wanted something with more garden and an outlook that wasn’t just ocean but something green. It is very hard to grow a nice garden at the edge of the ocean.
“The curved walls mean there is nowhere to hang a painting. All the furniture had to be custom-made because you can’t put straight-edged pieces in a round living room. We upgraded the kitchen and did a bit of renovating while we had the place. We were happy there, but it’s time to move on.”

The buyers
Stephen Fulham and Sonja Meyers
The couple already own a property in StanwellPark and wanted to own this house after discovering its unique position.
“We already have a place in Stanwell Park and I only knew this place existed a few months ago when I looked at buying a block across the road from it. It turned out that block was zoned so that you couldn’t build anything on it, but when I was walking up one of the tracks nearby, I saw this house. It was totally private so if you drove past it, you’d never know it was there. I thought it was the best house in Stanwell Park because the position means no-one can ever obstruct your view or build behind you.
“The locals call this the donut house because it is all round. It’s quite amazing to go into. The internal courtyard is very restful and there are louvres on the dining and living rooms which mean the whole house opens up to the elements.
“I like the curved walls – there is one place at the back that you could hang a painting but you couldn’t hang anything very large. The furniture has been specially made for this house, and that’s what I like about it. What other sort of house is going to have a modular circular sofa or a curved credenza?
“I think it will be a very relaxing place to move into. I already know the area and it’s a lovely spot to bring up a family. Not that this is a kids’ house. My children are grown now, so I don’t have to worry about that. Marble floors and lots of glass probably don’t make this house good for small children.
“I only saw the ad for this house in the Sydney Morning Herald the week before the auction. When I knew it was on the market, I knew that I would buy it, provided the price wasn’t too outrageous. This is the kind of house that you have to have.”


contact me alex may \| books \| property \| renovation \| magazine stories
Ins and outs of a house sale, originally published in the Sun Herald in September 2004 68 Lower Coast Rd Stanwell Park Sold for $2,210,000 The house: The locals call this steel and glass architect-designed clifftop residence ‘the Donut house’ because it is circular, with a circular internal courtyard. The agent Rowan Impey, L.J. Hooker Helensbrugh, says: “we had a price guide of more than $1.6 million and we achieved a great result at auction because this was a truly unique property in a position that can never be built out”. The sellers Derek Glenn and Rosi Jennings The couple lived in the house for four years and sold up to move to an historic rural house near Nowra. “The house has never been to public auction before; it has always changed hands privately. When I wanted to sell, I wanted to test it before the market and see what it would be worth. When I bought it four years ago, it set the record for Stanwell Park and I thought it was the most unique house in the area. I guess I was happy with the result. “The house definitely has impact and anyone who walks into it is amazed at the view. It’s all steel and glass inside and even the laundry and bathroom have floor-to-ceiling glass. There is nowhere that you can get away from the ocean. “It was architect designed to make the most of the view. There is actually 360 degree views from the house, with the escarpment behind you. The house has a real ‘wow’ factor, but it can be overwhelming. We’ve had visitors who come for the night and then flee before breakfast because it’s just so isolating and so dramatic. “We have gone from seachange to tree-change. The problem with that location is that you are right in the elements, which is thrilling but not very restful. We wanted something with more garden and an outlook that wasn’t just ocean but something green. It is very hard to grow a nice garden at the edge of the ocean. “The curved walls mean there is nowhere to hang a painting. All the furniture had to be custom-made because you can’t put straight-edged pieces in a round living room. We upgraded the kitchen and did a bit of renovating while we had the place. We were happy there, but it’s time to move on.” The buyers Stephen Fulham and Sonja Meyers The couple already own a property in StanwellPark and wanted to own this house after discovering its unique position. “We already have a place in Stanwell Park and I only knew this place existed a few months ago when I looked at buying a block across the road from it. It turned out that block was zoned so that you couldn’t build anything on it, but when I was walking up one of the tracks nearby, I saw this house. It was totally private so if you drove past it, you’d never know it was there. I thought it was the best house in Stanwell Park because the position means no-one can ever obstruct your view or build behind you. “The locals call this the donut house because it is all round. It’s quite amazing to go into. The internal courtyard is very restful and there are louvres on the dining and living rooms which mean the whole house opens up to the elements. “I like the curved walls – there is one place at the back that you could hang a painting but you couldn’t hang anything very large. The furniture has been specially made for this house, and that’s what I like about it. What other sort of house is going to have a modular circular sofa or a curved credenza? “I think it will be a very relaxing place to move into. I already know the area and it’s a lovely spot to bring up a family. Not that this is a kids’ house. My children are grown now, so I don’t have to worry about that. Marble floors and lots of glass probably don’t make this house good for small children. “I only saw the ad for this house in the Sydney Morning Herald the week before the auction. When I knew it was on the market, I knew that I would buy it, provided the price wasn’t too outrageous. This is the kind of house that you have to have.”