A beach house on the Ben Buckler headland has sold for A$17.4 million. This is more than four times what the same property fetched in 2015. The mystery buyers of this laid-back coastal luxury home are a couple better known for their chicken than their real estate! Nando’s billionaire owner Richard ‘Dick’ Enthoven and his wife, Karen, are the buyers, according to a report by the Wentworth Courier.
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A quiet sale on a busy street
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The house sits at 148 Hastings Parade, in the stretch of North Bondi that is fast becoming a ‘billionaire’s row’, with Afterpay founder Nick Molnar, Australia’s youngest billionaire, living just up the road and Lorna Triguboff, the daughter of billionaire property developer Harry Triguboff, who is worth $32 billion, living further along.
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The sale of this four-bedroom beach house was completed on 20 June through a private treaty via Raine & Horne Double Bay. Ric Serrao handled the deal. Neither the agency nor the buyers have said much about the sale. The price itself is on the public record, which is how the details came to light.
The mystery buyers
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Richard ‘Dick’ Enthoven and his wife, Karen, are the mystery buyers, according to the outlet. Richard is a South African billionaire who owns the Nando’s restaurant chain and the insurer Hollard. The settlement records show that the property is now registered in Karen Enthoven’s name. The previous owner was Adrian Reef, director of the corporate debt firm Reefine Capital.
Inside the beach house
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This is not your regular beach shack. The beach house was designed by a leading Sydney architect and built by Pamment Projects, an award-winning builder. ‘This extraordinary freestanding residence sets a new benchmark for refined beachside living, where laid-back luxury and design excellence exist in perfect harmony,’ the listing says. The house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
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The house has changed hands only twice in 80 years, and the buyer gets a home built around how people actually live on the coast. The curated palette of European oak, timber and natural stone brings a beach-inspired aesthetic. The house is designed for year-round indoor and outdoor living and entertaining. It is divided into two separate indoor and outdoor zones, allowing a family to spread out without losing the feeling of being together. Soft, sandy tones keep the look relaxed, while the finishes remain polished. The north-facing backyard features a heated mosaic pool with jets, and both the front and rear alfresco areas catch the ocean breeze. The rear barbecue runs directly off the gas mains, making weekend cooking easy. The expansive ocean-view terrace, with its resort-style back garden, also makes the property perfect for buyers seeking a laid-back, luxurious home.
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Inside, every bedroom has a built-in wardrobe, air conditioning and ceiling fans. The main suite looks out over the water and features a freestanding bath and a rain shower. Skylights fill the custom study and the rest of the home with daylight. Zellige tiles and heated floors feature in the laundry and bathrooms. The house is designed with comfort and safety in mind. Daikin zoned air conditioning, an Escea gas fireplace, ceiling-mounted Sonos speakers and an alarm system are among its features. The Caesarstone kitchen has gas appliances, two Bosch dishwashers, an island breakfast bar with a wine fridge tucked underneath, and a full butler’s pantry.
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A rear gate opens onto the North Bondi golf course and its walking tracks, while the garage has room for three cars, plus storage or a man cave. From there, the village cafés, cliff walks and Bondi Beach are all within easy reach.
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Meanwhile, the Enthovens already own Greenoaks Cottage, a nine-bedroom 1850s mansion in Darling Point. They bought it in late 2019 for $18 million from Anne-Maree Kerry, a former Olympic gymnast, and Phil Kerry, the boss of recruitment firm K2.The couple also owned a waterfront home in Point Piper, which sold for $21.8 million to developer Barrie Nesbitt and his wife, Emma. It is not yet clear whether the North Bondi house is intended as a family home or a holiday escape.