Columned chateau with 21st-century interiors at Bellevue Hill
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Chateau de Benelong, the distinctive Bellevue Hill residence, has been listed for upcoming auction with $7.5 million hopes. With its multiple arches, columns, balustrades and detailed decorative exterior adornments including cherubs, lions' heads and a central courtyard fountain, the nine-bedroom house has stood out from the crowd since the late 1970s when it was built by designer Lesley Santy.
Santy, who won a gold medal in the 1957 international furniture exhibition in Milan, designed the building for the Levy family.
The Benelong Crescent property has been listed through Kim Jones at Di Jones Real Estate. It last traded for $3.67 million in 2009.
“With neo-classical architecture, this private palazzo commands sweeping northerly harbour views from its grand columned terraces,” listing agent Kim Jones says. She says there’s been a “no-expense spared approach” to renovating its luxury living spaces, which include a lavish poolside entertainer's pavilion, home theatre and gym. It comes with eight bedrooms, including a two-bedroom apartment.
Chateau de Benelong featured in a series of Telstra ads starring comedian Billy Connolly in the late 1990s. It comes with approval for roof terrace with bridge views.
The vendors are Elio and Makedonka Del Ben, who own a building company called Big Dig Pty Ltd.
They have completely renovated the home throughout, with renovations finishing this year.
