Broadcaster Alan Jones sells Avoca apartment
The top rating 2GB breakfast broadcaster Alan Jones has settled on his apartment acquisition in Circular Quay's iconic Toaster building.
And he has sold his little-used Avoca Beach retreat.
Documents show the broadcaster paid $10.5 million for the sixth floor apartment overlooking the Opera House.
His off market acquisition was from the Queensland coal miner Brian Flannery who had paid $3.9 million for the apartment in 2003.
Jones' city apartment, spanning 200 sqm internal space, cost $52,000 per sqm, a figure reflective of the status of apartments on the tip of the iconic Sydney complex.
Flannery also recently sold his adjoining 120 sqm apartment with lesser views for $3.65 million which was at nearly $30,000 per sqm.
The highest price paid for an apartment in the Toaster building was $18 million when hotelier Sam Arnaout secured the penthouse from Margaret Maloney, the widow of the late hotelier Cyril Maloney.
Recent off the plan prestige offerings around Circular Quay have hit as high as $96,000 a square metre.
Jones has been renting in the block since 2001 when he sold his $2.9 million Newtown warehouse of 12 years.
These days he spends most of his spare time in the Southern Highlands at Charlieville, a 28 hectare estate in Fitzroy Falls.
He has been renting out the little used Avoca Beach apartment at a pricey $5,000 a week asking price.
Designed by renowned architect Cathy Slater, The Lighthouse complex is in an block of six on the Avoca Beach hillside.
Spanning 450 sqm of indoor and outdoor living space, it has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a separate massage therapy room and a grand entertaining terrace with plunge pool.
Jones paid $4.5 million in 2008.
LJ Hooker Terrigal agents Tim Andrews and Matthew Farrugia advised a $4.5 million plus price guide. It was sold pre-auction at an undisclosed price to a Bellevue Hill family.
The 2GB broadcaster, who has been hosting the show since 2002, extended his stellar ratings lead in the Sydney breakfast market having returned to the mic after illness.
His 2GB's breakfast ratings increased its share to 13.9 percent.
However he told his audience this month he won't be able to answer every email he gets, given his orders of doctors to ease up after a number of health scares.
Jones has been known to be prolific in his response to listener concerns.
This article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph.
