A ballroom, two commercial kitchens, a movie theatre and 24 bathrooms! Inside Australia’s most expensive mansion worth a staggering $200M

Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond made history when he put his Point Piper mansion up for sale for a record $200 million earlier this month.

With a ballroom that can accommodate 500 people and two commercial kitchens used by some of the most famous chefs in the world, it’s no wonder the Wingadal waterfront property will soon be the most expensive property in Australia.

After buying the land for $10.5 million in 1999, the 76-year-old founder of Aussie Home Loans is said to have spent another $50 million transforming the house into a retreat suitable for elite soirees. The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday.

Designed by famed architect Alec Tzannes, Wingadal is located at the end of Australia’s most expensive cul-de-sac in its most expensive suburb and has welcomed some of the province’s wealthiest guests to countless parties and charity events.

John has raised millions of dollars at these exclusive gatherings over the years, donated to charities such as the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, and also hosted two weddings.

He held his own wedding to now ex-wife Amber McDonald on the property in 2016, with the couple recently splitting in December last year after eight years together – a rift said to have led to John’s decision to sell the house.

The former finance director also hosted his son Stephen Symond’s commitment ceremony with marketing director Ed Smith in 2013.

With a ballroom suitable for the largest parties, John can accommodate up to 500 guests in the expansive space on what is known as the ‘party floor’, which can be reached via an elevator leading to all four levels of the home.

The dance palace features a unique vaulted ceiling with 6,200 acoustically designed rods that frame the breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Ever the gracious host, John also had a full bar, stage and grand piano with more than enough room to host extravagant dance parties for his rich and famous guests.

With a ballroom that can accommodate 500 people and two commercial kitchens used by some of the most famous chefs in the world, it’s no wonder the Wingadal waterfront property will soon be the most expensive property in Australia.

After buying the land for $10.5 million in 1999, the Aussie Home Loans founder is said to have spent another $50 million transforming the house into a retreat suitable for elite soirees, The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday.

Wingadal’s two commercial kitchens are also located on this floor and are used to serve delicious food and drinks for John’s highly anticipated parties.

Some of the world’s most masterful chefs have worked in these kitchens, including Matt Moran, Guillaume Brahimi, Peter Doyle and Neil Perry.

Guests often take advantage of the multiple terraces and tiered gardens designed for revelers to create perfect memories.

The rest of the house, which reportedly has 24 bathrooms, a 22-seat movie theater, two swimming pools and parking for 20 cars, doubles as John’s private art museum.

Artists who have captured John’s admiration include Brett Whiteley, Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Joel Ellenberg and Roy Lichtenstein.

Designed by renowned architect Alec Tzannes, Wingadal is located at the end of Australia’s most expensive cul-de-sac in Australia’s most expensive suburb

John has raised millions of dollars at these exclusive gatherings over the years and donated them to charities such as the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation

It comes as John reportedly moves to the south of France to nurse his broken heart following his split from wife Amber.

The Australian entrepreneur split from his ex, 52, in December last year after eight years of marriage and has now decided to leave the country.

When he put his exclusive Sydney Wingadal mansion up for sale for a record $200 million earlier this month, John was said to be “devastated” by the divorce, he reported. The Sunday Telegraph.

While it is unclear when his rumored move to the other side of the world will take place, his luxury property in Point Piper is expected to break the $130 million sales record set by IT billionaire Scott Farquhar and his Uig Lodge.

John put the Wingadal mansion up for sale after buying the four-storey home in 1999 and spending eight years converting it into the spectacular home it is today.

John held his own wedding to now ex-wife Amber McDonald, 52, (left) on the premises in 2016, with the pair recently splitting in December last year after eight years together – a rift said to have led to John’s decision to close the affair to sell. At home

The rest of the house, which reportedly has 24 bathrooms, a 22-seat movie theater, two swimming pools and parking for 20 cars, doubles as John’s private art museum.

Ken Jacobs of Forbes Global Properties said it was “the most exciting listing” he has worked on in his four decades in the real estate industry.

John said at the IPO earlier this week that he is selling now because he plans to spend more time abroad.

“Wingadal has been a special home for my family over the past twenty years, and now I look forward to spending more time abroad,” he said.

He also spoke fondly of the many gala events held there over the years.

Guests often take advantage of the multiple terraces and tiered gardens designed for revelers to create perfect memories

“While we were an exceptional family home, we also had the pleasure of hosting many important events for charities and other worthy causes,” he said.

John and Amber, who started dating in 2011 and tied the knot in 2016, are said to have had a “strained relationship” in the past but are now doing better than ever following their divorce.

The Daily Telegraph reported that John’s daughter Deborah continues to have a good relationship with her stepmother Amber, with the pair said to be ‘the closest thing’. [have] ever been’.

In a joint statement at the time, the former couple said: “We enter this new chapter of our lives with a deep, mutual respect and friendship for each other. We are united in our love and commitment to our family.”