Divine Del Rio, Elizabeth Bay trophy garden apartment sells to fashionista Melanie Greensmith
Melanie Greensmith who runs the clothing label, Wheels and Dollbaby, with her partner Mark McEntee have spent about $4.25 million on an apartment in the Spanish Mission style Del Rio apartment block in Elizabeth Bay.
Located on the Billyard Avenue dress circle harbourfront, it was the first time the home had been offered in 12 years.
Real estate agent Jaime Upton of Ballard Property Group says the ground floor apartment feels like a house due to its accessibility to the garden for the couple's dogs.
Its an apartment block often featured in prize paintings given its lovely setting between the iconic Elizabeth Bay House and the harbour.
Del Rio was designed by John Spencer-Stransfield in 1928, who is more famously known for designing the federation suburb Haberfield.
The 2009 Belle-featured apartment was purchased in October 2001 for $1.96 million and has undergone $1.5 million worth of improvements by designer Garth Barnett.
The property originally had a three-bedroom layout - with the third bedroom used as the maid’s quarter - however its been transformed into two large comfortable bedrooms.
The property features soaring ceilings, French parquetry and travertine floors and two marble-finished bathrooms.
Its vendor was Charles Wilkins, a leading Sydney caterer who bought it in 2001 from Stuart and Kerry Lodge through estate agent Shannan Whitney for $1.96 million.
