Robby Ingham lists Tamarama trophy home
The pioneering former Oxford Street fashion retailer Robby Ingham and his wife Sarah have listed their Tamarama home as they have finished construction of their new home around the corner.
The five bedroom home has point blank ocean vista and views back to beach given its position above the iconic coastal walk.
The garden on the 440 sqm double block features a sheltered entertaining area, gym and 25 metre lap pool that spans the block.
The Gaerloch Ave property has been scheduled for May 21 auction through Pauline Goodyer of Goodyer Real Estate.
"It offers a resort-inspired lifestyle," Goodyer said.
It was back in 1994 when he paid $810,000 keener for the offering than film producer Rebel Penfold Russell who staying on the Ben Buckler peninsula at Bondi.
Then the adjoining block was bought in 2004 allowing the 2008 home extension renovation through John Albarez.
The neighbourhood's latest prestige offerings include Shell House, the home of actress cum author Sophie Lee and her husband, advertising agency boss Anthony Freedman on Hewlett Street that has $10 million plus expectations.
A Walter Barda-designed property, known as Wave House sold for $15.65 million last year to Heather Doig, wife of former Pacific Equity Partners managing director Rob Kozckar after being rented by singer Ricky Martin who stayed in the contemporary pad whilst he was a judge on The Voice.
Nearby Kenneth St prices have hit $14.5 million, where most family homes have been tightly held and now needing refurbishment.
Recently Frangipani House at Thompson Street sold through McGrath agent Simon Exleton for $3.55 million with five parties vying for the first opportunity in five decades to secure the sold brick hillside offering.
Ingham, in an early show of entreprenuerial independence from his chicken producing family, opened his first store on Oxford Street in 1983.
His imported designer clothes were soon worn by the fashion set of Sydney. Even I managed to save up for a Comme des Garcons shirt.
After 32 years Ingham decided to shut up shop in 2015, retiring as online shopping had dented trade and his joy of face to face customer interaction.
He's now thinking of opening a wellness gym at Bondi.
Ingham also owns in Gerringong, a 40-hectare parcel where he wants to build a retreat with tennis court, pavilion, barn, stables and pool.
He is currently thinking of establishing a wellness gym at Bondi.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.