Fernhill sells to Simon Tripp for equestrian enterprise
Fernhill, the former Georgian-era estate of the now bankrupted property tycoon Warren Anderson at Mulgoa, is reportedly set for a transformation into an equestrian centre following its sale last week to wealthy businessman Simon Tripp and his wife, Brenda.
The undisclosed price has been put at around $50 million. In September Property Observer noted Simon Tripp had been identified as offering $45 million for Fernhill (pictured above) and shortly after Jabulisa, his impressive 6.9-hectare Sydney northern beaches acreage, was listed for sale with $20 million hopes.
The 654-hectare property at Fernhill comes with an 1843 homestead on Sydney’s western outskirts.
It's been suggsteded the Tripps intend to revive a disused racecourse on the estate as well as construct a showjumping school, which would be run by their daughter.
There are also plans to build around 90 houses on the estate’s western perimeter, as Anderson secured preliminary permission for a subdivision.
The listing followed a matrimonial Anderson family dispute.
Warren Anderson was ordered to vacate the colonial Greek revival-style mansion last November.
The prized estate last traded when it was bought from the founder of the Darling and Co merchant bank, John Darling, in 1980 for $2.8 million.
It was built for Edward Cox, the sixth and youngest son of pioneer William Cox, in the Greek Revival temple style, possibly designed by architect Mortimer Lewis, with amended plans dropping the second storey due to the 1840s agricultural recession.
Fernhill remained in the ownership of the Cox family until 1896, when it sold to the Wright family, of Wright, Heaton and Co, who billed their firm as the most extensive carrying firm in the colony.
The stone house and outbuildings were constructed over four years by 20 stonemasons who were brought in from Ireland.
The buildings are now surrounded by gardens modified in the 1970s by landscape architect Paul Sorensen, during which time the swimming pool was added.
Fernhill has 15 lots totalling 653 hectares, of which 404 hectares form part of the historic Fernhill estate that contains the original 1810 Cox family Crown land grant.
Anderson, the property tycoon whose collection of Regency antiques, old master paintings, French Empire clocks and stuffed animals raised $12 million in 2010 after matrimonial disputation, was made bankrupt in June 2011.
The six-bedroom mansion is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country.
No confirmation of the Australian Financial Review report has been forthcoming from Colliers International, the listing agency.
