Chinese continue to target Southern Highland estates
The mystery buyer of former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke and wife Kyly's redundant Berrima retreat has emerged as Wahroonga based Chinese manufacturer Jie Chen.
The reputed $5.25 million price is still yet to be disclosed, but its understood the Round Hill sale price included Kyly's interior furnishings.
Clarke has been holidaying with Kyly, a lifestyle blogger, and their daughter Kelsey Lee in the Maldives earlier this month having previously signed off on the deal that was two years in the making.
The couple were originally asking $6.5 million, however after sitting idle on the market, the price was reduced to $5 million through Drew Lindsay selling agent Drew Lindsay, who'd sold it three times before.
The Clarke's paid $3.1 million for the sprawling 93 hectare estate in 2012, with a new swimming pool added during their five year ownership.
The cricket lovers haven, complete with a picket fenced oval installed by former financial high flyer Bill Ireland, was a popular weekender rental at a pricey $1,200 a night through www.contemporaryhotels.com.
Kyly added her interior designer professional touches and undertaking some renovations inside the four bedroom Richard Rowe designed homestead.
The idea behind the 2012 purchase was that Clarke would set up his long-awaited cricket academy, round the corner from Bowral, the home of Australia's most renowned cricketer Don Bradman.
Locals are pondering whether the acquisition suggests a rising Chinese interest in the Southern Highlands market.
It's only the third sale of note to Asian interests in the area.
The breakthrough entry was in 2011 when "Jin" Shangjin Lin, a graduate of Macquarie University and managing director of property development giant Aqualand, paid $7.15 million for a 40 hectare estate in Mittagong.
Lin went onto buy the $52 million Villa Igiea, the 1920s Vaucluse waterfront that has been rented over the years by the likes of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pit and Beyonce and Jay Z.
Since then there have been two major forays into the Southern Highlands.
Early 2014 the iconic Bowral tourism property Milton Park was sold to Chinese property trust interests for around $20 million.
The Edwardian-style 1910 guesthouse in heritage gardens was established by the retailing Hordern family.
A few months later The Chase at Sutton Forest was bought for $5.8 million by Malaysian horse racing tycoon Teo Ah Khing, who founded the Chinese Horse Club where he is also chairman.
The historic trophy estate on 40 hectares features a five bedroom 1880s homestead with a reception hall, formal sitting and dining room and billiard room.
Khing then paid $4.85 million for the 33 hectare winery and wedding venue across Oldbury Road.
Bowral's modern Duck Crossing estate sold for around $4.15 million to the Liu family last year.
Set on 6245 sqm, each of the homes four bedrooms have ensuites, there's a media room, grand office and two gourmet kitchens.
The luxury homes furnishings have Ralph Lauren fabrics and English oak floors.
The Centennial Road property was listed through Unique Estates agent Phillip Dwyer and Drew Lindsay at Drew Lindsay Real Estate.
The property comes with a detached self-contained one-bedroom guest cottage and pavilion with spa and steam room in landscaped grounds, adjoining Craigieburn golf course.