Cronulla's spaceship: trophy home sale

Cronulla's spaceship: trophy home sale
Jonathan ChancellorMay 20, 2013

The futuristic Apollo Gate, the Sutherland Shire's latest waterfront listing, has been snappily sold for $3.2 million through Steve Day at McGrath Estate Agents Cronulla.

It's the one nicknamed the Cronulla spaceship house, a reputation that dates back to its completion in the 1970s with its Reuben Lane design.

It has changed hands just the once in the past four decades - at $185,000 in 1978 when sold by the Breen family who owned the Metropolitan Sand Company at Cronulla.

It was bought by Evan Cardiacos, who was in the rug and floor covering trade, until his 2008 death.

The six-bedroom house ranks unquestionably among the shire's most iconic waterfront homes.

"Apollo Gate is a unique architectural masterpiece with spectacular views over Port Hacking to Bundeena and Jibbon Beach," Steve Day says.

He issued 11 contracts over the four week marketing campaign for the house at 4-6 Cowra Place.

The buyer is a builder who plans a renovation to live in the home when when finished with his family.

With direct access to Salmon Haul Bay, Lane's bold design was motivated by spiritual and architectural links to Mediterranean villages with whitewashed buildings clinging to the coastlines.

It featured in NSW Builder magazine, the official journal of the Master Builders' Association, in May 1975 (pictured below). It was built by CH & CR Ellis with spiralling western red cedar ceiling.

cronullamay3one

cronullamay3two

cronullamay3three

 

Reuben Lane, who died last year, was inspired by the work of his mentor Oscar Niemeyer, the architect of Brasilia.

Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

Editor's Picks

Madeline, Moorabbin apartments approach completion
Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district
Citimax to continue to elevate Sunshine Coast living with Ascend Kings Beach
Walker Corp get sign off for SOL by Walker in Maroochydore
First look: Surfers Paradise riverfront set for more new apartments