Grande Pyrmont: Unrepeatable mansions in the heart of the Sydney Harbour
The term unrepeatable is often a term bandied around when talking about some of Sydney’s finest trophy homes that line the harbour in Point Piper. Unrepeatable for their views of Sydney’s finest landmarks, their access to the water, and the fact the land they sit on can not be recreated.
What prominent property developer TWT Property Group has put together in Pyrmont is equally unrepeatable, with their Grande Pyrmont Bay Estate boasting arguably some of the most grandiose house proportions, unrivalled in an inner-city, harbourside suburb.
Almost unfair to call them terraces given their size, the 11 residences that made up Grande Pyrmont were built to the highest standards by iCIRT-rated builder Decode Group in late 2020. A few months later the development won the 2021 Best Low-Rise Residential Development Awards at the Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards.
Urban was recently invited on a tour of one of the final two homes in Grande Pyrmont, The Manor, one of the most impressive homes in the collection. What was immediately obvious, and surprising, was the size and scale of the home, in an area known typically for tight terraces houses. It has 1,170 sqm of internal space, not including the 230 sqm of outdoor terraces and balconies, nor the parking for two cars.
Purposefully unassuming from the front to blend into the 1800s Pyrmont character facades that make the harbourside suburb a historian’s dream, access to the terrace development from Harris Street is through a modest sandstone entry. Of course there’s also direct access from the car park.
In keeping with their commitment to preserve heritage and create something which balances legacy with contemporary, the entry lobby to Grande Pyrmont Bay features a mini museum, with artefacts recovered during the excavation phase of the development. There’s spoons and plates that date back to the 1800s. The excavation also uncovered yellow sandstone, which heritage expert Troy Stratti said will have been there for 200 million years.
On the wall of the lobby is also a timeline, from when the Gadigal aboriginal people inhabited the site as the traditional custodians, to now.
While essentially set just one street back from Harris Street, the terraces have been cleverly designed to block out any noise. Even the extensive outdoor space is more tranquil than traffic. The ground floor, which is the main entertaining level, features a soaring double-height void to one of the upper levels, creating a grand sense of space. Adjoining the living room, which has a striking fireplace, is a luxury bar area, a cinema room, and a sauna and a cellar.
This level opens to the main outdoor entertaining space, complete with outdoor entertaining area, barbecue kitchen, and a swimming pool, set amid landscaping and an elevated viewing-like deck with views across to Barangaroo.
Up the sculptural staircase, or lift, to even more impressive views to Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. Here there’s another living area, three guest bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a laundry room.
The staircase continues to the yet another living level which homes a lounge, adjoining kitchen, complete with Calacatta Blanco Marble and a butlers pantry as large as most regular kitchens, and a dedicated dining space.
Up another level and there's yet another lounge area, as well as a home office which is positioned at the front of the terrace to take in the extensive views. Two further bedrooms sit privately on this level.
Crowning the home is a 148 sqm whole floor master suite, the sixth bedroom, which comprises an ensuite with a freestanding sculpted bath, and a walk-through wardrobe with dressing room and vanity. Its most impressive feature is the private terrace, complete with a spa and views of the whole of Barangaroo and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The commercial grade lift by Kleemann Atlas runs through each of the seven levels, all the way from the top level master suite to the basement level which is ensconced with towering original sandstone, cliff-like walls.
This space has been left empty so a purchaser can use it however they wish. Some have created an ultimate man cave, which are more common in converted garages rather than in a space which actually resembles a cave. A large enough space for a full wellness zone rather than a typical home gym, some of the potential uses discussed can be a wine tasting room, a golf simulator, or a huge private cinema.
The Manor at Grande Pyrmont Bay is seeking $23 million and is ready to move in. The option to keep the styled, custom furniture by Coco Republic, is an added extra.