A raucous crowd gathered in the Inner West on Saturday morning to sell a Newtown estate sold by the father of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a bid to raise money to help free his son a decade ago.
The corner house at 36 Kent Street, Newtown notable for its murals, mosaics, spiral staircase and roof garden, was the home of Assange’s father John Shipton.
Mr Shipton, a commercial builder, rebuilt the Newtown property in the 1990s after his partner Catherine Barber bought it for $130,000 in 1989.
Shipton told the media in 2022 that the campaign to free Assange, who was imprisoned in the Ecuadorian embassy in London at the time, had “swallowed” all his money and that he had to sell the house in 2015.
Auctioneer Luke Evans of Cooley Auctioneers is calling the winning bid for 36 Kent Street, Newtown.
A crowd filled the street
The opening bid started at $2.227m, above its $2.1m asking price.
The two registered tenderers were represented by different buyer’s agents, there was a winner and the latter placed a sub-bid on the phone as a buyer.
Multiple bids of $10,000 to $50,000 have reignited rapid fire.
The eventual winning bid saw the home sell for $2.555m, well above the undisclosed reserve price.
Auctioneer Luke Evans of Cooley Auctioneers said this unique home deserved its result.
“It will show that if you get two good buyers you don’t really need numbers, it’s quality over quantity,” he said.
Mr Evans provided some insight into the current Sydney market in relation to its traditional pre-Easter surge.
“If it is presented well and has a good price, you will get interest,” he said.
“It’s not the kind of market where you can test the market above market value and get interest, it’s very price sensitive.”
The Newtown home was the former home of Julian Assange’s father John Shipton
Listing Agent David Barndon of The Agency said the buyers were a young couple who lived in the area and were looking to buy something big in the area.
“My understanding is that they want to maintain the integrity of the home,” he said.
“They loved the house immediately and so did another buyer who was represented.”
Mr Barndon said the strong interest represented a unique opportunity for the home.
According to Mr Barndon, strong competition may not have been linked to local history.
“I don’t know if that motivated them or not,” he said.
“I wouldn’t think so, I think it’s about the difference in structure, size, location and what it had.”
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This house is notable for its paintings and mosaics
A spiral staircase gives residents and guests easy access to its rooftop garden
After ten years at home, salesman Callum Bushby said it was time for a new chapter.
“When I first saw the property advertised on Realestate.com.au and I remember it said ‘A work of art to live in’,” Mr Bushby said.
“Behind the entrance of this corner room was an area that felt more like a museum than an ordinary terrace or kitchen.
“It’s a heartfelt move and I would love to keep the place, but instead of renting it out, it feels like the right time to share this unique space with someone who will appreciate its history and its continued evolution as one of the most unique homes in the area.”
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14A Eastern Arterial Rd, St Ives
According to realestate.com, there were 948 auctions scheduled in Sydney this week, up 11 percent year-on-year, and 1161 auctions scheduled for next week, up 12 percent year-on-year.
One of the most viewed real estate listings on realestate.com.au of the week, 14A Eastern Arterial Road, St Ives sold for $2.125m, $325,000 above its last estimate of $1.8m.
With 14 registered and 8 active buyers, the home is listed at a guide price of $1.65m by Alex Mintorn and Mindy Shi of Pello Upper North Shore.
“It was a cautious bid rather than an explosion,” said Mr Mintorn.
“I think both buyers were more than they expected to pay for this property, but neither wanted to go back there next weekend to continue to find the next property.”
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5/18A-22 Wyatt Ave, Burwood
Another Inner West property saw hot competition sell for $250,000 above its $1.6m reserve.
The townhouse at 5/18A – 22 Wyatt Ave, Burwood had five registered buyers, three active.
Sold for $1.85m through Lead Agent Spiro Mavridis of Ray White Burwood. Mr. Mavridis said there are five small families fighting. “Houses in town are few and far between,” he said.
“It was the legacy of a deceased person, the gentleman lived there for many years with his daughters selling the property, they are very happy with the result.”
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