Jamie Durie buys Paul Bangay’s Stonefields for more than $11 million
Celebrity gardener Jamie Durie has bought one of Australia’s most extraordinary private gardens, Paul Bangay’s Stonefields, for more than $11 million.
The TV personality and his business partners plan to turn the private home about 85 kilometres north-west of Melbourne into a luxury accommodation venture.
Stonefields is set on 16 hectares in Denver, between Kyneton and Daylesford, and its stunning gardens have been described by renowned landscape designer Bangay as his “life’s greatest work”.
Bangay listed the residence last spring, saying at the time he hoped the new owner would be someone who loved gardens.
His plan was to find another opportunity in the area to create his next dream home with husband Barry McNeill, saying it was frustrating not to be able to do much more to the garden once it had matured.
Once the gardens matured, there was not as much work to do.Credit:Forbes Global Properties
Records show Stonefields last sold in 2004 for $320,000. Bangay transformed the site from a bare paddock into grand gardens inspired by his world travels, with stately oak trees, a hilltop pool, a Tuscan-inspired main house with dramatic interiors, plus a guesthouse and private office.
New resort guests will enjoy the property’s stunning views.Credit:Forbes Global Properties
Forbes Global Properties’ Michael Gibson had the listing and confirmed the sale, which includes an adjoining property that was not originally on the market but made a compelling deal for both parties.
He declined to comment on the price, although one source with knowledge of the deal put it at more than $11 million.
“It is going to be a world-class eco-resort,” Gibson said.
Bangay hoped the new owner would be someone who appreciates gardens.Credit:Forbes Global Properties
“I can’t speak for the developers, but it will obviously be built around the gardens and the views are spectacular.”
Gibson said the residence had attracted a substantial amount of interest and inspections during the sales campaign. It was originally pitched as an ideal home for either an owner-occupier or someone looking for a country retreat.
The deal was first reported by The Australian Financial Review and marks a dynamic start to the year for Victoria’s luxury residential real estate market. The home was originally listed with a price guide of $8 million to $8.8 million before the adjoining parcel was included.