No. 1 home on market
ONE of the most stunning homes in the Far North is on the market again.
Businessman John Morris is selling 1 Wharf St, Port Douglas, which he built 30 years ago, so that he can downsize.
The tourism identity is relocating to a smaller property in the Sheraton Mirage complex, also at Port Douglas.
The hilltop address appeared in the feature film Travelling North.
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home spans over a Ushaped winged configuration. One wing accommodates expansive living and entertaining areas and a second for private family-living with guest bedrooms and a master residence.
The north-facing oceanfront estate has uninterrupted views across the Coral Seas and rainforest covered mountain ranges.
The sale is being handled by Barbara Wolveridge in her new branch of the prestigious Sotheby’s International Realty brand.
“It’s a very, very impressive house,” she said.
“It is the number one house in the region by far.”
Price is on application but is expected to be well in double digit millions.
According to Core Logic, Mr Morris sold the house in May 2000 for $4.6 million to tourism company Quicksilver Connections and then bought it back again in 2007 for $10 million.
After selling the property the Morris family lived at Rocky Point, but bought the house back off Quicksilver owner Shin Watari.
Ms Wolveridge said the high-end property market in the area was steadily improving with interest spurred by Syrian billionaire’s Ghassan Aboud’s investment in the marina.
“We’re getting a lot of inquiry at the higher range because everyone’s very excited and thinking about this new hotel. And I honestly believe that development is going to put Port Douglas back on the map,” she said.
Four houses sold for more than $3 million in the past 16 months, compared with just the one in the four years previous. Last year property developer Michael Yates sold his Wharf Street trophy home for $6.8 million.