New sales record

Clive Palmer’s latest purchase tops the Gold Coast’s list of highest sales in 2018

BILLIONAIRE Clive Palmer has splashed $12 million on a luxurious Mermaid Beach property, marking the Gold Coast’s highest sale this year.

It was by chance the businessman came across the four-level Hamptons-style home on Millionaires’ Row, which belonged to developer John Potter.

Tony Velissariou, of Tony V Real Estate, was the one who suggested Mr Palmer take a look at the Hedges Ave home.

“He was looking at something else and when that wasn’t available, I suggested that he have a look at this one,” he said.

Mr Velissariou said a nine-year working relationship with Mr Palmer meant he had a fair idea of what he liked in a property.

“That property is probably one of the most admired on the Gold Coast beachfront strip,” he said.

The deal knocks another Hedges Ave property out of the top spot on this year’s list of highest sales.

The house at No. 103-105 set the record for 2018 when it changed hands for $11.6 million.

Property records show Mr Palmer’s latest purchase was built in 2006 and sits on a 809sq m block with 20m of beach frontage.

Mr Velissariou described the fivebedroom, seven-bathroom home in his listing as “meticulously designed” with “the highest quality materials and finishings”.

While it wasn’t officially on the market when Mr Palmer bought it, Mr Velissariou knew the owner would be interested in selling if they found a buyer willing to pay the right price. “I took the property to market a few years ago and it never achieved what we wanted it to achieve,” he said.

He said there was an offer on it back then but it fell over so when Mr Palmer came looking for a special beachfront home, he knew this was the one.

Clive Palmer has splashed $12 million on a mansion on Hedges Ave, Mermaid Beach.