The history behind Mosman’s Urunga – the iconic harbourside home that just sold for $20 million.

By ANNA USHER

Interest rates may be rising, but the Reserve Bank’s hikes have had little effect on Mosman’s resilient property market.

Case in point is this Smith and Cabban trophy home at 2 Buena Vista Ave in Clifton Gardens, which sold just shy of $20 million this week through Nick Gittoes and Anthony Godson at Atlas Lower North Shore.

The pair, both in their 30s, are the youngest sales agents in the area to ink a deal of this calibre.

“Stock levels are down, and there are abundant buyers in the top end, which helped us with the sale,” Mr Gittoes told Mosman Collective.

“We had the right plan and worked with the vendors to achieve an incredible result.”

Owned by Antique collector Edmund Braude, the Heritage Listed property known as “Urunga” last changed hands in November 1990 for $2.625 million – a record result at the time.

The Federation Queen Anne estate was built in 1901 and sits on 2775 sqm of award-winning gardens adjoining Ashton Park Reserve.

With five bedrooms, three bathrooms, dual access and parking for six cars, Urunga is one of Mosman’s most significant land holdings, sitting behind wrought iron gates and at the end of a winding driveway.

There is a full-sized billiard room, 4000 bottle wine cellar and adjacent tasting room, a library and magical Japanese landscaped gardens with stunning views across Sydney Harbour.

Named by its original owner, timber merchant Frederick Matthews, after the milling town near Coffs Harbour, Urunga was purchased by Sir Robert Webster in 1938.

Webster developed the home’s original tennis court with his second wife into a large, ornate u-shaped pond, an island, and bridges.

A leading industrialist who grew up in Charters Towers, Sir Robert started working life as a telegraph boy before taking up cotton farming after World War One.

Perhaps the most famous story in Urunga’s history came in 1950 when the Websters gathered 14 former telegraph messengers for a meal around their grand dining table who had become leaders in their various fields. They included Sir William McKell, Sir Hubert Opperman and Cardinal Sir Norman Gilroy.

In 1978, the property was recorded by the National Trust as part of the Buena Vista Avenue group and classified as a Heritage Item.

In 1980, Dr David Fox and his wife bought the home – selling it three years later to piano wholesaler Peter Haywood in 1983.

In 1990, the Braude family became custodians of Urunga and have spent the past 30 years raising their family in the idyllic setting.

Confidentiality meant Mr Gittoes could not reveal the buyer’s identity, but he did say a local family with children had purchased the estate.

“The new owners are a Sydney family with a huge interest in character, landmark buildings,” Mr Gittoes said.

“They are very private and passionate about restoring historic structures to their full potential.

“Urunga will be beautifully looked after and maintained for the next wonderful chapter in its history.”

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