Cate Blanchett to give up historic Australian estate for $14.75 million
Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett and her husband, playwright and director Andrew Upton, have put their historic estate in Sydney, Australia, on the market for $20 million AUS, or about $14.75 million U.S.
Built in 1877, the sandstone-faced home known as Bulwarra overlooks the Lane Cove River on about an acre in Hunters Hill, Australia’s oldest garden suburb.
Extensively renovated and updated to a more contemporary style, the house is distinguished by clean lines, open space and neutral tones.
Interiors featuring walls of glass and raised ceilings make up formal living and dining rooms, a center-island kitchen and a lower level with an office/library. A floating staircase framed in jet-black steel extends to each of the home’s three floors.
The master retreat sits in a private wing and has a skylight-topped dressing room. Public areas and each of the home’s five bathrooms take in garden and landscape views.
Outdoors, tree-topped grounds include a guest house, a covered pavilion, a swimming pool and spa and a tennis court. Direct access to the river completes the scenic setting.
Ken Jacobs of Christie’s International Realty has the listing.
Blanchett, 46, is known for her Academy Award-winning performances in “The Aviator” (2004) and “Blue Jasmine” (2013). Among her other film credits is “The Talented Mr. Ripley
(1999), “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy (2001-03) and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008).
Upton, 49, has worked as the artistic director for the Sydney Theatre Company for the last five years, creating adaptations of “Hedda Gabler,” “Don Juan” and “Children of the Sun,” among others. He was the associate producer of the 2005 film “Little Fish” starring Blanchett and Sam Neill.
Twitter: @NJLeitereg
