Luxury car collector selling $28m harbourside home to be closer to the water

Nico Tjen, a luxury car collector and scion of a property development family, has put his Vaucluse home with Sydney Harbour views on the market with a price guide of $28 million.

The car enthusiast, who is known for his love of custom Ferraris and Lamborghinis, for which he has a dedicated Instagram page, is selling as he wants to be right on the waterfront.

Tjen’s two-storey, four-bedroom, five-bathroom residence has multiple al fresco terraces with sweeping views across Sydney Harbour, and is a block away from the water.

There is a resort-style pool and spa, media room or optional fifth bedroom, study and gym. All four bedrooms come with en suites and balconies, and harbour and city views can be seen from most rooms of the house.

Tjen bought the home for $17 million in 2023, records show, from recruitment businessman Duncan Thomson, and his wife, Verity, and freshened up the interiors with new coffered ceilings and lighting. Listing photos reveal floorboards, a neutral palette, a sleek white entertainer’s kitchen and expansive glass to capture the harbour views.

Tjen is well versed in property as the son of Julina Lim, matriarch of the Oceania property development family. He is the managing director of Icon Oceania Corporation, which focuses on hotel and residential development.

Vaucluse’s house price record of $65,250,000 was set in 2017 when hotel mogul Jerry Schwartz, and his wife, Debbie, purchased a six-bedroom, six-bathroom abode from Singaporean tycoon Chio Kiat Ow.

The Agency’s Steven Chen and Yioti Apostol are accepting expressions of interest for Tjen’s home.

Stunning Middle Dural estate on offer

Michael Doubinski, a co-founder of HotelsCombined, and his wife, Olga, founder of swimsuit brand San Tara, have listed their stunning Middle Dural estate with a price guide of $9.5 million.

The couple, who bought the address for $3.2 million in 2021, told this masthead that they began an extension and renovation that year and had the intention of making it their dream home. However, they are selling as they have relocated to Byron Bay.

“Interiors and architecture are my hobbies,” Michael told this masthead. “Our vision was to combine two styles, contemporary minimalism and timeless character.”

On offer is a six-bedroom, three-bathroom house with a pool, tennis court and sauna, on three hectare grounds and surrounded by pristine bushland.

The interiors have been extensively renovated by the couple, with every detail considered, such as the Calacatta Viola marble and brass benchtop in the kitchen, and the floorboards.

“We chose recycled timber floorboards that were laid in a Marie Antoinette pattern and a purposely unpolished texture,” Michael said.

Another statement is a wall-integrated installation by artist Brigita Ozolins, commissioned by the couple, as they were inspired by her work Kryptos, which is exhibited at the Mona museum in Hobart.

Michael was a co-founder of HotelsCombined, a hotel price comparison website, before it was acquired by Booking Holdings, the parent company of Booking.com, in 2018.

He was an advisor and investor in Menulog, is the founder of PennyGranny.com.au, which provides portable cabins and granny flats, and is the chief executive of SDS Australia, a bespoke sauna construction service.

Darren Curtis and Daniel Wilkins of Forbes Global Properties are accepting expressions of interest for the estate in conjunction with William Brush of Manor Real Estate.

Reimagined Coogee residence for sale

Film and TV production whiz Lizzy Nash is downsizing from her two-storey Coogee residence, listing it with a price guide of $7 million.

Nash founded Walkabout Films and The Feds, and has more than 20 years of experience working on TV commercials, documentaries, short films and broadcast programming.

Nash purchased the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home for $6.7 million in 2024 from Chloe Brookman, the co-founder and director of toy and homewares brand Olli Ella.

The home’s aesthetic is a blend of Spanish mission and old Hollywood styles with ornate ceilings, arched windows, stencilled timber floors, an art deco fireplace and French doors.

Nash renovated the provincial-style marble kitchen and transformed the al fresco entertainment area to include a built-in barbecue, pool and hand-cut travertine paving.

Alexander Phillips, Gavin Lewis and Ryan Neil of PPD Real Estate are handling the campaign and an auction has been scheduled for May 16.