Sydney’s skinniest harbourfront: Lady Susan Renouf would have loved the red-carpet welcome

The late socialite Lady Susan Renouf — famous for her sense of fun and once owning Sydney’s skinniest harbourfront home — would have been most impressed.

The six-metre wide, four-level, four-bedroom residence at 3A Carthona Ave, Darling Point has recently hit the market with the agent Benjamin Goodwin, and he had the red carpet rolled out for my exclusive tour.

There was only one thing missing — Renouf liked serving pink French champagne to her guests from 10am.

This is Goodwin’s first major listing with Ray White Eastern Beaches (he was previously at McGrath and Ray White Double Bay), and there’s a $15.5m guide for a February 12 auction.

“There is simply not another home in Sydney like it,” Goodwin says. “It’s a once-in-generation opportunity to secure a magnificent waterfront holding.”

So it’s fitting Goodwin hasn’t held back with the welcome or presentation.

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The late Lady Susan Renouf pictured in 2015 with Phar Lap’s Melbourne Cup, which she owned.

3A Carthona Ave, Darling Point, is Sydney’s skinniest harbourfront home at just 6m wide. Stairs lead to a private beach.

It’s been a city bolthole for current owner Fiona Brown, the Dicker Data computer parts co-founder — who bought it for $6.34m in 2014 — and had been looking a little tired before Goodwin got the listing.

He’s had 43 tradespeople through the door in 12 hours including painters (they even did the pool area); gardeners (note the pencil pines on the terrace); stylists (two sets — initially the look was black, changed to white — the cocktail trolley could easily have been one Renouf might have had) and even technicians quoting on a possible lift to glide between each level (it would cost $200k he says).

The house was built in the 1980s by the veteran property developer Bill Shipton on what had been a 207sqm right-of-way slipway for nearby flat owners.

But despite being 6m wide, it doesn’t feel small inside because you can open doors to northerly harbour views on each level.

And the result of Goodwin’s work is wow factor — a makeover of earlier brilliance.

Was it Renouf, who owned it 1994 -1997, who was responsible for the mirrored walls in the powder rooms and bathrooms? Probably. Maybe all the marble is by the next owner, Melbourne socialite Dianne Allen, who bought it for $2.9m.

The red-carpet welcome.

Three of the four bedrooms have harbour views, two open to terraces.

In 2009, it sold to the landscaper Jack Merlo for $6.15m.

I love the skydeck, but my favourite feature is a natural one — the private beach.

Now, that’s a real bonus!

Renouf died of ovarian cancer on her 74th birthday in 2016.

She was married three times, all of which ended in divorce — the politician Andrew Peacock between (1963-78); the British gambling tycoon Robert Sangster (1978-85 and the New Zealand financier Sir Frank Renouf (1985-88).

During her life, Lady Renouf owned several beautiful Sydney homes, including the “pink palace” Villa Balena in Whale Beach where Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, once came to stay; and Toison d’Or (also called Paradis sur Mer) in Point Piper.

The open-plan living room

The entertainment terrace

She once told Jonathan Chancellor: “I always wanted a house by the beach.”

Lady Renouf was recalling her holidays at Whale Beach during the 1960s, but no doubt she also enjoyed the sandy beach in Darling Point.

3A Carthona Ave is just a seven-minute boat commute from the home’s sea wall through to the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

Taking from classic British Georgian style influences, it incorporates beautifully detailed interiors, combining classic elegance with modern comforts.

Facing north, every level of the property leads out to uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, Manly heads and beyond.

3A Carthona Ave, Darling Point. NSW Real Estate.

Benjamin Goodwin has recently joined Ray White Eastern Beaches.

It has level parking for two cars at the front street level of the home.

There’s private access for boats and an outdoor entertaining patio perfect for cocktails on a sunny afternoons spent by the pool.

The incredible oceanfront swimming pool is perched right on the water’s edge and has a wet bar.

There are two more outdoor terraces, one with a remote-controlled wind sensor pergola.

Other features include reverse-cycle airconditioning through the home with additional under floor heating.

It also has a 24-hour back-to-base security alarm system with full CCTV throughout the grounds.

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