Luxury home becomes Canberra's most expensive for the second time in 30 years

A Red Hill home has become the most expensive house in the territory, three decades after it first broke the record.

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The seven-bedroom, five-bathroom house at 4 Vancouver Street had been held for almost 30 years exactly by one family, who bought it in May 1996 for $1.75 million.

At the time, it was the most expensive house sale in the ACT's history.

The house is entered via a grand outdoor curved staircase. Picture supplied

The house was sold by Michael Morris and Josh Morrissey of Hive Property on October 19, once again becoming a record for the territory, though for what price remains a mystery.

"It broke the record 30 years ago, so it seemed appropriate that it was going to break a record when it became available again," Mr Morris said.

Mr Morris was unable to comment on the sale price.

He said however that it sold for a "substantial increase" on the old record, and within the guide range.

The glass windows in one of the living areas are curved to match the exterior of the house. Picture supplied

The previous record had been held by 82 Empire Circuit in Deakin, which sold for $9 million in October 2022 after two years on the market.

While Red Hill is not exactly known for its humble lodgings, the sale of 4 Vancouver Street would have also far exceeded the average price of a new home in the inner south suburb, which sits at just more than $2 million, according to Cotality data.

The master suite includes a bath surrounded on all sides by grass. Picture supplied

"There's only a few quiet streets with large blocks," Mr Morris said.

"It's easy to find larger land holdings in the area, but properties of this scale on Vancouver Street are hard to come by."

House renovated in the early 1990s

Before the sellers bought the property in the late -1990s, the house had been owned by Canberra-born architect Gary Willemsen.

The extensive grounds include a pool, tennis court and lawn. Picture supplied

A multi-year renovation transformed the 9,195-square-metre property into the luxury family home it is today, complete with custom joinery, a sunken living room and floor-to-ceiling windows following the same curved shape of the oversized terrace and stairs leading up to the house.

Mr Morris said the layout was a large part of what made the house so attractive.

The parents' quarter offers a private sitting room, walk-in robe and ensuite, which includes a bath surrounded on all sides with glass walls and ceiling to look out over the garden outside.

The children's suite, which comprises three smaller bedrooms and a separate living area, is conveniently located at the other end of the house. Three additional bedrooms each have their own ensuites.

There are also multiple living areas, including a family room and rumpus room.

An outdoor pool overlooks the rest of the property. Picture supplied

Outside, the property also includes a pool, courtyard, pond, lawn and tennis court, and private "tennis house" with a bathroom, shower and kitchenette.

"What made it valuable to the family who bought it back then, this new owner has bought it for similar reasons," he said.

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