THE historical Sydney landmark, The Keepers Cottage, has been snapped up for more than $7 million by powerful Chinese billionaires before it even had a chance to go to auction.

Jianmin Song and Hailing Xu of Chinese conglomerate Nanshan Group bought the iconic Vaucluse residence for $7.5 million, two weeks ahead of its private auction scheduled for October 22.

“We had other offers in the vicinity of the sale price. Jianman Song and his partner in the sale, Hailing Xu, were very clear that they wanted to negotiate prior to auction,” selling agent Evan Williams of Ray White Double Bay said.

Earlier this year, the Nanshan Group purchased a 20 per cent stake in Virgin Australia for $260 million.

 

 

The heritage-listed property, located on Old South Head Road, was built in 1881 by James Barnett as the Keeper’s residence of the adjacent c1818 Macquarie Lighthouse.

The property sits on 2600 square-metres of manicured land and features four bedrooms, working stables, a jacuzzi, a cool room and an aviary.

 

 

The sandstone cottage with its unobstructed ocean views will now be the Sydney residence for the Nanshan Group when the Chinese billionaires are in Australia.

“The Group have a lot of business dealings in Sydney. The Keeper’s Cottage will be their Australian home,” Mr Williams said.

 

 

The sellers of the cottage, Stephen and Carmen Davidson, bought the property back in 2002 as the family home. They renovated extensively in 2010 and said it was an emotional experience to let it go.

“We have tested the market before, but only now were we prepared to let go of the property,” Mr and Mrs Davidson said. “It has been an emotional decision for us.”

 

 

Jianmin Song is now just the third private owner of the The Keeper’s Cottage.

“It was originally owned by the Commonwealth,” Mr Williams said.

 

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