John Singleton sells unique Sydney office
Annie Todd, the former wife of Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, has secured one of inner Sydney’s most unique offices from advertising guru John Singleton, who owned it 48 years.
The Bonython, covering 1431 square metres at 52 Victoria Street and 120B Underwood, in Paddington, is speculated to be trading for just over $30 million.
The property includes a c1890 factory, extended and converted in 1967 to an art gallery by Kym Bonython
Mr Singleton was the next owner – outlaying $300,000 for his ad agency, Spasm – where it was said to have hosted parties attended by Rupert Murdoch, Gerry Harvey and the late Kerry Packer.
In recent years, the property has been retained as an investment – tenanted at various stages to Microsoft, Allan Johnston and Alan Morris’ Mojo Advertising, NineMSN, Seven and Documentary Australia.
With 1251 sqm of lettable area, there are 24 office suites with a concierge.
There is a café too, licensed for 50, around an atrium.
The property also offers 13 car parks (story continues below).
The land is zoned E1 with some development upside.
It is believed Ms Todd will move her philanthropic Cannon-Brookes Foundation into part of The Bonython.
Another trophy
The acquisition comes 19 months since Ms Todd outlaid $23.7m for Queensland’s Dunk Island.
The businesswoman and designer, who also holds a significant NSW portfolio, separated from Mr Cannon-Brookes after 13 years last July; at the time the partnership was worth about c$21 billion, according to Forbes.
Ray White’s Ben Vaughan and Randall Kemp closed an expressions of interest campaign for Mr Singleton, 82, on March 21.
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