Laughs at mega mansion auction but no... - Gold Coast News - goldcoast.com.au
Laughs at mega mansion auction but no sale
Melissa Townsend | August 31st, 2009
An animated developer Harry Habul hams it up at the auction
Related Links
THE auction of one of the Gold Coast's most opulent mega-mansions seemed more like a friendly gathering in an Italian courtyard than a serious property sale.
The Madison at The Sovereign Islands went under the hammer yesterday but failed to find a buyer.
Six bidders registered their interest, including one overseas phone bidder, but most of the action was between two parties -- charismatic local developer Harry Habul was one of them.
The bidding started at $5.5 million and within the first couple of minutes it shot past the $6 million mark.
Bidding stalled at $6.3 million. As Ray White auctioneer Nigel Long enticed the bidders to go higher, Mr Habul told him to keep his pants on.
"Why are you rushing? You'll get more later. People need to warm up," he said in a thick Croatian accent.
Mr Long replied he could tap dance or order a few pizzas if it would help.
The bidding continued sporadically in $100,000 increments until Mr Habul re-entered at $6.6 million. After the final call, the auctioneer referred the bid to the owners then put in a bid for $6.9 million on the vendor's behalf.
Mr Habul was upset by this and demanded to see the owners.
The property was passed in but Ray White Runaway Bay/Paradise Point agent Ali Mian said negotiations were continuing.
Related Coverage-->
Mr Habul, who has four adult children and has built prestige homes at Sanctuary Cove, seemed adamant the mega-mansion would be his.
"I like everything about it," he said. "We are going to live here (if we buy it)."
Polish-born owners Richard and Eva Opara bought the European-inspired waterfront mansion for $4.5 million in 2001.
In March, it sold at auction for $7 million to an overseas buyer but that sale fell through.
The Britannic Crescent property, which sprawls over three blocks, was placed back on the market at $8.7 million. Featuring seven bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a grand ballroom, a dining area for 30 guests, tennis courts, a 10-seat cinema and a replica ceiling painting of Botticelli's Birth of Venus, there was no shortage of interest.
Among attendees, world-renowned parapsychologist Zandra Marie de Vere said she felt a 'lot of pressure' when she walked inside the mega-mansion and said it would not sell yesterday.
"There's been a lot of happy times here, but there's also been stressful times," she said.
