Ken Jacobs of Christie’s International Real Estate regularly sells some of the most prestigious properties in Australia, and has recently been appointed to sell Fairwater in Sydney by the Trustees of the Estate of the Late Lady (Mary) Fairfax.

According to Mr Jacobs “Last year Australia ranked number three in top sales in the world of property”.

“In the Sydney property market there are a variety of market sectors each reacting differently,” Mr Jacobs told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

“You’ve got the housing market, apartment market, prime locations, city locations, city fringe, the country and all different price points.

“They react differently, some are stagnant, some are moving forward, and some are softening.

“That said, there is a shortage of quality stock at the premium end of the market but we look forward to the traditional increase in new listings coming to the market at this time of year,” Mr Jacobs continued.

“At the very top end there are only a couple of properties coming onto the market. It is crazy when you get buyers wanting to spend $20 million and you really can’t satisfy them with a variety of stock!”

WILLIAMS MEDIA exclusive: Interview with Ken Jacobs of Christie's International Real Estate. Source: Goldeneye Media

Ken Jacobs is selling Fairwater, the largest privately-owned harbour side landholding on the Sydney Harbour, at 1.12 hectares.

It was designed (circa 1882) by famed architect John Horbury Hunt, and is reportedly expected to be worth over $100 million.

“Fairwater represents an extraordinary opportunity to acquire Australia’s most desirable residential holding.”

“The property’s appeal reflects its unquestionable position as Australia’s most revered and significant home.

“It is remarkable that an estate offering such rare and unrepeatable features still exists in Australia today; this opportunity will not come again.”

Mr Jacobs said a harbour side estate of this size, 5.5 kilometres from the CBD of a major international city is rare by any standard.

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“Fairwater is a world class showpiece offering unprecedented attributes of historical significance.

“No Australian home has so consistently been the backdrop for social, charity and business functions attended by a who’s who of Australia’s and the world’s most influential people.

“Whilst the inherent value is second to none, the new owner will appreciate the opportunity to inject their personal style and bring the home into the 21st century.

“When Fairwater’s sister property Elaine came to the market, it set a new benchmark, yet, Fairwater is over 4,100m2 (an acre) larger."

Mr Jacobs sold Elaine at 6980sqm, for $71 million.

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Christie’s International Real Estate is set to expand to Melbourne and Queensland, as soon as Mr Jacobs finds the right partners.

“I’ve wanted to do this for sometime jointly with Christie’s, and we now have the commitment from the company.

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“Melbourne is a major international city, as is the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and we want to replicate what we are doing in Sydney in other states.

“It will be a very bespoke business. We aren’t a volume based agency, and we don’t want to be as we couldn’t have the focus we have now.”

Mr Jacobs has been in the real estate industry for over 40 years and at the helm of Christie’s in Sydney for 19 years.

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