WHALE BEACH 27-29 Morella Beach Road
$1,850,000 |
Reprinted from 'The Manly Daily Property Guide' Saturday February 20th 1999. REMEMBER the hit song Tom Dooley, the civil war movie theme that reached number one in the hit parade in 1958? Well, the man who wrote it, Dave Guard, owned this Whale Beach home and used the living room as to a recording studio for many other folk songs. He was a member of The Kingston Trio, made up of three young American college students, who were at their height in the late 1950s and early 1960s. But he was also a family man who wanted more time with his wife and young children. |
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The Kingston Trio came to Australia in 1961 for their first tour and Dave was so taken with the area he migrated the following year and bought this sandstone and timber home overlooking Whale Beach for $29,000. He told reporters that the view from the house was better than anything he had found in California, Hawaii or even Europe. Later he left the group and started another called the Whisky Hill Singers, which didn't climb to the same giddy heights. He returned to the States in the 1970s and died there in 1991. The present owner Joan Denesi said the home's views and total privacy are its best features. The post-war house is on a double block, faces north-northeast and has panoramic views over Whale Beach. It is set, on 2000sq m of land with gorgeous established native gardens, lawns, trees and jungly corners that the children will love. There is easy access from the street to the carport and off-street parking for six cars and there is an entry level with three bedrooms and living rooms plus a downstairs level with two more bedrooms and a shower annex. The Denesi family have owned the property for 27 years and used it as a holiday home and home for parties and celebrations. Their daughter Sue-Ellen married in the garden and held her reception on the partially covered sandstone barbecue area with its built-in barbecue, low sandstone wall or bench and garden outlook. Inside there is a living room with open fireplace plus a second lounge which is used for entertaining and which opens on to the barbecue terrace. The gas kitchen is in original condition and looks into the garden and there is an additional covered verandah, which gets the best of the views. The ocean view is across the front of the house where the living rooms are situated and Morella Rd is one street above the beach with views that can never be built out. There is also easy access to the beach. Benjamin Gaze, of LJ Hooker Whale Beach, said the full-length glass doors and windows are timeless even if some of the other inclusions date from the groovy sixties. "This must be one of the few remaining unrenovated homes of such quality in Whale Beach," he said. Inspections are welcome Saturdays between Noon and l pm. |
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SURF'S UP This pristine "Whale Beach 1950's" sandstone and timber bungalow has not been offered for sale for 26 years and must be of the few remaining unrenovated homes built in this unique style. Set on 2000 sqm of land, the residence is completely private and secluded - truly the holiday house time forgot. With the panoramic view perfectly framed through the full length glass doors and windows, the house sits among the most beautiful established gardens - a child's paradise of lawns, trees, jungly corners. There are 3 bedrooms, spacious living areas opening to the verandah, barbeque area and gardens, and two enormous sandstone fireplaces, the bedroom, bathroom and rumpus room under the house could easily be turned into self-contained accommodation. The property has been immaculately maintained and needs no work or would beautifully reward a sympathetic update. |
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