One of Australia’s finest architectural works of art came on the market more than a year ago, but after a lukewarm response, the “masterpiece set in paradise” is now slated to be sold to the highest bidder at a no-reserve auction on Nov. 30.
The Unique Estates property listing notes the house—owned by prominent Australian stamp collector Rod Perry—was designed by award-winning architect Charles Wright. Located in the Daintree rainforest in Queensland, Australia, the house was also nominated for the 2014 Queensland Architecture Award.
Wright was commissioned by Perry in 2008 to build a sustainable estate that would complement its natural wetland habitat and operate off the grid.
“Spectacularly positioned in the heart of the Daintree at Cape Tribulation and yet walking distance from a secluded yet dramatic ocean beach Alkira is an architectural masterpiece. As though floating on the water which surrounds it, the home rises up out of the ground and displays an extraordinarily unique marriage between form and function,” reads the property listing. “Perfectly suited to the eternally mild climate that this region affords the central living areas connect seamlessly with nature. A large open air living area connects the 5 en-suited bedroom wings which protrude elegantly out over the lake which envelopes the home and feature timber lined rooms and Chillagoe marble bathrooms.”
Perry purchased the 40-hectare lot for $1.725 million AUS in 2006. Last June, the asking price was dropped from $14 million AUS to $8.8 million ($14.3 million Cdn., to $8.99 million Cdn., respectively). At the end of this month, it will be sold to the highest bidder.
STAMP COLLECTOR
The ‘Stamp House’ owes its name to owner Rod Perry, who commissioned noted designer Charles Wright to build the home in 2008.
Wright refers to the residence as the “Stamp House,” which owes its name to Perry, who has collected, sold and studied stamps since the age of 14.
“‘Stamp collecting became a very big thing after the war,” Perry told Domain in 2014.
“In the fifties they use to give packets of stamps out when you bought a gallon of petrol and that is how stamps became hugely popular with kids my age at the time,” added Perry, who started his own auction firm in Melbourne, Australia, and employed nearly 15 people at his peak. He has since sold the business to a Sydney firm.
“I have also made some fortuitous investments over the years,” he told Domain. “I saved up and bought a house and then was able to buy other properties and some shares as well.”