A stunning cliffhanger home in Dover Heights has just hit the market, attracting a flood of interest from buyers. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom residence at 32 Wentworth Street sits on 531sqm, offering breathtaking ocean views and a prime location.
Since the listing went live, TRG Associate Director Cae Thomas has received an overwhelming number of inquiries.
“This house is going crazy online,” he said. “We’ve had 49 inquiries overnight.” Thomas also noted that they turned down offers ranging from $15 million and $16 million during an off-market campaign.
Luxury Upgrades and High-End Design
Owners Steve and Nicole Coppola, who operate Coppola Home at Moore Park Supa Centre, have transformed the property since purchasing it for $12.9 million in 2021.
They have installed a brand-new pool and spa, redesigned the outdoor area, and added underfloor heating in the kitchen and living spaces. A collaboration between award-winning firm Hare & Klein and Stratti Building Group has further enhanced the home’s sophisticated design.
Dover Heights Property Market Continues to Soar
Recent sales in Dover Heights show that demand for premium properties remains high.
-39 Portland Street sold for $16.8 million, setting a suburb record at the time.
-More recently, celebrity accountant Anthony Bell’s home in Hunter Street fetched $21 million, pushing local property prices even higher.
According to Thomas, buyers rarely get the opportunity to secure a true clifftop position in this sought-after suburb.
Securing a clifftop home in Dover Heights remains a rare opportunity Thomas says, with properties in this prime location seldom hitting the market.
With high demand from both local and international buyers, this home is likely to sell quickly. Interested buyers should act fast to secure a viewing or place an offer.
Dudley Page Reserve in Dover Heights is gearing up to welcome families and locals for its ticketed New Year’s Eve celebration, providing stunning panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and the world-famous fireworks display.
Located just 3.5 kilometres southeast of Bondi Beach and 5.5 kilometres from Randwick, Dudley Page Reserve has become a favourite for its elevated position, offering unobstructed views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and city skyline. As a ticketed venue, it promises a more controlled and enjoyable experience for attendees, with family-friendly amenities and entertainment to complement the fireworks show.
The reserve is one of the few eastern suburbs locations providing a curated New Year’s Eve event. With tickets priced at $65 for adults, $30 for children, and $170 for a family package (2 adults, 2 children), it offers a safe and festive environment for families and friends.
A Record-Breaking Fireworks Display by Foti International Fireworks
The 2024 Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks, designed and executed by Foti International Fireworks, promise to be one of the most innovative displays in the event’s history. With a legacy of pyrotechnic excellence dating back to 1793, the Foti family has spent more than 4,500 hours preparing this year’s spectacle.
Photo Credit: Supplied
This year’s display will feature:
Aerial Pyrotechnic Platforms: For the first time in Australia, four aerial platforms will hover between the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, launching approximately 600 effects in the 9:00 p.m. and midnight shows.
Expanded Firing Locations: The Harbour Bridge will have 264 firing positions, an increase from 184 last year, including 80 new positions on the western side. This expansion allows for extended views and a broader visual impact for spectators.
Drop Comet Fireworks: A technological innovation enabling fireworks to cascade from the Harbour Bridge in shapes like sharks, fish, and the word “Sydney” in a waterfall effect.
The sheer scale of the production includes:
9 tonnes of fireworks launched from 16 locations across Sydney Harbour.
Over 13,000 aerial shells and 40,000 ground-based effects, with more than 30,000 effects fired from the Harbour Bridge alone.
23,000 pyrotechnic cues, ensuring the display is perfectly synchronised with custom soundtracks.
The Foti team of 70 pyrotechnicians has installed over 80 kilometres of wiring and 16 computers to coordinate the display, making it one of the most technologically advanced shows in the world.
The 9:00 p.m. family display will feature an 8-minute soundtrack titled Our Greats, created by producer and ARIA Award winner Nooky, highlighting Australian talent. The 12-minute midnight show will be set to a specially composed soundtrack by Luna Pan, blending orchestral, techno house, reggae, and more to reflect Sydney’s vibrant and diverse culture.
The Foti family takes pride in continually innovating and evolving their displays. Their efforts ensure Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks remain among the most anticipated and visually spectacular in the world, attracting millions of spectators locally and internationally.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Family-Friendly Festivities
Dudley Page Reserve New Year’s Eve event features live DJ performances, roving magicians, face painting for children, and lawn games for families. Food stalls and a licensed bar will be available on-site, although attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic food. However, alcohol is not permitted to be brought in, and glassware is strictly prohibited.
Seating is first-come, first-served, so visitors are encouraged to bring picnic rugs or low chairs. High-back chairs are only allowed for those with mobility needs and will be positioned towards the rear of the crowd.
Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Evening
Public transport is the recommended way to access Dudley Page Reserve, as nearby roads will close from 6 p.m. Limited parking is available, but buses will run to and from the venue throughout the evening. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., giving attendees ample time to settle in before the 9:00 p.m. family fireworks and the midnight finale.
For those unable to attend in person, live coverage of Sydney’s fireworks will air on ABC TV from 8:30 p.m., with online streaming on the official event website and ABC iview. The synchronised soundtracks for the 9:00 p.m. and midnight shows will also be broadcast on KIIS 1065.
Perched on the cliffs of Dover Heights is the Holman House, one of Australia’s most celebrated architectural masterpieces for its award-winning design and community significance.
Designed by Durbach Block Jaggers and completed in 2004, Holman House gained widespread recognition after winning the Wilkinson Award from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in 2005.
The house is famed for its dramatic cliffside placement and sweeping curves, inspired by a Picasso painting. With panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and a design that seamlessly integrates with the rugged coastline, Holman House has become a standout feature of the Dover Heights landscape.
The house’s design features bold shapes that float over the cliff edge, an engineering feat demonstrating innovation in Australian architecture. Its projected forms and utilization of natural materials establish a visual balance with the environment around it, making it a point of pride for locals and a fascination for architectural enthusiasts worldwide.
Though a private residence, Holman House has become a cultural marker for the Dover Heights community. Its striking design reflects the area’s reputation for bold, forward-thinking architecture that embraces its natural surroundings. Locals often mention the house as a source of inspiration, pointing to it as a model of how modern homes coexist with the Australian coastline’s dramatic beauty.
The house is frequently the subject of architectural tours and photography, drawing visitors to the area who come to admire its unique design. While it remains privately owned, Holman House has an almost public role in shaping Dover Heights’ identity as a hub for innovative residential design.
The Significance of the Wilkinson Award
Winning the Wilkinson Award in 2005 cemented Holman House’s place in Australian architectural history. The award, one of the highest honours for residential design in the country, is given to projects that exemplify excellence in form, function, and environmental integration. Judges praised the house’s ability to balance structural daring with a sense of home, calling it a benchmark for modern Australian housing.
Efforts to maintain such homes protect their artistic and historical value and inspire future designs in the area. Local heritage advocates have often highlighted Holman House as an example of how modern architecture can pay homage to the natural landscape while remaining functional and liveable.
Holman House also questions the balance between private property and public appreciation. While it is a family home, its prominence has made it a public interest and architectural study subject, demonstrating how residential design can transcend its original purpose.
Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell has reportedly sold his Dover Heights clifftop residence for approximately $21 million, shattering the suburb’s previous record sale.
The luxurious Hunter Street property, which Bell acquired in 2017 for $11.5 million from television personality Larry Emdur and his wife Sylvie, has nearly doubled in value over seven years. This sale eclipses the previous Dover Heights record of $16.8 million, set just months ago in March for a property on Portland Street.
A caveat on the property’s title, dated September 6, reveals the buyer as Guanda Hu. While the exact sale price remains undisclosed, sources close to the deal estimate it at around $21 million. The rumoured sales agents behind this record-breaking transaction are Luke Hogan and William Manning of McGrath Double Bay, who have been experiencing a successful spring sales period.
Simon Felich, a valuer from Dyson Austen Advisory, commented on the significance of the sale: “This is a monster result, eclipsing the previous record by 25 percent. It demonstrates the growing appreciation for east-facing cliff-front homes and the sunrise views they offer.”
The property itself is a testament to luxury living, boasting over 1000 square meters of land, five bedrooms, a pool, and expansive glass walls that maximise the breathtaking ocean panorama.
This sale marks another chapter in Bell’s high-profile real estate moves. The Bell Partners CEO had originally purchased the Dover Heights home following his public split from estranged wife Kelly Landry. Now engaged to ex-cricket WAG Annika Martyn, Bell has reportedly acquired a $9.657 million apartment in the Rosewater building opposite Rose Bay Marina, sparking speculation about his future living arrangements.
After 26 long years of being a cold case, an 81-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the murder of his wife in Dover Heights which occurred on March 10, 1998. Aaron Govendir was taken into custody on Thursday morning in connection with the death of his wife, Denise Govendir.
The case dates back to the early hours of that fateful day when emergency services responded to reports of a home invasion on Dover Road. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of 53-year-old Denise Govendir. At the time, Mr. Govendir, then 55, claimed that an unknown intruder had broken into their home, assaulted both him and his wife, and fled the scene in their car.
However, NSW Police now allege that Mr. Govendir fabricated the break-in to cover up his wife’s murder. Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, NSW Police Homicide Commander, stated in a press conference that the arrest was the result of a thorough reinvestigation of the case.
“We’re actually drinking from the well that was previously drunk by others,” Superintendent Doherty explained. “The original brief of evidence was very sound and solid. Getting fresh medical evidence, fresh forensic evidence, and really building what we allege in court is a strong circumstantial case… we now have sufficient evidence today to charge this man with murder.”
The breakthrough comes after years of investigation, including a coronial inquest held between 2005 and 2008, which confirmed that Ms. Govendir died as a result of blunt force head injury intentionally inflicted by a person or persons unknown. In November 2021, NSW Police launched another investigation into the murder, and last year, a $1 million reward was announced for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Superintendent Doherty describe d Mr. Govendir as “emotionless” during his arrest, noting it as unusual. He also mentioned that family members of Ms. Govendir reacted with “mixed emotions” to the news of the arrest. The couple had two children together.
“It was a point where that family has been holding the burden of grief for some time, but they have also held a lantern of hope for the last 26 years,” Superintendent Doherty said. “Today we have been able to give them the news they have been waiting for a long time.”
Police will allege in court that the robbery was staged. “This was a woman who lost her life violently in her own home,” Superintendent Doherty emphasised.
Mr. Govendir has been refused bail and is scheduled to appear before Penrith Magistrates Court on Friday. The arrest marks a significant milestone in this long-standing cold case, potentially bringing closure to a family that has waited over a quarter of a century for answers.
The Clifftop Walkway project in Dover Heights and Vaucluse will move forward as per the approved Development Application plans, despite the privacy issues raised by residents.
The walkway’s redesign caused an uproar among residents before it was built, as they were concerned that the raised boardwalk would enable visitors to look into their houses. The occupants of the Vaucluse Waters building, designed by Harry Seidler, are primarily concerned about the absence of consultation and the possible infringement of privacy.
One resident expressed frustration, stating that the community needed to be informed that the new boardwalk would provide direct views into their bedrooms. He also highlighted concerns about increased noise due to the materials used for the walkway, which remains open at night.
Before the construction, Waverley Council said it would review a secret report discussing the redesign, which includes lowering parts of the boardwalk by over a metre to address privacy issues. However, a staff have warned that this change could pose legal risks. Removing the lookout points might drive visitors to dangerous cliff edges for photo opportunities, raising safety concerns.
Construction and fabrication work for the boardwalk and lookout had been on hold while the Council thoroughly investigated residents’ concerns.
In 2019, the decision to replace the old coastal boardwalk and viewing platforms was made after determining they had “reached the end of their serviceable life.” The new elevated design aimed to prevent tourists from climbing off the path to take selfies, but the execution has led to unforeseen privacy invasions.
The project has faced several setbacks, including landslips before construction began and cost blowouts due to rising material costs and supply chain issues. Initially estimated at an additional $500,000, the cost of lowering the boardwalk has added financial strain.
Waverley Liberal councillor Will Nemesh acknowledged that while the coastal walk is one of Sydney’s most spectacular, the council must balance public access with residential privacy. He mentioned that nearly all council construction projects have been affected by external factors, causing further delays.
Despite the complications, Mr Nemesh insists that the coastal walk should be an asset for the entire community to enjoy, emphasizing the importance of getting the final design right to ensure both accessibility and privacy.
Following independent reviews of privacy concerns raised by residents about a section of the boardwalk and lookout area, the Council determined at its meeting on 21 May 2024 that the project will continue as per the approved Development Application plans.
Contractors will now complete the final section, which should take about four months, weather permitting. The contractor has started work at Eastern Reserve to ensure progress, including emergency stormwater upgrades at George Street and Ocean View Avenue.
Construction will continue to advance at both locations, with a top priority on completing stormwater works. The initial phase of the Diamond Bay project is anticipated to be accessible to the public in the spring.
A police chase through the Eastern Suburbs ended with the arrest of two men in Dover Heights following reports of an armed individual seen near the home of former nightclub owner John Ibrahim.
The incident unfolded on Thursday, 25 July 2024, at approximately 8:20 a.m. Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command officers responded to a call about a man wearing a balaclava and carrying a pistol on George Street, Dover Heights.
Pursuit and Arrest
The two suspects, aged 20 and 24, fled the scene in a Cupra SUV. Police caught up with the vehicle on Old South Head Road in Bellevue Hill, where a pursuit began. The chase ended with the driver’s apprehension, while the passenger briefly escaped on foot before being arrested in a nearby backyard on Banksia Road.
During a search of the vehicle, police discovered two pistols and other items. Detective Inspector Adam Solah stated that one of the firearms was believed to be loaded. Both weapons, described as a semi-automatic and a revolver, were taken as evidence.
Charges and Court Appearance
The two men face multiple charges, including:
– Possessing loaded firearms in a public place – Possessing unauthorised pistols – Police pursuit offences – Stalking/intimidation
They were refused bail and are scheduled to appear at Waverley Local Court on Friday, 26 July 2024.
The incident caused concern among local residents. Bellevue Hill Public School activated emergency procedures, with students and staff locked in classrooms as a precaution. Principal Sue Bennett assured parents that post-incident support would be available if needed.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have not yet determined why the men were in the area but confirmed they were not locals. Detectives were seen examining the street in Dover Heights and spoke with John Ibrahim, though there is no suggestion of his involvement in the incident.
A combination of sudden downpours and runoff along Oceanview Avenue caused the sinkhole, which swallowed part of a road.
The dramatic incident took place on a street where a sizable landslip had previously occurred a year earlier. Although no injuries were reported, NSW SES volunteers, along with police and Fire and Rescue NSW officers, swiftly responded to secure the area and divert water away from nearby properties.
Waverley Council, which had already invested in stabilisation works near the site following the landslip, revealed plans to fast-track permanent repairs. These works, originally scheduled to commence in a few weeks, will now begin immediately, aiming to establish a retaining wall and enhanced stormwater infrastructure to address the demands of future extreme weather events.
The Dover Heights sinkhole is one of many incidents requiring emergency response in Sydney following the heavy rainfall. SES crews have attended over 140 calls, mostly related to leaking roofs, fallen trees, and one flood rescue incident, where the individual managed to escape danger before help arrived.
Alarming footage has surfaced depicting occupants of an erratic ute, prominently displaying P-plates, allegedly hurling water bomb balloons at a young schoolboy, pedestrians, and other road users within the vicinity of Dover Heights.
A concerned motorist filmed the incident while the white ute travelled along Military Road in early 2 February 2024. The footage showed objects thrown from the driver and passenger windows at people walking on footpaths and a delivery driver on a bicycle waiting at an intersection. The objects splattered as they hit the ground.
A schoolboy standing on a roadside corner was hit by one of the objects, as close-up footage showed his soaked shirt. The ute was also filmed going down a one-way street in the wrong direction.
The man who filmed the incident supplied the footage to NSW Police but told the media that no action had been taken. Police, however, said they had no record of the complaint and asked for the details again.
The following day, the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command indicated that the incident was being investigated.
“’As investigations continue, anyone with information or dash-cam footage is asked to contact Eastern Suburbs Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 300 000.”
The Warren Zines Reserve in Dover Heights will get to keep its name and a proposal to name it after Adam Goodes will not push through, contrary to reports of a planned change.
The reserve that features a lookout along Cadigal Place has been dedicated to the memory of Australian bowler Warren Zines since 1999.
Mr Zines tragically died in Tel Aviv in 1997 due to the collapse of the Maccabiah pedestrian bridge. Some 60 members of the Australian-Jewish delegate were in the Israeli city for the Maccabiah Games.
For over two decades, the naming of the Warren Zines Reserve, which was part of the Dover Heights Bowling Club, had not been a problem with locals. The site was chosen as Mr Zines and his family were avid bowlers and members of the club. The Zines also ran a local pharmacy.
Photo Credit: nicelocal.com.au
However, Sam Collins, a resident from Bondi discovered an oversight in the naming process as Waverley Council still needs to register Warren Zines Reserve with the Geographical Names Board (GNB). Mr Collins filed an application with the GNB to replace the reserve’s name with the Adam Goodes Lookout, after the Indigenous AFL legend.
In a radio interview, Mr Zines widow, Lynette Zines, said that she was heartbroken about the plan to rename the park in honour of her departed husband.
“I have no problem with a park being named after Adam Goodes,” the widow said. “But don’t take away the name of another park.
However, the Gujaga Foundation, which conducts audits on naming and referencing Aboriginal cultural locations, does not support the renaming as Cadigal Place does not “possess a high level of significance to the local Aboriginal community.”
Meanwhile, Waverley Council has since made moves to correct the oversight and GNB sought a public consultation to retain the name, “Warren Zines Reserve.”
“The Board acknowledges the reserve has been unofficially called Warren Zines Reserve for more than 20 years and the changing of long-established names can cause confusion and disruption,” Chair of the Geographical Names Board Narelle Underwood said in a statement.
