Sitting in Potts point are a few of Sydney’s rarest and most luxurious mansions. Jenner House is one of three remaining marine villas in Potts Point, which, historically, was filled with villas. Although villas in Potts Point are rare, even rarer is the chance to buy one, but now your chance is here, with the listing of Jenner House as for sale this week.
Jenner House was built in 1871 in the regency revival style. The design was done by renowned Australian architect Edmond Blacket, most well-known for the University of Sydney’s Great Hall and St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. In 1877 a third floor was designed by Thomas Rowe and was built in 1881. It was listed on the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999.
The history of Jenner House is hugely varied. At the time of the building of Jenner House, Potts Point was flourishing with villas. The upper-class wanted to escape the overcrowded and dirty colonies centred around the Rocks and Sydney Cove. Potts Point was allocated, by Governor Darling, as a place where people could build residences that followed “villa guidelines”. It was under these conditions that Jenner House was initially built as a residence. Perhaps the most notable resident of Jenner House was a future King George V, who is rumoured to have used the house during his service in the Royal Navy. From 1915-1945 Jenner House became Jenner Private House, which cared for many prominent politicians. The Commonwealth acquired it in 1940 and, from 1945, was used by the Royal Australian Navy. It was sold off in 1998 for use as a private residence again. Jenner House was brought by its current owners, former luxury car dealer and racehorse owner Terry Mullens and his wife Wendy, in 2009 for $15 million.
The mansion has three floors, a partial basement and a detached garage. There are six bedrooms, including two master suites, of which the king master suite opens onto a verandah with harbour views, eight bathrooms, made up of an ensuite for every bedroom, all of which are full marble, a powder room and a guest bathroom. The garage can hold up to four cars, with an outdoor parking space available for one car. There is an entertainment room, wine cellar and tasting room, and another room that can be used as a gymnasium or artist’s studio in the basement. There is an entertaining deck, and the house has DA approval for a pool and alfresco dining area. Other rooms include a study/nursery, formal dining room, sitting room and lounge room. The chef’s kitchen is fully equipped with a Baron oven with a Teppanyaki grill, a Salamander Grill, Birko steamer, pasta cooker and commercial dishwasher.
The interior design shows the blending of architectural styles that occurred in the late 1800s, with the interior drawing inspiration from the French chateau-style. This is shown in the eleven antique white Carrera marble fireplaces, high ceilings, Herringbone floorboards, bay windows and wall panelling.
Jenner House is a rare piece of Sydney’s history and is expected to sell for $34 million-plus.