Mermaid murals and water views: vibrant harbor unit for sale – realestate.com.au

Vibrant beach murals and flowers adorn the walls of this soulful home on Sydney Harbour. But even for those who prefer neutral, they will still love the price tag.

If you’re enchanted by mermaids dancing on your walls, vibrant beach scenes on your ceilings, and a hallway that feels like a whimsical underwater tunnel, then you’ll love this harborside apartment that once belonged to an artist.

But if that’s not quite your taste, you’ll still love this place – and especially the price tag, which has been reduced to take into account the atypical decor.

McMahons Point, the one-bedroom treasure at 4/120 Blues Point Road, was once the colorful retreat of eccentric Sydney advertising icon Susie Henry.

Ms. Henry joined Leo Burnett in 1985 and served as personal assistant to the CEO, Chairman and CFO before taking on the role of front desk receptionist.

Vibrant paintings of Australian flora and fauna, sun-drenched beaches and marine life cover the ceilings and walls. Image: realestate.com.au

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Since her death in 2021, her home has been preserved as a work of art by Stephanie McMilan, who bought the house from Mrs Henry’s family in 2022 for $960,000, knowing it would make a fantastic holiday rental investment.

“I loved that it had a great location, that it was a small stone and that it was fun – that was the extra icing on the cake for us,” she said.

The property has been used as a popular Airbnb in recent years. Image: realestate.com.au

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Being just a stone’s throw from North Sydney and almost a stone’s throw from the CBD across the harbour, Ms McMilan said the apartment is popular with guests, especially overseas visitors, both during the week and on weekends.

“For an investor interested in high returns, Airbnb is the solution, and we get a lot of traffic because of the way it is. It’s a special place,” she said.

“But there are some eccentric people who might like to live in it.”

The one-bedroom unit offers harbor views. Image: realestate.com.au

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The house is cozy with an area of ​​69 m², but unique. There is an open plan living and dining area leading out to a wraparound balcony overlooking Berrys Bay, a renovated bathroom, a bedroom with ornamental fireplace and a dated but stylish kitchen.

And throughout, interiors are decorated with Henry’s bright, hand-painted murals celebrating Australia’s flora and fauna, sun-drenched beaches and our fantastic underwater world.

Each room is unique. Image: realestate.com.au

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The top floor strata apartment is tucked away at the rear of a six-person boutique building in the heart of McMahons Point village.

With Ms McMilan moving to Dubai, the house is for sale through private negotiations for $1.05 million.

Listed by Lorinda Mansfield and Maggie Mackenzie at Raine & Horne Lower North Shore, Mrs Mansfield described the house as “a work of art and local history”.

The bedroom’s decorative fireplace features a portrait of the late Susie Henry. Image: realestate.com.au

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She said it had attracted interest from locals and first-time buyers wanting an affordable slice of harborside living, adding it was also ideal for investors, art lovers or those looking for a home or city base with a soul.

But it won’t appeal to everyone, she added, which is influenced by the target price. A comparable newly renovated apartment in the area would typically sell for $1.15 to $1.2 million, she said.

The unit is priced accordingly due to the home’s polarizing decor. Image: realestate.com.au

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The average price for apartments in McMahons Point is $1.15 million, down 13.2% over the year.

“It’s an interesting property with interesting artwork and it will suit a certain taste,” she said.

While Ms Mansfield accepts that some buyers might cover the house with white paint to enhance its appeal, she believes others would find their paradise.

“For some people it may feel overwhelming, but for others they may want to come home after a stressful day and float with the mermaids.”

The house is for sale through private negotiations for € 1.05 million. Image: realestate.com.au

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Henry himself admitted that the decor was overdone.

‘No one would ever buy anything [this place]they couldn’t live here,” she said in a 2020 video celebrating 35 years with Leo Burnett.

“But I’m not going anywhere.”