TV legend’s former home to be auctioned – realestate.com.au

The former home of the late newsreading legend Brian Henderson and his wife Mardi has come on the market in leafy Middle Cove.

In 2021, the pioneering presenter’s widow sold the landmark five-bedroom property for $11.5 million to Microsoft Australia and New Zealand president Jane Livesey and her husband, former PwC consultancy partner Neil Livesey.

Now the renovated five-bedroom modern townhouse is for sale with Michael Coombs and Peter Kakos of Atlas Lower North Shore with a price estimate of $14.5 million to $15.95 million for the upcoming auction.

The Hendersons had purchased the 1,797-square-foot property with views across the valley to Fig Tree Cove in 1994 for $850,000.

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“Hendo” passed away in 2021.

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The Liveseys have sympathetically renovated the modern house to 21st century expectations.

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They then commissioned acclaimed architect Mike Macauley to create their dream home among the trees.

The newsman, affectionately known as ‘Hendo’, was beamed into the living rooms of Sydneysiders for 40 years until his retirement in 2002. He passed away in 2021.

Surrounded by iconic designer homes, 13 The Quarterdeck was previously a stop on The Middle Cove Walk, a tour organized by the Australian Architecture Association.

Since their management, the Liveseys have sympathetically renovated the modern home to 21st century expectations, with bespoke designer additions throughout.

“It is a very unique design and the renovation is nothing short of sensational. The owners have managed to create a very luxurious lifestyle; the quality of the design and the beautiful surroundings have already attracted so many interested buyers,” said Kakos.

The Hendersons had purchased the 1,797 sq ft property for $850,000 in 1994 and occupied the incredible home.

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The home is framed by striking floor-to-ceiling steel windows to capture nature at every turn.

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The unique brick and concrete home has separate living and accommodation wings with multiple outdoor entertaining areas and two large reflection ponds adding to the peaceful bushland setting.

“That beautiful water feature at the entrance is amazing. As soon as you enter, you know you are in a special place.”

Framed by striking floor-to-ceiling steel windows that capture nature at every turn, the first floor features a family-friendly open plan lounge with a fireplace and dining area.

This everyday space includes the gas kitchen with Calacatta Viola marble worktops, a butler’s pantry, bench seating, a Pitt gas hob, Gaggenau ovens and a Liebherr refrigerator. There is a separate wine and coffee station in the dining room.

The entire area opens onto a wraparound limestone terrace with an integrated pizza oven and barbecue, as well as a renovated spa and plunge pool.

An aerial photo of the building.

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An everyday space features a gas kitchen with Calacatta Viola marble worktops.

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On the ground floor there is a breathtaking games room with a marble bar as its centrepiece, built-in entertainment systems, a temperature-controlled wine cellar with capacity for 1,500 bottles, plus another wrap-around terrace and potential gym.

The bedrooms each have built-in or walk-in wardrobes, as well as New Zealand wool carpets, and the palatial primary suite features a private terrace, Poliform wardrobes and an en suite bathroom with a concrete fluted bath.

Other features include oak parquet floors, underfloor heating and bronze hardware in each bathroom, two powder rooms, air conditioning, a double garage with internal access, native landscaping and DA approval for a new 25 meter swimming pool.

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