A cashed up Aussie entrepreneur has set a new record after snapping up an exclusive beachfront property for a cool $23 million.
Afterpay co-founder Anthony Eisen, who has an estimated net worth of $1.26 billion and ranks number 112 on Australia’s rich list, recently settled a property in the popular beach town.
The 790 square metre house on the front row of Marine Parade, which overlooks the famous Wategos Beach, reportedly sold for $23 million.
That beat the previous record of $22 million, also for a house in the same row of homes.
It was un-renovated and was a modest home, with just three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is 26 years old.
Mr Eisen bought the property back in February but it settled on Wednesday.
The beach house is just one of 12 on the block with a front position on the beach.
Selling agent Will Phillips from Mcgrath Byron Bay would not comment on the price, but he said it had ultimately exceeded expectations.
“The opportunity to buy something on the front row seldom comes up,” Mr Phillips told news.com.au. “We knew there would be demand, we ran an auction campaign with an end date. Prior to that campaign we had some offers, that led to a bidding war.”
The houses along this particular row are “rare” to hit the market, Mr Phillips explained.
“The last one was two years ago, that sold for $22 million,” he said.
“That one was fully renovated … A lot of people assumed it (this one) would sell for less, given it’s the un-renovated version.
“But the ultra prestige market, it’s sort of bucked the trend, it keeps getting stronger.”
Mr Eisen is not new to the Byron Bay area, nor even the Marine Parade block.
In 2018, he bought another property in the prestigious row, paying $7.6 million to Arnotts Biscuit boss Charlie Arnott.
That means he’s spent a total of more than $30 million to secure two houses in the block.
Mr Eisen has joined a row of mostly high-profile locally-grown entrepreneurs who own the other 11 properties on the strip.
There’s magazine publisher Deke Miskin, ACM newspapers owner Antony Catalano, embattled owner of gym franchise F45 Training Adam Gilchrist, coal tycoon David Knappick, former Swisse Vitamins owner Stephen Ring, art collector Steve Nasteski and Bryan Singer, the founder of retail company Rip Curl.
In fact, the latter, Mr Singer, was the previous record holder for paying the most for his home in Byron Bay.
Mr Eisen’s new property previously belonged to a family for 26 years.
It was last sold for $1.225 million in 1997.
“The vendors were cattle graziers, they lived there for almost 30 years. It was a very emotional sale,” Mr Phillips said.
“They (the family) were always confident in how special the product was, they felt like that was justified in the price, they’re very happy.
It’s understood Mr Eisen does not plan to renovate the property at this stage.
The property appears to have been marketed to non-Byron Bay residents, with part of the advertisement reading: “We offer complimentary private airport pick up and drop off for fly in and fly out buyers. Otherwise, private FaceTime viewings are also available.”