Luxury WA retreat that hosted Lady Gaga is on the market for $20 million
One of Australia’s most magnificent private estates is still searching for a new owner – and the price has dropped, to further entice anyone with a spare $20 million to invest in a slice of palatial paradise.
A stunning and secluded sanctuary on WA’s south coast, Maitraya – meaning place of loving kindness – is a pristine 202-hectare property 20 minutes from Albany in WA’s Great Southern region, overlooking Nanarup Beach and the Southern Ocean.
Lady Gaga stayed at the Maitraya resort on WA’s south coast in 2010. Photo montage
The retreat has hosted a range of celebrity guests in its time, most notably Lady Gaga, who took time out there in 2010 to relax and escape from the intense pace of celebrity life. She reportedly penned a song on the resort’s grand piano and left a dedication in the guest book.
With 16 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, this property is no small prospect. In addition to being a magnificent home, the estate is currently run as a prosperous private retreat ideal for weddings and functions, with accommodation for up to 60 guests across the main house, Fisherman’s Lodge, Aviator’s Cottage and Country Chalets.
Its features include a private airstrip and helipad, a central atrium with an impressive tropical garden, a pool, spa and sauna which are used year round, a tennis court, children’s indoor playground and a lake which is ideal for kayaking as well as boasting a bountiful supply of WA’s freshwater marron.
The property also hosts more than $1 million worth of sculptures, paintings and murals by some of Australia’s most renowned artists, including Ascension by Tom Bass and Childhood by the Sea, a tile mural by John Olsen.
Nanarup and Salmon beaches, including a private tranquil lagoon, are a five-minute walk.
Selling agent Neil McAllister, of Mack Hall Real Estate, said there had been plenty of interest in the property, both from within Australia and overseas.
He described the resort and its stunning setting as “an empowering place”.
The main bedroom at Maitraya overlooking the Southern Ocean is unofficially named after Lady Gaga. Photo: Supplied
“[There has been] constant interest,” Mr McAllister said.
“We have a Perth-based investor currently doing their due diligence and an ever increasing inquiry rate from Chinese tourism and investment funds.
“It certainly rivals anything in WA that I’ve seen and would have to be ranked as one of the best Australia wide.”
Dream home
Maitraya started out as the dream home of late Albany businessman Paul Terry, who died soon after the home’s completion.
His wife and children remained on the property until 2008, when it was sold to WA businessman Rick Fenny – who then transformed it into the luxury retreat it is now.
Mr Fenny owns several vet practices throughout the Pilbara and Perth, along with the Ocean Park Aquarium at Shark Bay. He is best known for his role in trying to save the life of Western Australia’s most famous dog – the legendary Red Dog. Mr Fenny would often pick up Red Dog in his old panel van, and took him on his last ride to Cossack in 1976 where he was buried.
Mr Fenny put the resort on the market in 2011 saying he’d reluctantly take $30 million for the property. It was later listed at $25 million, and then dropped to $20 million.
Nanarup is secluded and remote, but still close to the South Coast’s main city of Albany, some 20 kilometres to the east.
The area is best known for its stunning white sandy beach, where Taylor Inlet reaches the ocean. The area is visited by whales during parts of the year, and is popular for swimming, fishing and four-wheel driving.
Maitraya is to be sold as a going concern with confirmed and future bookings for weddings, events and functions.
Contact Neil McAllister of Mack Hall Real Estate on 0417 179 218, or at Neil@mackhall.com.au.
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