Son of Blackmores founder lists one of two homes on same street for $13m

Marcus Blackmore, the son of the late Maurice Blackmore who founded the Blackmores vitamin brand, and Marcus’ wife Caroline Blackmore, have listed one of their two Bayview homes with a price guide of $13 million to $14.3 million.

Caroline told this masthead they never intended to live in the three-bedroom, five-bathroom property which is now on the market.

Records show the Blackmores bought an existing two-storey dwelling on the site for $5.7 million in 2023. Approved DA plans lodged with council reveal demolition of the house and construction of a new three-storey abode, with estimated cost of works to be almost $1.1 million.

The Blackmores were inspired to undertake a renovation on the property using another renovation project with the same architect and builder behind their other Bayview house, Walter Barda of Walter Barda Design and Peter Schooley of Touchstone Construction Group.

“They were responsible for our nearby home. It was a big project, but the whole process was seamless and a joy,” Caroline said. “Once again, this project has been stress-free, and we are thrilled with the outcome. It’s such a unique property.”

Its interiors are modern with limestone and timber floors, a bespoke staircase and lift access. There is a boathouse and a rooftop entertainment area with an outdoor kitchen, terrace and spa, allowing for views overlooking Pittwater and Scotland Island.

The Blackmores’ main residence, which is not for sale, is on the same street. The existing dwelling on the site was bought for $9.25 million in 2016, records show, from Matthew Gilmore, the co-founder of OzForex, an online foreign exchange portal.

Approved DA plans reveal demolition of the abode and construction of a new home with a pool, with estimated cost of works to be around $3,375,000.

Marcus’ late father Maurice, a naturopath, established Blackmores in 1932. Marcus took over leadership in 1975, two years before Maurice died, serving as executive chairman until 2017.

Marcus was then executive director until 2020, with a brief stint as interim CEO in 2019, and stepped down from the board as a director in 2020.

When Japanese conglomerate Kirin agreed to buy Blackmores for $1.88 billion in 2023, Marcus, who owned an 18 per cent stake in the business, collected a reported $344 million from the bid.

Marcus and Caroline are now focused on philanthropic endeavours, having established the Blackmore Foundation in 2006.

Monika Tu and Phillip Sheh of Black Diamondz Property Concierge are selling the Bayview home.

Point Piper buyers revealed

Steven Moss, the son of the late Sam Moss, who co-founded the Katies women’s clothing empire, and Steven’s wife Carol, have emerged as the buyers of a Point Piper mansion, the highest residential sale so far this year in Sydney.

Property tycoon and Rich Lister Robert Magid and his wife Ruth sold the five-bedroom, five-bathroom house for an undisclosed figure, believed to be around the $75 million guide, on September 30, the same day the Reserve Bank hiked the cash rate to a 15-year-high.

Michael Pallier of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty, who sold the residence alongside Pillinger’s Brad Pillinger, confirmed it sold for a figure around the $75 million guide, but would not divulge the exact sales price nor the buyer’s identity.

However, a caveat on the title was lodged last week by Steven and Carol Moss. The exact sales price will be revealed at settlement.

The Mosses also own a four-bedroom, four-bathroom Bellevue Hill home, purchased for $14.5 million in 2024 from Anthony Tzaneros, of the ACFS freight family, and his interior designer wife Poppy O’Neil Tzaneros.

The Mosses made headlines in 2022 when they sold their Scottish baronial mansion, Uig Lodge, in Point Piper, for $130 million to Scott Farquhar, the co-founder of the software giant Atlassian, and his wife, investment banker, Kim Jackson.

Writer’s new chapter

Award-winning author Libby Hathorn has sold her Centennial Park home for a figure around the $11.5 million guide as she looks to downsize locally, local sources say.

Hathorn has written more than 80 books for children, young adults and adult readers, and her young adult novel Thunderwith was made into a movie called The Echo of Thunder, starring Australian actress Judy Davis.

Hathorn’s accomplishments include The Lady Cutler Award for distinguished services to Australian children’s literature and a Centenary Medal for work in children’s literature.

A sold sticker went up on the listing for the six-bedroom, four-bathroom residence, indicating a sale on September 29 with the sale price withheld. It will be left to settlement to reveal the exact sale price and buyer’s identity, as the listing agents were tight-lipped when contacted.

The circa 1924 property, purchased by Hathorn and her late husband John Hathorn, was offered to the market for the first time in 45 years.

Approved DA plans lodged with council over the years reveal $99,000 worth of alterations and additions and a replaced tile roof for $40,000.

Maclay Longhurst and Robert Le of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty sold the home but declined to comment on any aspect of the sale.