Is this Canberra’s best home? Jawdropping ‘HALO’ set to break property records

A complete rebuild of a tired, 1950s house in the one of Canberra’s most prestigious suburbs has set a new standard for architectural excellence that fuses timeless luxury with cutting-edge tech — and it’s just hit the market.

“We’ve never seen anything of this calibre hit the market in Canberra before,” said local agent, Josh Morrissey of Hive Property, of newly listed 29 Gawler Crescent, Deakin.

Nestled in the prestigious, tree-lined streets of Deakin — one of Canberra’s most desirable suburbs — and drawing its name from the large precast ‘halo’ on the second floor with the handpicked palm tree as a centrepiece for the home, HALO, has emerged from the site of a classic 1950s residence. 

Purchased by builder Ben Matthew in 2023, the seasoned property mogul worked with his friend and architect, Ben Walker, to create a sanctuary that was both technically advanced and deeply connected to its natural environment.

The result is a sculptural, three-level home that appears to float above its landscape on massive concrete datums, supported by striking stone blades.

A fusion of art and tech

Rewriting the rulebook for high-end homes, the stunning property unfolds as a series of meticulously crafted spaces. At its heart lies a vast, circular concrete void where a single, majestic 13-metre palm reaches for the sky, bringing the outdoors in with a dramatic flair. 

One of the property’s most compelling features is its kinetic facade. Composed of over 4,000 individual aluminium slats, this smart skin automatically adjusts to the sun’s position throughout the day, providing dynamic shading and a unique visual effect. It’s a testament to the home’s technological prowess and its commitment to energy efficiency, all without compromising on design. 

“The home also has Australia’s largest manufactured double glazed circular skylights throughout the home,” Mr Morrissey told realestate.com.au.

“This bathes the house in light, creating a feeling that you’re up in the sky. There is a rooftop terrace on top of the home with 360 panoramic views over the city, from Parliament House to the distant hills, which is another luxury first for a property of this calibre in the area.”

The luxe factor continues with a heated pool, spacious outdoor entertaining space and a kitchen suitable for both grand-scale entertaining and quiet family moments, dominated by a four-meter Tundra marble slab that serves as the centrepiece.

A separate, fully equipped butler’s pantry ensures the main living area remains a pristine space for socialising. 

Painstaking attention to detail 

The duo — who already proved their house design prowess with a property in Carnegie Crescent, Narrabundah, which broke local records — have designed and built the residence Goldilocks-level fastidiousness and attention to detail.

Case in point:  search for the dry-stacked grey sandstone walls in the formal living room. Ben and Ben spent month after month sifting through stone samples to find just the right tone and grain, creating render after render, until they eventually found it in a Byron Bay quarry.

It was then a matter of hiring a trucking company to do a 26-hour round trip with multiple trucks, hauling 60 tonnes of raw material back to Canberra, where it was broken up and carved by hand. 

“The effort that has gone into this project to achieve the vision of the owner has been next level,” said Mr Morrissey. “Their willingness to push the boundaries through design, quality and level of finishes has created a home that is years ahead of its time for Canberra.”

Given the depth of care and passion that has gone into the property, potential buyers might wonder exactly why Ben and his family have decided to leave prestigious pad so soon after its completion.

Turns out, a holiday in Queensland — coupled with a surprise viewing of a house in the Sunshine State — made the builder and his brood yearn for life in a warmer climate. 

A new standard for Canberra’s elite market 

Deakin is already one of Canberra’s most sought-after suburbs, with its leafy streets, proximity to the city, and historic homes. And with a median house price sitting at $1.8 million, it’s a market that typically attracts buyers with a keen eye for quality, and interest has already been strong. 

“We’ve had 345,000 digital impression so far across different channels and we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback through our pre-market private viewings.”

Given the increase in overseas interest in Australian prestige property, Mr Morrissey is confident that HALO has what it takes to both attract international buyers and to break the exisiting $9.2 million Deakin benchmark. 

“HALO his definitely in the league to attract strong international interest — indeed, we’ve already had interest through our network. The premium schooling options attract a lot of international interest for families to relocate and send their kids to school, plus there are vast business opportunities here. 

“This would be such a hard home to replicate, and the time and cost and stress involved to achieve the finished product will definitely translate to the higher end of the price point for the suburb.” 

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