Lisa Wilkinson’s $23m Federation home in Cremorne draws huge interest

Peter FitzSimons and Lisa Wilkinson are downsizing. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Media power couple Lisa Wilkinson and Peter FitzSimons have been attracting a storm of interest from prospective property buyers since deciding to list their home of 30 years for over $23 million.

The couple were reported to have made the decision to sell the property in Sydney’s lower north shore in the hope of downsizing.

And the move is showing early promise, with the listing last week becoming the most viewed home up for sale nationally on realestate.com.au.

That was despite the price tag 23 times higher than the national median house price.

The couple have owned the home in the suburb of Cremorne since 1998 when they paid just under $3 million for the five-bedroom house overlooking the Harbour.

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The home sits on 3214 sqm.

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Known as Ingleneuk, the house was built in 1903 and is described in the listing as a “magnificent example of superbly preserved Federation architecture”.

And while the home has attracted a lot of interest online, the couple’s decision to sell has also garnered a mixed reaction on social media, with a Facebook post by the Mosman Daily announcing the sale getting over 1,200 comments.

They ranged from observers commenting on the property’s coveted features to questions about the couple’s views. One commentator said: “How hypocritical”, alluding to the couple’s larger home size despite FitzSimons’ reported views about Green policies and sustainability.

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One of the five bedrooms.

Another said: “Big Pete the lefty. It’s fine for him to be rich in a $23m mansion, but the rest of us should suffer under his Green agenda.”

Others were more sarcastic. “Just a couple of everyday Australian battlers,” another comment said.

There was even a cheeky dig at Ms Wilkinson’s departure from Channel 9 in 2017, when it was revealed she was earning less than Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic. “Imagine what she could have bought if she was paid the same as Karl,” the comment said.

“Seems to be doing alright (sic) by the look of it,” another comment said.

It’s expected to sell for around $23m.

One user commented: “this is the dude who screams ‘let the refugees in’ knowing they could not afford a taxi fare to his suburb”.

It should be noted there were also multiple users who dismissed such comments as “jealousy”.

The Cremorne home has one of the biggest landholdings in the area.

A development application is currently in place for a new triple garage with interconnected studio accommodation and a new garden room.

It’s understood that the sprawling 3125 sqm estate had become surplus to the needs of the former Today show host and FitzSimons after their three children moved out.

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The family at the home in a 2016 picture.

The impressive land size was the result of the couple adding two adjoining lots, which had been subdivided off the original 122-year-old estate – to return it to its original size and double street frontage.

The house has a full-sized floodlit tennis court, heated pool and spa, cabana with a wet bar and landscaped grounds. It has been listed with BlackDiamondz agents Moniku Tu and Jad Khattar.

A range of personalities have been reported to have visited the estate of the years, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, actor Simon Baker, Hugh Jackman and celebrity chef Nigella Lawson.

Wilkinson and Wallaby turned author FitzSimons bought the Cremorne house after selling a previous Mosman home for about $1.66 million, records showed. The couple married in 1992.

Inside the home.

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