Billionaire audio king Peter Freedman lists Potts Point properties worth over $50m
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In a surprising move, billionaire Peter Freedman, renowned founder of Rode Microphones, has placed two of his prominent Potts Point properties on the market. The listings, managed by TRG founder Gavin Rubinstein, include the historic Jenner House and a luxurious penthouse in the Ikon building. The combined value of these properties exceeds $50 million, marking a significant moment in Sydney’s high-end real estate market.
Jenner House, located at 2 Macleay Street, is a landmark property with a storied past. Originally designed by Edmund Blacket and built in 1871, the mansion features a third-floor addition by Thomas Rowe from 1877. Freedman acquired the property for $30.35 million two years ago after it passed in at auction. The mansion, sitting on nearly 2000 square metres of land, offers breathtaking harbour views and has been meticulously restored by its previous owners, luxury car dealer Terry Mullens and his wife, Wendy, who purchased it for $15 million in 2009.
The property, which has been known by various names over its 150-year history, including Fleet Club, Stramshall, Jenner Private Hospital, Kurragheen, and Lugano, was added to the NSW State Heritage Register in 1999. Freedman had planned an extensive $11 million upgrade to the Regency Revival-style manor, which was approved by the City of Sydney in January. The renovation plans included “landscaping, extension of the existing basement, new glass house and reinterpretation of the stables,” according to sources familiar with the project. However, insiders suggest that Freedman decided against undertaking the major renovation, opting instead to sell the property.
“He wants something that’s already done,” a source close to the situation revealed, indicating Freedman’s preference for a property that requires less work. This sentiment aligns with his decision to list the mansion and the nearby penthouse simultaneously.
The penthouse, located at 1804/81 Macleay Street, was purchased by Freedman for $16 million in 2018. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence boasts uninterrupted city and harbour views from every room, complemented by triple garaging. It had briefly appeared on the market via Rubinstein in September 2023, shortly after Freedman’s acquisition of Jenner House.
Rubinstein, known for handling trophy homes in Sydney’s elite real estate circles, was unavailable for comment on the sale or pricing expectations. However, market experts speculate that the mansion could fetch upwards of $35 million, given the current strength of the luxury home market this spring.
In addition to Jenner House and the penthouse, property records indicate that Freedman owns several other apartments in the Ikon building. These include a three-bedroom sub-penthouse acquired for $8.2 million in 2023 and a three-bedroom apartment on level 12, purchased for $5 million in 2017.
Freedman’s real estate moves are closely watched, not just for their financial implications but also for his reputation as a savvy property investor. The audio mogul, who gained international attention for purchasing Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar for a record $9 million in 2020, has consistently demonstrated an eye for valuable assets, both in the music and real estate industries.
The sale of these properties marks a new chapter for Freedman, who appears to be consolidating his assets in preparation for future ventures. As the Sydney real estate market continues to thrive, the listing of Jenner House and the Ikon penthouse is set to attract significant interest from potential buyers, eager to own a piece of Sydney’s architectural history and luxury living.