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The Block’s Darren Palmer sells Bondi Beach pad for a whopping $8.25 million – making a tidy profit on luxe coastal rebuild

BBG News

Designer Darren Palmer, famed for his work on The Block, discreetly sold his lavish abode at Bondi Beach for an impressive $8.25 million. This sale price is significantly higher than the initial amount he invested in the property.

46-year-old Palmer and his husband Olivier Duvillard, a cosmetics executive, successfully purchased their four-bedroom, four-bathroom retreat, which is only a stone’s throw away from the ocean, having withdrawn it from auction earlier this year.

On Sir Thomas Mitchell Road, the couple initially listed their property for sale at a suggested price of AUD 7.95 million in April. However, as no suitable buyer appeared during the auction, they decided to pursue a private sale instead.

Their patience paid off.

In an unpublicized deal, celebrity representative Alexander Phillips successfully closed a transaction to a client from his contacts list, breaking the local record for the highest price ever paid for a property on that particular street.

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In 2015, Darren and Olivier purchased a 1930s California bungalow for $2.98 million, and they extensively renovated it in a significant rebuilding project in 2022.

This three-story home boasts designer touches everywhere – from the eye-catching open fireplace to the kitchen made of natural stone, the luxurious master bedroom that feels like a dream, and an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by swaying palm trees.

In that interview with Home Beautiful this year, Darren shared an interesting fact – this house I’m currently living in has been mine the longest, apart from the times when I was still a youngster.

Back in the mid-2010s, I, a diehard fan, snatched up a house that had already undergone a transformation into a two-story beauty by its previous owner. However, the moment the author laid eyes on it, he couldn’t resist dreaming up his own remodeling schemes!

Darren teamed up with architect John Deuchrass and building firm Taste Living to carry out a full renovation of the house once he had purchased it.

Darren shared with Domain, “There’s plenty of room for upgrades in that aging home. Over the years, I’ve daydreamed about its potential once it’s fully renovated.

He mentioned that he preserved a single bedroom featuring its authentic 1920s horsehair plaster, intricate ceiling design, but chose to refurbish the remainder of the house over the course of two years.

It’s not the only property Darren and Olivier have offloaded recently.

As a devoted admirer, I too participated in the discreet transaction of selling our tranquil Byron Bay sanctuary for an impressive $2.6 million. This enchanting abode now belongs to Candice Rose O’Rourke, a renowned fashion entrepreneur and founder of the beloved lifestyle brand Zulu & Zephyr, along with her esteemed partner Josh.

This enchanting seaside property, nestled only a short 100 meters from Tallow Beach, featured a personal access route to the sand, providing an authentic Byron Bay experience. Imagery of spacious, airy interiors, soft color schemes, and design elements that encourage barefoot comfort come to mind when envisioning it.

Darren will, meanwhile, return to The Block when the renovation series returns to TV in August.

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2025-07-06 12:03

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