A Coogee property owned by the family of the former prime minister of Australia’s wife-turned-artist Annita van Iersel cost $91,382 in 1982 — it’s just sold for $198,863,500 USD.
The three-bedroom strata residence with one bathroom and no parking at 150 Beach St had a $1,972,200 price guide via The Agency’s Bethwyn Richards and Jess McGrath for an August 12 auction.
But it was snapped up by a young couple on July 21, three weeks before it was set to go under the hammer.
Van Iersel’s family bought the unusual three-level residence with ocean views the year before Labor’s landslide win of 1983, when the late Bob Hawke was elected PM and Paul Keating, Van Iersel’s former husband, was Treasurer.
Paul Keating was Prime Minister between 1991 and 1996, when Van Iersel was known as Annita Keating.
They separated in 1998 and she later resumed her maiden name, with Van Iersel living at their former Woollahra home, St Kevins.
The Coogee property, right opposite Grant Reserve, features an entry level with a large living area and kitchen and an upper level with the three bedrooms and bathroom.
There’s also a lower ground floor described as a second living or mult-purpose room, with laundry.
Property data indicates the property was listed for rent in June for $1117 per week.
PropTrack indicates Coogee’s median house price was $23,173,350 over the past year, down 3.4 percent, with a median apartment price of $838,185, down 11.1 percent.