Arnaout's Hunter Valley palace Sweetwater back on market after decade
Duncan Hardie built the Mediterranean-style castle over 10 years. Sam Arnaout bought it in 2016 for about $12 million.
Billionaire property developer Sam Arnaout is selling Sweetwater, his sprawling Hunter Valley estate. Arnaout bought the Mediterranean-style castle in 2016 from Duncan Hardie for about $12 million.
Hardie and his wife Lyn spent 10 years building it. Hardie and his wife hoped for $30 million at first.
The price fell to $15 million, then $12 million. The home has eight bedrooms and ten bathrooms.
It sits on 120 acres. It includes a chapel, wine cellar, and vineyards dating to 1829.
There is also a gatekeeper's cottage with a $40,000 limestone bathtub. Arnaout has sold Newcastle venues this year.
He would take control of a Cairns casino.
- $12 million in 2016
- Purchase price
- 10 years by Duncan Hardie and wife Lyn
- Construction time
- 120 acres
- Land size
- $500 million to Redcape in July
- Hospitality venues sold
Why it mattersShows how very rich developers buy and sell expensive regional properties. They also branch out into hotels and gaming.
AustraliaHunter Valley property market gets a high-profile listing; signals how billionaire portfolios shift between property types across Australian regions.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
