Property developer Danny Schwartz and fashion and interior designer Uschi Schwartz bought the famous church for $9.3m in 2023 and have transformed it.
Some homes have a great view, others set their own scene. This converted Vaucluse church has both; architectural pedigree and heritage charm.
Now on the market for the first time since its sophisticated transformation from house of worship to designer residence, the iconic property is a unique slice of eastern suburbs history.
Designed in the mid 1960s by architect Donald Gazzard, Harry Seidler’s first apprentice and draughtsman, the former Wentworth Memorial Church is often considered within architectural circles as Gazzard’s greatest modernist work.
In 1985, Gazzard’s practice merged with Mark Sheldon & Associates to form Gazzard Sheldon Architects, which later became GroupGSA.
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”You just don’t see opportunities like this in Vaucluse,” says selling agent Paul Biller.
Harbour views.
The perfect house for Sydney’s outdoor lifestyle.
“Don’s vision was very much about creating an architectural icon,” Sheldon told The Local Project.
“Don was very much about experience, architectural impact, and also function.”
Today’s version of the landmark church at 32B Fitzwilliam Rd is an exercise in modern living without losing sight of the building’s significant past.
Current owners, property developer Danny Schwartz and fashion and interior designer Uschi Schwartz, bought the premises with for $9.3m in 2023 from founder of Spacers Australia, Brent Lobel, who’d paid $6m in 2022.
Paul Biller and Ben Torban of Biller Property have just listed the reinvented residence via an expressions of interest campaign with the asking price yet to be determined.
“You just don’t see opportunities like this in Vaucluse,” Biller said.
The free-flowing living and dining spaces feature cathedral ceilings that reach up to 12m.
Because it was a church, it holds 300 people for a function or events.
Unmistakably Sydney.
“A former church on almost 2000sq m with harbour views is an exceptionally rare combination. It’s a very special property with enormous upside.”
Mrs Schwartz told The Local Project, that the house is now home to many possibilities.
“It has a stage, so we can have concerts there. And because it was a church, it holds 300 people for a function or events,” she said.
Danny added that the pair worked closely with heritage architects.
“We worked very much within the space; converted the spaces that we had into a very simple but beautiful home.,” he said.
“But for us, what we wanted was to really just bring it back to its former glory, bring it back into a space that we could feel at home with.”
Inside, the free-flowing living and dining spaces feature cathedral ceilings that reach up to 12m, and huge expanses of glass capture the harbour views.
What a location!
There are currently two bedrooms.
And two stunning bathrooms.
The smart Boffi kitchen has a 7m island as well as an enviable suite of Gaggenau and Pitt appliances.
Both bedrooms have Carrara marble ensuites, with brushed-brass tapware and rainwater showers. The primary suite features a sculptural freestanding bath.
Throughout the house there are plenty of tactile reminders of the building’s modernist roots, from the original organ pipes and exposed brick, to the timber floorboards, plus charcoal and oak vertical fluted panelling.
Outside, an elevated entertainer’s terrace is big enough for grand family events and is surrounded by established trees for privacy.
The rare residence is a short walk to Parsley Bay beach and reserve as well as Nielsen Park.
Address: 32B Fitzwilliam Rd, Vaucluse
Bed: 2
Bath: 2
Car: 8
For sale: Expressions of interest
Inspect: Saturday 1.15pm to 1.45pm
Price guide: Forthcoming
Agent: Biller Property Double Bay
Contact: Paul Biller on 0411 611 006 or Ben Torban on 0451 540 571
Comment: You just don’t see opportunities like this in Vaucluse. It’s a very special property with enormous upside.
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