A Brisbane mansion which made headlines around the world for its secret Batman tunnel has been snapped up after only weeks on the market in a record deal worth more than $8.3 million.
Dubbed one of the city's "coolest pieces of residential engineering", the six-level luxury home at 128 Crosby Road, Ascot, drew comparisons with the Batcave at Wayne Manor for its secretive entrance ??? a 50-metre concrete enclosed tunnel which extends upwards to an underground bunker-like garage capable of accommodating eight to ten cars.
Its incredible images featuring 180-degree views of Brisbane were beamed across the world, featuring in the New York Financial Times, Mansion Global and the Daily Mail UK, as well as online, print and TV news Australia-wide.
While the exact sale price is shrouded in secrecy, marketing agent Tyson Clarke of Queensland Sotheby's International Realty confirmed the sale eclipsed that of 26 Mayfield Street, Ascot, which sold in July and was listed for expressions of interest in the range of $7.5 million to $8.5 million.
It also smashed the $8.3 million sale of 24 Palm Avenue, Ascot, which sold off-market in February and has set the highest sale price per square metre ever recorded for a property in Ascot.
"There is a real shortage of prestige property available and buyers at the top end of this market between $4 million and $10 million are out in force. For property owners, this presents the perfect opportunity for off-market private transactions and securing of top dollar prices," Mr Clarke said.
Mr Clarke said he received enquiries from as far afield as Sydney, Melbourne, London, New York, Toronto, Hong Kong and Singapore, with more than 90 groups vying for the chance to secure the private blue-chip site, but it the property was snapped up after only 34 days on the market.
Reminiscent of a Hollywood film set, the house is edged into Bartley's Hill, taking in 180-degree views of Brisbane.
Owned by construction boss owner Brett Walker ??? who coincidently has the same initials as Bruce Wayne ??? the hilltop home took a whopping 30 months to build, with 12 months of that spent just on excavation and retaining.
The house is set over six incredible levels comprising 1409 square metres of total living area. With six bedrooms, six bathrooms and multiple lavish entertaining areas, it's a showcase in contemporary yet very liveable design.
Mr Walker told Domain in June that he never set out to build a Batman house specifically but wanted to utilise the spectacular site and create an amazing family home.
"It wasn't on purpose, that's not really my go," Mr Walker laughed. "The tunnel has always been a massive wow factor and it makes my mates laugh, but the whole Batman thing, it's not really my style.
"Apart from the tunnel, it's the view that always shocks people," he says. "The view blows them away."
The extensive list of luxuries attached to this property also features a theatre, study, billiard room, wine cellar, enormous storage space, two swimming pools, a gymnasium spanning half a level, a zen room, outdoor kitchen and two laundries.
