Prix D’Amour land sells to Lennon family

Rose and William Porteous have sold a Mosman Park site that formed part of opulent property Prix D’Amour to Peet non-executive director Tony Lennon and his family for $3.75 million.

The widow of mining magnate Lang Hancock, Mrs Porteous, and her high-profile real estate agent husband William Porteous divested a 710 square metre site at 27 Owston Street to Queensland Residential Estates.

The site was the former backyard of Prix D’Amour, which was demolished in 2006 and carved up into 10 separate lots.

The acquisition follows the Lennon family’s purchase of 149 Wellington Street, where Prix D’Amour once stood, for $11.68 million in 2017.

Tony's son Nicholas Lennon is the sole shareholder of Queensland Residential Estates, which is registered in West Leederville.

Anthony [Tony] Lennon, who features in Business News’ rich list, his wife Gwenyth, and their sons Anthony and Nicholas Lennon are listed as directors of the entity.

Mr Lennon told Business News the family purchased 27 Owston Street with a view to develop the site in future.

“We bought it so in time we will build on it, but for the moment we don’t have immediate plans,” he said.

27 Owston Street. Photo: Michael O'Brien 

The Owston Street property was described as the last remaining development site in the Saunders Street precinct, which once housed sprawling mansion Prix D’Amour.

Late mining magnate Lang Hancock and his then wife Rose Porteous built Prix D’Amour in 1990 for $7 million, before Mr Hancock’s death in 1992.

The home, revered for its enormous presence and lavish parties, was bordered by Wellington, Owston and Saunders streets.

Several of the sites have been built by multiple owners since, and Mr Porteous had planned to build at 27 Owston Street but abandoned that idea.

In August 2020, an entity solely owned by Rose Porteous, Lace Enterprise Pty Ltd, sold the site to Shemiran Pty Ltd for $2.7 million.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission records show that William Porteous is the sole director of Shemiran Pty Ltd, but William and Rose as joint shareholders.

William Porteous brokered the transaction, which occurred in February this year.