The Classic Beach House
Original Designer
Architect Unknown
Designed and Built
Circa 1952
Alts + Adds
1997 and 2007
Alts+Adds Architect
Michael Hesse and Associates
Location
Whale Beach, Northern Beaches NSW 2107
Specification
3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car (DLUG)
Program
Main living set East to West with second storey main suite
Photography & Cinematography
© Will Farge
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Introduction
Once a fixture up and down the coast, the Australian beach house is rapidly becoming an endangered species.
Over the past decade many of these utilitarian dwellings, originally designed to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, have been knocked down with more striking architectural statements taking their place. As part of this transition, traditional materials like timber and sandstone have given way to concrete, marble and glass.
Under these circumstances the timber-framed, north-facing beach House at Rayner Road, Whale Beach is a rare find. Just a 60-minute drive north from the Sydney CBD, with its northerly aspect and 180-degree ocean views it functions as the perfect weekender.
“Calming, gentle and restorative, a rare example of a reimagined 1950s beach house - welcome to your future summers...”
The House
Built for the renowned journalist Margaret Vaile in the 1950s, it has been cleverly renovated by architect Michael Hesse to modernise the living spaces and maximise its magnificent site while maintaining the classic beach vibe.
Julian and Trish Canny have owned the house for over 30 years. “It has been the perfect weekender for the family, and as the family has grown, so has the house,” Trish says. “Our brief to Michael was simply to connect the outdoor spaces with the in doors and maintain the laid-back beach house character we had loved at first sight.
Hesse answered the brief with many simple yet clever innovations. Today every light filled room boasts views stretching from the Barrenjoey lighthouse to the Central Coast, bi-fold doors access the wrap round timber verandas and the laidback beach house style remains intact.
Also many features from the 1950s remain unchanged. The three stone terraces and much of the low maintenance plantings (including the original azaleas that burst into vibrant bloom each Spring) provide great spaces for entertaining. “The terraces all have their special functions,” Trish explains. “The eastern side with its access to the kitchen is perfect for long summer lunches, while the wood-fired oven on the western terrace has been a godsend for children’s pizza parties especially during the Christmas holidays.”
“We loved every minute of living here,” Julian says. “It’s been the family destination for birthdays, Christmas celebrations and even weddings. But my favourite time is winter, when the beach is deserted and thanks to the aspect we have almost summer warmth during the day and a roaring fire at night.”
Views extend beyond Whale Beach to the beaches of the Central Coast. Sea eagles rise on the afternoon up-currents, dolphins ride the bow waves of the passing yachts and humpback whales make their annual migration between April and November. Simply, idylic.
“North facing, panoramic ocean vistas from every living space, indoors and out. This is the dream Northern Beaches weekender.”
Floor Plan
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Specifications
Address
23 Rayner Road, Whale Beach NSW 2107
Specifications
3 Bed, 3 Bath, 2 Car (DLUG) and multiple outdoor living
Approx. gross internal external living area
288 sq m
Approx. gross land area
486 sq m
For Sale
Private Treaty
Price Guide: $5.0M
View: by Appointment
Marcus Lloyd-Jones
Modern House Estate Agents
Mobile: 0424 00 55 31
National: 1300 814 768
International: +61 2 8014 5363
Email: viewings@modernhouse.co
Location
The two premier streets in Whale Beach are both north facing cul-de-sacs. Rayner Road is one of them. It’s elevated position means it is without peer when it comes to both solar access and tranquillity. Both are treasured qualities in this popular iconic world-class beach precinct, where the topography is such that a majority of homes face due east and, consequently, lose direct sun early in the day. The beauty of this particular Rayner Road position extends to complete protection from southerly winds of any hue and a vibrant garden that basks in winter sunshine and adds a decidedly Mediterranean flavour to this Australian seaside abode.
In summary, 23 Rayner Road offers a prime coastal lifestyle with breathtaking panoramic views and seamless indoor-outdoor living. This beautifully reimagined property combines luxurious interiors with expansive terraces, perfect for relaxation and entertaining. Situated just a short stroll from Whale Beach and the Whale Beach Rock Pool, residents enjoy convenient access to the ‘golden-sands’ of Whale Beach and crystal-clear waters. The property’s elevated position ensures privacy while capturing the essence of beachside living, making it an idyllic retreat for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
Photo: Whale Beach Rock Pool featured in the book, Rock Pools of Sydney, by photographer Vincent Rommelaere.
Architect's Plan
Background/Provenance
Margaret Vaile was Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald women’s pages in the 1960s, being one of the last to edit a separate women’s section in a newspaper. She oversaw the evolution from reports solely on fashion, parties and charity work to features covering women in business and politics. She was the daughter of Hugh Strafford Vaile, a milliner of Neutral Bay and his wife Anne Marion (nee Burke). After education at Loreto Convent, Margaret worked at Perpetual Trustees. She joined the WRANS in 1943 and worked on press liaison as a second officer at HMAS Kuttabul naval base. At the end of the war, she worked in Sydney on The Sun women’s pages but in 1947 went to work in London for the Australian High Commission where she became the first official hostess at Australia House. In 1953 Margaret returned to Sydney and joined The Sydney Morning Herald where, in 1962, she became women’s editor for both The Herald and The Sun-Herald. In 1979 she received an MBE for services to women and the community and in that same year retired to her home at Whale Beach.
Source: Bob Pauling SMH, 17 December 1991
Ms Vaile left the property to her three nephews, who included former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile, and who jointly put the house on the market for the first time in the early 1990s upon receipt of this inheritance.
The original owner/developer
Margaret Collett Vaile, MBE (1920-1991)
For Sale
Private Treaty
Price Guide: $5.0M
View: by Appointment
Marcus Lloyd-Jones
Modern House Estate Agents
Mobile: 0424 00 55 31
National: 1300 814 768
International: +61 2 8014 5363
Email: viewings@modernhouse.co