Date: 11th April 2003

Crowe's Extravagant Wedding Gift


RUSSELL Crowe appears to have bought his new wife Danielle Spencer a $13.75 million (£5.3 million) wedding gift without his bride even inspecting the property.

The romantic gesture turned out to be Sydney's most expensive apartment - the Finger Wharf, Woolloomooloo penthouse - smashing last year's $10 million (£3.8 million) Horizon penthouse sale.

Taking out the entire second-top floor at the northern end of the wharf, the seven-bedroom, six bathroom, three-kitchen waterfront pad was sold by Tony Dowling, from Baron and Dowling Property Group, and Ken Jacobs, of Christies - the same crew who sold Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski's $8.5 million (£3.2 million) Vaucluse waterfront last year.

Crowe's 1890s Elizabeth Bay home, Berthong, which he bought from friend Lachlan Murdoch 18 months ago for $9.25 million (£3.5 million), is now back on the market for about $11 million (£4.2 million).

Contracts for the new pad were signed by Crowe only four days ago, Mr Dowling said, on both his birthday and wedding day.

The three-year-old apartment was owned by Nutrimetics queen Imelda Roche and her husband, developer Bill Roche, who bought the property for $9.8 million (£3.7 million) in 1998.

The Crowes join only nine other apartment owners in the exclusive north building, including part developer of the apartments, Lang Walker, who owns the top floor.

The pair also become neighbours to radio veteran John Laws.

With water on three sides, the open-plan apartment features 3m Tasmanian ash doors and was "designed for entertaining".

It is more than 1000 sq m, has a huge outdoor terrace off the main living area and comes with a concierge.

"Russell and Danny can go to their floor and not bump into anybody else, which obviously suits them," Mr Dowling said.


Herald Sun

Source: Press Release