PHOTO: Travers ‘Candyman’ Beynon
Travers ‘Candyman’ Beynon Slashes Price on Opulent Gold Coast Mansion Amid Lifestyle Shift
Travers ‘Candyman’ Beynon, the flamboyant multimillionaire and founder of the Free Choice tobacco chain, is making headlines once again. This time, it’s not for one of his legendary parties or controversial antics but for the dramatic price cut on his iconic Helensvale mansion, formerly known as the Candy Shop Mansion. Once listed with a price tag as high as $25 million, the lavish estate is now on the market with an asking price of $18-$20 million, reflecting Beynon’s attempt to shed his notorious playboy image and embrace a quieter family-oriented lifestyle.
Tobacco tycoon Travers Beynon is selling his Candy Shop Mansion
A Monument to Extravagance on the Gold Coast
The property, now dubbed “River Cove Mansion” by Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty, is an extravagant 2,230 sqm estate sprawling across more than half a hectare of prime riverfront land. The grandiose residence boasts 175 meters of linear water frontage, a testament to its unparalleled scale and luxury.
Originally purchased by Beynon in 2010, the estate has undergone extensive expansion, tripling its size to become a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece. The design reflects Beynon’s admiration for the opulent estates of Miami’s South Beach and iconic properties owned by the likes of Madonna and Gianni Versace.
From the moment visitors enter through the massive crested gates, they are greeted by a marble fountain and handpainted frescoes featuring Beynon himself. Every inch of the home screams grandeur, from its ivy-draped walls to its intricate mosaic murals.
The extravagant home at 36 River Cove Place, Helensvale
It was Gold Coast party central for more than a decade
Features of River Cove Mansion
The estate is packed with features that redefine luxury living, including:
- Bedrooms and Bathrooms: 13 palatial bedrooms and 15 bathrooms.
- Entertainment Spaces: Formal and informal entertaining areas, a ballroom, and a professional-grade cinema with 15 plush seats.
- Recreational Amenities: A gym, a showroom-style garage, and an opulent office.
- Pools and Outdoor Areas: A stunning 24-carat gold mosaic-tiled infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a grotto with an underground massage area, a fire pit, and a kids’ pool featuring live fish.
- Gardens and Views: Manicured gardens inspired by Italy’s Lake Como and a towering King Neptune statue.
Two pontoons provide direct water access to the Broadwater and the Pacific Ocean, ensuring the property is as functional as it is extravagant.
Beynon with wife Taesha (left) and girlfriend Nisha at a New Year’s Eve party
The flamboyant businessman and Taesha welcomed a baby boy earlier this year. Photo: Instagram.
From Playboy to Family Man
Once synonymous with hedonism and excess, the Candy Shop Mansion was the backdrop for some of the Gold Coast’s most infamous parties. Thousands of guests clamored for an invitation to these legendary events, often applying online or even tattooing themselves with Beynon’s Free Choice brand logo for entry.
The parties were not without controversy, with complaints from neighbors and fines from local authorities making headlines. Perhaps the most talked-about incident was in 2018, when Beynon was fined $13,000 for displaying a giant topless Virgin Mary statue during one of his gatherings.
Fast-forward to 2024, and the self-styled playboy has traded his wild lifestyle for family life. Now 52, Beynon welcomed a baby boy earlier this year with his wife, Taesha. The flashy Candy Shop Mansion moniker has been dropped in favor of a more subdued identity as a family home, according to Sotheby’s marketing agent Mark Hadir.
The home has multiple formal and informal entertaining spaces
The pool is tiled in 24c gold mosaic
There’s also a showroom-style garage at the property. picture: Instagram
A Global Comparison
While the home’s history adds intrigue, Sotheby’s CEO Paul Arthur highlights its global appeal:
“River Cove Mansion holds its own when compared to waterfront estates and mansions worldwide. A comparable property in Florida’s Palm Beach, for instance, could easily fetch upwards of US$50 million.”
Despite its past, the estate is being rebranded as an executive residence suitable for a family, rather than a venue for extravagant parties.
Shifting Market Trends
Beynon’s move to reduce the property’s price reflects broader trends in the Gold Coast’s luxury property market. High-end real estate is seeing a correction after years of explosive growth, with prospective buyers now prioritizing value over ostentation. The rebranding of River Cove Mansion aligns with this shift, emphasizing its unique features and livability rather than its controversial history.
The fully equipped gym
Gold Class-style movies at home
The mansion has 13 bedrooms
The Future of River Cove Mansion
Will this architectural marvel finally find a buyer? With its blend of historical intrigue, opulence, and practicality, River Cove Mansion represents a rare opportunity for someone seeking an extraordinary home on the Gold Coast. Its transformation from a party palace to a family-oriented estate is not just a rebrand but a reflection of Beynon’s personal journey, signaling a new chapter for both the mansion and its owner.
As the Gold Coast continues to evolve as a hotspot for luxury living, all eyes will remain on River Cove Mansion, a property that, much like its owner, refuses to go unnoticed.
SOURCE: REALESTATE.COM.AU