Qantas boss bites back over $19m mansion buy

PHOTO: Qantas boss Alan Joyce

Undersiege Qantas boss Alan Joyce has launched a ferocious defence of his spending habits, including his $19 million Mosman mansion, just days after the Flying Kangaroo’s announcement of a jawdropping $1.9 billion loss.

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With Qantas under fire over poor customer service, extended wait times for flyers, drama over lost bags and late flights, amid legal action over its move to lay off workers, Joyce launched a passionate defence of his own record as airlines boss.

And said he was tired of being forced to justify his professional and personal decisions.

Joyce’s $19m Mosman mansion. Picture: RealEstate.com.au

Joyce and his husband, Shane Lloyd bought the six-bedroom mansion fronting Mosman Bay, with netted harbour pool, jetty and private berth in May and had reportedly planned to spend more money on a small redesign of the blue chip home.

“Why is it relevant what I do in my private life? I’m not a public figure. People regard the CEO of Qantas as like a politician and it definitely shouldn’t be. It’s a business figure,’ Mr Joyce told The Australian.

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The home overlooks Sydney Harbour.

And has water views from many of the rooms.

Joyce is under fire after Qantas posted a $1.9bn loss. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

“It’s been well reported over the years how much I get paid, so I do have the money because Qantas went to record profits and had a record share price.”

The grand north shore home has been owned by former foreign exchange dealer Alison Ethell and her sister, Jane, since 1993 when it cost $1.25m.

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Originally built in 1908, it was redesigned in 2015 by architect Paul Moon and is now a three-level luxury residence with formal and casual living areas, a cinema and wine cellar.

But still, it’s been seven years … and the interior shots available on the Ray White website are fairly limited and, let’s face it, a bit boring and bland.

It’s a grand north shore home.

That dates back to 1908.

And has been tastefully redesigned in 2015.

No wonder the lads, moving from their three-bedroom apartment, bought for $4,575,000 in the Harry Seidler-designed Cove Apartments at The Rocks in 2008, want to put their stamp on the place.

Joyce and Lloyd also own a Palm Beach holiday house that cost $5.25m in 2015.

That boasts five bedrooms, five bathrooms and a lap pool, plus 180-degree panoramic views across Whale Beach to Cape Three Points.

On a 1000 sqm block, it was designed by the renowned local architects Gartner Trovato and only two years old at the time of the purchase.

Joyce bought this Palm Beach holiday home for $5.25m.

It’s no doubt worth considerably more now.

But it could well have had another design tweak since these photos were taken, too.

Given many building experts suggest buyers allow an extra 10 – 15 per cent on top of the home purchase price for renovations, Joyce and Lloyd could be looking to spend around $3 million on an upgrade of the character home.

That would certainly go a long way towards a significant contemporary lifestyle improvement on the 116-year-old home.