A historic terrace home in Surry Hills will soon be up for auction. The Crown street home was once the creative hub of renowned Sydney bootmakers Morris and Adam Perkal, who crafted footwear for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, the King of Tonga, the Beatles, Kerry Packer, and other celebrities.
A Rich History Beckons Auction Enthusiasts
Located on 386 Crown Street, the terrace will be up for bidding on 17 February 2024.
The terrace once housed the workshop of the Perkal brothers. Both of Polish descent, they survived the Holocaust and embarked on a new life in Sydney after World War II.
These renowned bespoke cobblers achieved fame for their craftsmanship, fashioning iconic golden slippers for Queen Elizabeth during her inaugural Australian tour in the 1950s. Their Cuban heel boots adorned the Beatles when the legendary band visited Australia in 1964, and media magnate Kerry Packer was among their most loyal patrons.
A New Chapter After the Perkal Brothers’ Demise
Tragically, the Perkal brothers passed away within a fortnight of each other in late 2013, and their cherished terrace at 386 Crown Street was sold to developers for $1.71 million the following year.
However, its story did not end there. In 2021, Brie Langley, co-owner of the renowned resort-wear brand Sara Fox, and her husband, Damien Langley, co-founder of Student Edge, Australia’s largest student membership organization, acquired the property for $3,695,500.
With their young son Ziggy, they are now bidding farewell to Surry Hills and returning to their hometown of Perth, intent on nurturing their respective business ventures.
A Revived Terrace and Promising Auction
The circa 1895 four-bedroom, three-bathroom terrace, which comes complete with parking, boasts a 5.5-meter frontage and sits on a 133-square-meter block. The property has been meticulously restored to its former glory and is generating considerable interest in the lead-up to its auction.
Charles Touma, principal of Ray White Touma Group, has placed a $3.5 million price guide on the terrace and has been delighted with the response thus far as the first open house became the “busiest open across inner Sydney” to kick off 2024.
Mr Touma also notes that the property market in his area is showing signs of growth, with a solid level of interest in open homes and an increase in listings. Furthermore, he believes that buyers have adapted to the stable interest rate environment, offering optimism for the real estate market.
As the auction date approaches, all eyes will undoubtedly be on this historically significant Surry Hills terrace, with its captivating past and a promising future in the hands of its new custodians.
Published 7-Feb-2024