$16m Sydney pad for Branson

[Wirraway]

Thurs "The Daily Telegraph"

$16m for sky-high pad
August 19, 2004

FOR a cool $16 million, you don't even have to wipe your own bottom.

That'd be taken care of by the electronic loos, near the revolving dining room, the maid's quarters and whirlpool bath with cascading waterfall.

These are among the luxuries Virgin boss Richard Branson looks set to enjoy in the Sydney skyhouse he has reportedly paid a record $16 million for.

The word is Branson has bought apartment 4301, the best of two Harry Seidler-designed penthouses at The Cove in Harrington St, The Rocks, according to Property Confidential's Julie Huffer.

While the palace absolutely screams Branson, Colliers International agent Peter Keras said: "I can confirm he's very interested in it, but whether the deal's been done yet, I can't say."

He says the top level skyhouse is "magnificent" and well worth its staggering price, rivalling that of Russell Crowe's $10 million Woolloomolloo shack as owner Kovelan Bangaru has gone all over the world sourcing the fittings.

"I can use my iPaq [handheld computer] to get the bath running and it will never overflow," he said.

Mr Bangaru said he had an offer of $16 million from someone of "the same stature as Richard Branson" but he would not confirm the British billionaire was his buyer.

The 682sq m home comes with a separate 68sq m apartment to be used as servant quarters.

The package is fit for a king, but the biggest novelty lies in five Japanese-designed toilets, costing $14,000 each.

"They open and close electronically, they are heated and wash and dry your bottom," Mr Keras said.

"The dining room revolves and takes in 360 degree views from the Heads to Darling Harbour."

The pad boasts 1000m of hand-plucked marble, a 16-seat cinema and roof-top pool. Doors open and close using retina scans.

And with $700,000 worth of cabling, Branson will have no trouble communicating with the outside world.

The Daily Telegraph

===========================================

[schweinhund]

Hope you are proud, VB drivers. There's your pay and conditions gone into making sure that Dicky has a clean backside.

I'm sure you guys are proud.

And what about the mum and dad investors that this bastard simply ripped blind. With shares that the arse has dropped out of whilst this liar takes their money out of Australia. For an airline that will probably be broke within a few years.

Never liked Hinch, but his line of "SHAME, Branson, SHAME" seems to fit nicely.

[Buster Hyman]

"Hmmm, where shall I spend this Summer? Bribie Island or the Rocks?"

Well, however he got his money, he's at least enjoying it! I bet there's a tax perk in there as well!;)

[Chimbu chuckles]

SW I think you will find Branson was a billionaire before VB existed and therefore could have afforded 10 such apartments whether VB existed or not.

I don't necesarily dissagree about cynical share floats...but then I don't like/trust the share market in general.

Attacking VB pilots over what RB decides to spend his money on is rediculous.

Chuck.

[MoFo]

Nobody made the mum and dad shareholders buy the shares. They did so of their own free will. It shows you don't buy investments on warm and fuzzy feelings. You research the investment and make it on facts.

Branson is way too smart for the mum and dads.

[Sperm Bank]

swinefund. This forum is internationally recognised as the world's worst because parasites like you come in here and turn every thread into a vitriolic slang fest. Please grow a brain and if or when you are capable, contribute something of value. Your jealous drivel is a disgrace and underlines your vacuous and immature thought process (or lack thereof). 90% of the good contributors consistently have the other 10% of no brainer, unemployable degenerates spoiling nearly every thread.

KEG said on another thread "we live in interesting times". Mate, I appreciate your sentiment, however I am of the opinion some of the contributors in hear live in very SAD times. What justification do these neanderthals have for such contemptable behaviour?

[schweinhund]

Gee, you are here aren't you spermy? With a handle like that, too! Eat your words, maaaatttte.

Truth hurt a bit? You blokes get paid sh1t, and stark raving halfwits like Branson get richer. Even Godfreak, he gets richer on whining and crying like a little girl. Its disgusting.

And then you come along and tell me that I'm somehow wrong? Gawd, you are the sad one my friend. Remove your head from your anus.

[Buster Hyman]

Perhaps we can now start guessing the new username of Schweinhund after his current one gets banned?:confused:

Look, I don't think much of Branson, but he's self made. Sure, at the expense of others...which means he's exactly the same as just about every other self made millionaire in the past 40 years!

[commander adama]

schweinhund

Funnily enough you jst don't realise how stupid u sound and therefore are. Well posted Sperm. schweinhund disappear please

[Cactus Jack]

Adama. I cant say that I agree with schwein or sperm, but YOUR posts are just as ridiculous, and always have been. Your tantrums and childish comments are pretty much worthless and dont contribute to anything much. How about you dissappear yourself?

[AIRWAY]

Didn't he bought an island or something in Australia for his staff awhile back :confused:

[schweinhund]

Well, looks like you have been told adama. Grow up you little turd.

[126.7]

Got say folks I admire the man. At least he did not run off like Skase and the likes. My Grandma told me, never trust a German, Schweinhund grow up you jeolous little boy.

[schweinhund]

You should get used to that frequency, 126.7. More bad spelling like that and you can guarantee that CTAF is the only frequency that you will be using.

Guten Abend!

[air-hag]

vacuous and immature from a name like Sperm Bank???

Anyway does Branson even own VB anymore??

If he does he'd be turning in his spa tub at the thought of jurassic-era ex-flapper slappers elbowing their way into his airline.

I wish I was rich. Wait a minute....... thanks to good timing and 3 IPOs for worthless dot-com companies that no longer exist, I AM!!

I think it's funny all you knob-ends arguing about who's the biggest loser.

People who say things like "funnily" need a reaming. It is not a word regardless of how many times you use it. Standard level of pilots' education at work there hey?

Good on Branson for earning big cash and enjoying it instead of making bigger and bigger piles of it to hoard like Packer.

[Buster Hyman]

For the record, he was quoted in the paper denying he'd bought it...in the paper...must be true then!:rolleyes:

[ACMS]

schweinhund: I work for Cathay, DT received millions in compensation last year, are you going to ask if I'm proud too?

GD of Qantas just had his contract renewed for another bunch of years, getting up to $10 million for his efforts, are you going to ask QF Pilots if they're proud too?

buzz of moron.

[Denzil]

Is Branson just hated because he's not Australian and dared to invest money in Australia???

Slagging off the pilots for working at VB (they do have a choice) and Branson as being stupid (who's the billionaire and WHO's stupid??) is pathetic.

[schweinhund]

ACMS, do DT and GD openly flout their money in an extravagant and arrogant manner? Do they make fools of themselves on global TV acting like juveniles with their money? I think not. So your answer is no.

Denzil, you may think that Branson has invested in Australia, but if I might suggest that he has actually extracted money from this country. You really think that he hasn't made more than he started with? You really think that Australian workers are better off under this farkwit than with Ansett? I think not.

There is very good reason to be cynical about Branson and his playboy style. But make no mistake - he is here to take your money - not make your life better.

[propaganda]

" Sir Richard Branson"lets get his name right and show some respect.
;)

[HGW]

Geez Schweinhund, get a life. You comments mean nothing because it is so obvious you hate VB and all who have anything to do with it.

What have they done to you to deserve your ire. I would love to know.

Oh, by the way. QF is 48% owned by foreign investors. Also, the famous Ansett was 100% foreign owned.

Selective comments I think. What a tosser!!!!

[amos2]

Well, funnily enough Hag, it's back to school for you 'cause you see, it is a word!

Sorry shagger, you failed the test! :(

[air-hag]

Well maybe it only exists in the Wonderful Happy World of Piccaninny....

Which reference did you use, the MacQuarie Dickshunaree??? The only dictionary in the world to recognise "D'oh" of Homer Simpson fame.

A quick check here (http://www.yourdictionary.com/) doesn't bring the word up.

Still, I'm happy to be corrected, even by union thugs!! ;) :ok:

:zzz:

[schweinhund]

Negative, HGW. I don't hate VB at all. I just don't particularly like your boss. And I'm not alone. Have a nice day, buddy.:hmm: