13 Hobbs Avenue: Huge Dalkeith block hits market after long construction and demolition history

A huge block once owned by a 1980s millionaire on a prime Dalkeith strip has hit the market again after a long history of ill-fated renovations and demolition. The property at 13 Hobbs Avenue was listed on Monday and is currently under a subdivision process. The combined lots are more than 2000sqm, with the slightly larger lot for sale and the smaller lot currently under offer. The block was purchased in the 1990s by entrepreneur Brian Coppin and his wife Eileen. Mr Coppin — who died in 2015 after a long battle with cancer — spearheaded tourism in the Kimberley region and founded the insurer Western Underwriters. He was a co-owner of several media outlets, including Community Newspapers, and was at one time embroiled in a case against Alan Bond. Mr Coppin built his dream home on the huge Hobbs Avenue property. The home was sold to Geoffrey and Natasha Knights in 2014, who started major renovation works. Amid escalating costs, the home remained a building site for about five or six years, with earthworks initiated but not progressing. According to Landgate records, the home was sold in June last year to David Bayly for $4.85m. Mr Bayly promptly began about $100,000 worth of demolition works to remove the home and pool. Riverandsea real estate agent Henry Willis said Mr Bayly was unsure when construction of his anticipated home would start, so he put in lawn and reticulation, creating a “mini-park” on the avenue. Mr Willis said the current owner had found his dream home and decided to subdivide and sell instead of building on the entire property. He said the seller was looking for between $3.3m and $3.4m for the larger lot and slightly less for the other. “It’s a nice level block and we have had quite a lot of interest from luxury builders,” Mr Willis said. “Hobbs Avenue is one of the premium off-river streets in Dalkeith and (the larger lot) is quite rare as it has a right of way down the side and across the back.”