Ferdi Dominelli sells $8m city pad

A luxury apartment in The Rocks owned by Ferdi Dominelli, king of car sales, has sold for close to $8m.

The buyer “fell in love with the view of the Bridge and Opera House”, says Highland Double Bay’s Daniel Baran, who pulled together the deal, $7.8m, in an expressions of interest campaign that brought a range of offers.

Ferdi, the founder of Dominelli Ford which has been in business for 55 years, and his wife, Josephine, have lived in the three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with double parking in the prestigious Quay West block at 2802/96-118 Gloucester St since their 2003 purchase for $2.2m, according to records.

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Ferdi Dominelli and his famous ads of the 1970s and 80s.

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The stunning apartment sold for $7.8m.

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The couple did an extensive reno soon after their purchase and have loved living there, but recently decided to downsize to move closer to the Yowie Bay home of Adam Dominelli, who, in 2000 took over the family business that Ferdi created in Hurstville in 1969.

Adam, from the age of 6, had appeared in the TV commercials of the 1970s and ‘80s with the famous jingle: “Head out to Hurstville to Dominelli Ford, to buy a Ford from Ferdie, get a Ford you can afford.”

They later moved the business to Kirawee.

The sale of the Quay West 167sqm apartment was orchestrated by Highland Double Bay’s Daniel Baran who had an $8.1m guide in an expressions of interest campaign.

He had “quite a few people” through, with several making offers, with an undisclosed family making the highest offer with the best terms.

The couple bought it for $2.2m in 2002 and did an extensive reno.

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Josephine and Ferdi Dominelli attend the 2018 Diamond Ball. Picture: Luke Drew

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“This buyer didn’t just buy an apartment; he invested in a lifetime of uninterrupted views of one of the world’s most iconic and photographed landmarks,” says Mr Baran.

“The views of Sydney Harbour are, in my opinion, some of the best in the country.

“The main bedroom looks directly at the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is right there, it takes centre stage.”

The apartment, on the 28th floor, offers two bedrooms, plus an optional third bedroom or study.

Light-filled living and dining zones extend to a balcony offering the brilliant view, from sunrise to sunset.

Quay West comes with a 24-hour concierge, heated pool, spa, sauna and gym.

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