The Times Australia
The Times Real Estate

.

Zagga partners with Jamie Durie for Avalon Beach home


Leading boutique private credit investment manager, Zagga, has partnered  with award-winning, celebrity landscape designer, Jamie Durie, on his latest project, a luxury  home set to be one of Australia’s most sustainable builds.  

The waterfront home is located in Sydney’s highly sought after Avalon Beach and is the feature  of Channel 7’s new series, Growing Home with Jamie Durie. Based on comparable sales in the  area, local experts estimate an on-completion value in excess of $40 million. The project is due  to be completed by end of month.  

Zagga is the senior lender on the project and expects to deliver investors returns comparable to  its other investments, which average 9.80% per annum as at end October. 

Commenting on the construction financing, Tom Cranfield, Director, Investment & Risk, at  Zagga said the project reinforces the growing importance of private credit to deliver agility,  commerciality, and flexibility in funding Australia’s future homes. 

“This project is unlike any other in the market. We are thrilled to work with Jamie Durie, who is  internationally renowned for his design acumen, to bring this sustainable-first design concept to  life,” Mr Cranfield said.  



“Jamie has designed the property as his dream home. It oYers ultra-luxury comforts, ample  green space, and state-of-the-art sustainability features, which highlight the possibilities of  sustainable design in everyday living.  

“As a non-bank-lender, we could deliver agility and flexibility in funding and consider risks and  returns based on the build’s unique attributes and characteristics. Working hand-in-glove with  Jamie’s team ensured the best outcome for Jamie, as our borrower, alongside market-leading  returns for our investors,” Mr Cranfield said.  

The trophy-home comprises of five bedrooms, five bathrooms, multiple living rooms, a butler’s  pantry, a full floor gym and wellness room with a sauna and steam room, infinity pool, a self contained nanny’s quarters with its own external access, and a self-contained boat shed. The  property also benefits from its own deep-water birth, as well as a pontoon and private beach. 

Commenting on working with Zagga to bring his dream home to life, Jamie Durie said Zagga’s  specialist capabilities and dedicated team gave him the confidence to pursue his aspirations of  building a healthier home for his family and the environment.  

“I have a young family, and it was incredibly important to me to build a house without  

compromise,” Mr Durie said. “This means a responsible, ethical build with best-in-class  sustainability features that not only give my family the healthiest lifestyle, but also protect and  preserve Australia’s spectacular natural environment.  

“Working with Zagga has accelerated the project. It’s a mammoth build, going from an asbestos  shack to a state-of-the-art, sustainable home, but the team has been with me for every step of 

the journey, ensuring we get the best outcomes for all parties – on time and on budget.  

“I met with at least nine traditional banks and non-bank lenders on this project and Zagga stood  out because of its specialist capabilities and bespoke structuring of terms. For me, it has  highlighted the importance of partnering with specialists who can really judge the project based  on its individual merits rather than having to tick the boxes,”Mr Durie said.  

Planting the seeds for a greener future 

The Avalon Beach home is one of Australia’s first residential dwellings certified by independent  sustainability ratings agency, Green Building Council of Australia.  

The sustainable build saved 178 tonnes of CO2, which is the equivalent of taking 39 cars oY the  road or planting 7000 trees.  

A first-of-its-kind feature in Australia is the home’s geothermal heating and cooling system,  which means the home is self-sustainable and can be run entirely oY grid without fossil-fuel  energy. It also incorporates solar panels, rainwater tanks, and reduced carbon-concrete.  

Sustainability has been central to every design element, with interior features including  

carpeting made from recycled ocean plastics, VOC-free paint that can absorb carbon, and an  80 percent recycled kitchen with zero formaldehyde and carbon-free benchtops.  

“Private and non-bank-lenders will play a crucial role in bringing more sustainable builds to the  market,” Mr Cranfield said. “Strict lending criteria and increasing regulation mean traditional  lenders, like banks, are finding it increasingly challenging to invest in unique, innovative projects  like this one. This is providing private, nonbank lenders, like Zagga, access to A-grade  

opportunities, which historically have been the domain of the Big 4. 

“We expect this trend to continue as demand for sustainable living increases and the nation’s  housing shortage puts more pressure on developers and the construction pipeline.  

Commerciality, flexibility, and the ability to work closely with borrowers will be our point-of diYerence and competitive advantage,” Mr Cranfield said.  

Greenspace was an important element to the build. This included Jamie’s unique design vision  of a “growing home”. This includes an 85-tonne rooftop garden, extensive vertical gardens, and  over 3000 native plant species. Jamie has also brought the outdoors in with more than 180  indoor plants.  

“This home is the embodiment of years of research,” Mr Durie said. “It has allowed me to  showcase my creativity and passion for landscape design, while also working with global  leaders in sustainability and green technology to bring next-generation, sustainable living to  Australia’s shores. I am humbled to be showing others what’s possible in sustainable residential  design, while knowing I am building a brighter, healthier future for my family.”  

You can see the home come to life on Channel 7’s Growing Home with Jamie Durie.  

Property Times

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...