Bob McTavish – inventor of the vee bottom surfboard and a key figure in the 1960s’ shortboard revolution – is one of Australia’s most legendary surfboard shapers and designers. The cheerful 78-year-old is now selling his Byron Bay house.
The Suffolk Park residence is likely to sell for a pretty penny, with the upcoming April 30th auction hoping to attract bids around $3.5 million, realestate.com.au reports.
McGrath agent Heidi Last is in charge of the 2/40 Corkwood Crescent, Suffolk Park, NSW 2481 listing.
The listing talks up the place’s mid-century modernism vibes, and calls the home, which is an elevated 1,058m2 property with ocean views, “glamorous & captivating.” It was designed by architect Allan Mitchell.
The house is in an enviable position, with just a short walk to Suffolk Park shops and cafes. Features include a north/east facing aspect, massive windows you can see the forest through, and a view of the Cape Byron Lighthouse. There’s also a lounge/dining area with designer decor, outdoor retreats for entertaining, a Palm Springs inspired pool, a custom, luxurious kitchen and a butler’s pantry.
The residence has three opulent bedrooms, lavishly appointed bathrooms and a master suite with an ensuite. Guests’ quarters are studio style with separate access to the house and air conditioning throughout.
There is room on the property for a boat or van, and it has low maintenance grounds with “pretty hidden garden settings.” Overall it is described as a place with “rural ambience” yet is still close to local shops, Tallow Beach and Byron Bay.
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McTavish was born in 1944. He is the son of an accountant and first began surfing on a 16-foot plywood paddleboard, aged 12, not long after moving with his family to Brisbane.
According to the Encyclopedia Of Surfing, McTavish dropped out of school at 15 and – two years later – moved to Sydney and began shaping boards, eventually working for a number of notable shapers, before becoming one in his own right.
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After living and shaping in Sydney for about seven years, McTavish moved back up North – this time to the Far North Coast, when he was around 25.
According to realestate.com.au, the Suffolk Park median house price is $1.95 million, and the area has seen 15 per cent annual compound growth over the past five years. McTavish appears well-positioned to capitalise on this trend with the upcoming sale of his house.
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