A breakout reality TV star and one of the country’s best-known (and arguably most divisive) real estate agents – we chat to Rubinstein ahead of his second outing on Luxe Listings Sydney.
4 min
Gavin Rubinstein has built a reputation as one of the busiest men in Australian real estate – a man with an insatiable appetite for success.
From selling the country’s finest luxury residences via his agency, The Rubinstein Group, to starring in Amazon Prime’s surprise TV hit Luxe Listings Sydney, Rubinstein has developed a broad following and confident reputation.
Still, the recently installed H&R Block Property Ambassador works hard for his dollars and is acutely focused on his career – happily wolfing down lunch in his car to make various client meetings.
We caught up with the 34-year-old ahead of today’s second season launch – to talk swagger, suits, selling and more.
What’s a day in the life of Gavin Rubinstein like?
It’s very structured — I’m a man of routine. Alarm goes at 5am every day of the week, I’m in the gym by 6am and then some time to myself before the whirlwind of work really kicks in.
Between the hours of 6am-10pm my phone is consistently buzzing whilst I jet between meetings and some of the most luxurious properties in Sydney.
I suit up too, no matter the occasion, because I truly believe if you look good, you feel good, you do good. However, the supposed glamour of real estate isn’t all that, you’ll find me eating lunch at my desk or in the car when I can find a spare minute.
What makes a good agent?
Persistence and work ethic is key — very few people realise how demanding this industry can be before they get their foot in the door. You have to be willing to throw away a lot of leisure time to be one of the industry’s best.
Secondly, always, always deliver on your promises and do what you say you will – because building genuine client relationships is only going to project you forward.
Lastly, a solid level of service and communication is key. Go above and beyond to provide that wow factor because buying and investing in property is no small feat.
You operate predominantly in Sydney’s east, what makes it such a coveted – and expensive – area?
The harbourside lifestyle is definitely appealing, so too is its convenience – you’re never more than a 5-10 minute drive to some of Australia’s best beaches. Similarly, it’s a relatively short commute to the CBD for work commitments whether travelling by car, bus, train or ferry. Above all, I think it’s the stunning views – you can’t get much more iconic than the Sydney Harbour Bridge or Opera House.
Why do you believe Luxe Listings holds such a strong allure for viewers?
For Sydney viewers it is obviously located in their backyard, so people are intrigued and excited by the stardom of locations that are known to them. The way in which they showcase our city is on another level, the types of property on display are very aspirational and that has a lasting effect. Call me biased, but I think the cast of the show definitely complement each other in wicked ways, providing some good entertainment and drama. From a production point of view, the cinematography is epic, really putting on a show of property and views.
Where do you think the ANZ prestige market is heading in the next 12 months?
Given the continued demand for prestige homes and minimal buying opportunities, I believe we’re only going to see this sector grow from strength to strength. We’re seeing a huge ‘return-to-home’ phenomenon from expats, many of whom are returning with large amounts of wealth which they have accumulated over many years working in places like London, Hong Kong, New York and Singapore. This is only fuelling the demand for hot property nationwide.
What advice would you give to people looking to buy in Sydney?
As always, for anyone looking to enter the market irrespective of your experience with property, I highly recommend you seek advice from a tax professional in the know. As Australia’s leading property taxation experts, H&R Block are on top of every single tax concession related to home ownership and property investment.
Obviously, you’re something of a divisive character, what would you say to someone who wants professional success but also wants to please everyone?
Be true to yourself, remain authentic, and never put on a show. Intelligent people see straight through any fake facade and that will only inhibit your opportunities in the industry. In regard to a ‘people pleasing’ mentality — you also have to learn to value your time and know when certain activities might not be a productive use of your precious working hours.
Of your ‘competition’ on the show and in market – namely agents D’leanne Lewis and Monika Tu — how do they influence your work? Do you think you’d be as driven without their presence?
Competition is a good thing and I love to compete. I’ve always possessed this natural drive and tend to run my own race no matter the task at hand, but every agent has, or will, build their own style and value proposition. I know what I bring to the table and it’s not going to be for everyone — I’m cool with that. Some people will connect better with my competitors and that’s always going to be the case.
What’s next for Gavin Rubinstein?
Plenty! We’re in the midst of opening a new office in Rose Bay, very much expanding the TRG team and family. In addition, I’ve partnered with H&R Block to help educate and upskill property investors and prospective owners about the changing deductions and tax implications… I’m a stickler for progression; next year has to be better than last and today better than yesterday. Stay tuned people.
Luxe Listings Sydney season two streams on Amazon Prime from April 1; therubinsteingroup.com
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The actress, who felt a ‘spiritual calling’ to the Harrison, N.Y., property, is asking $4.99 million for the home.
3 min
Two years ago, fed up with the long drive to the Hamptons, the actress and daytime talk-show host Drew Barrymore started looking for a weekend home in Westchester County.
When she saw a circa-1700s mansion for sale, Barrymore said, she felt a karmic connection to the Harrison, N.Y., property.
“I walked in, and I was, like, ‘I know my family’s been here. I know that I have to work on this house. I know that I’m supposed to be doing this,’” said Barrymore, 51 years old, who lives primarily in Manhattan with her two daughters. “It was like a strange, spiritual calling.”
It turned out she actually did have a connection to the area: Her great-aunt, the late actress Ethel Barrymore, had a home in nearby Mamaroneck, where an enclave known as Barrymore Lane is widely believed to be named for the family.
Barrymore bought the roughly 12-acre estate for $4.4 million, according to property records. She did an extensive renovation; she has a deep interest in interior design and has considered pursuing it professionally. “Between Pinterest, thrifting and a can of paint, there’s nothing you can’t do,” Barrymore said with a laugh.
But roughly two years later, the actress is listing the property for $4.99 million. The renovation took longer than expected, she said, and the family’s lives have changed in the interim.
The estate includes a roughly 5,600-square-foot, five-bedroom main house, a pool and a poolhouse with an additional bedroom, according to Kori Sassower of Compass.
Barrymore said she previously owned a home in Sagaponack, N.Y., but the distance from the city and the weekend traffic to the Hamptons became untenable as her children’s schedules filled up with social and sporting activities.
Harrison, by contrast, offered accessibility and charm. The property, located roughly an hour from Manhattan, is a short drive from picturesque Rye and Bronxville, while nearby Bedford has drawn celebrities. The median sales price for a home in Harrison is around $1.1 million, according to Redfin.
The property’s expansive acreage gave Barrymore a sense of being close to nature. “It’s really like being in your own personal park,” she said. “There are tons of deer. There are pheasants, there are ducks, there are rabbits.”
When she purchased the home, Barrymore said, she thought it would need only a cosmetic renovation. Instead, it turned into a “complete internal gut,” with much of the plumbing, heating and air conditioning replaced, she said.
Barrymore also revamped the ground floor to open up the kitchen, which felt dark and boxed in. “It took a year of engineering to figure out how to accomplish it,” she said.
Barrymore declined to comment on the exact costs of the renovation, but compared herself to actress Shelley Long’s character in the 1986 film “The Money Pit.”
Some of the rooms have maximalist patterned wallpaper, elaborate art walls and heavy, old-fashioned draperies. Others are minimalist. “Every little corner gets scrutinised for what it could be,” she said. “If I see a closet, it’s probably not a closet, it’s going to become some secret hideout for my kid, or I’m going to take the door off and turn it into a sculptural piece.”
In the home’s living room, Barrymore said she cycled through multiple paint colours, including pink and green.
“I painted it all green because I was dying for greenery. And then the summer came, and I was, like, ‘Oh, God, everything is green!’”
She spent time at the property even while it was under construction. When they didn’t have a kitchen, the family cooked dinner on a grill outside and drank boxed water, she said.
When workers were redoing the pipes, Barrymore couldn’t shower. “I lived in the house in the most primitive of scenarios,” she said. “It’s some of my favourite times and memories.”
When Barrymore celebrated her birthday at the property in February, she and two friends decided to grill for old time’s sake, even though the kitchen was fully functional.
“There we were in zero-degree weather with parkas, hoodies, gloves and face masks. But we were, like, ‘We gotta do it. It’s the tradition.”
Barrymore, who grew up in Los Angeles, stars in films like “Never Been Kissed,” “Riding in Cars With Boys” and “Charlie’s Angels.” Her eponymous daytime talk show launched in September 2020.
Sassower is listing the property with her colleague Brian K. Lewis in New York City.
