Refugee to riches: ‘Why I turned down $22m for my house’

Brisbane developer and philanthropist Emil Juresic has knocked back offers as high as $22 million for a dream home once crowned the nation’s most wanted.

Why? Because ever since he was 16, the founder of NGU Real Estate has had to work hard for his money, having grown up as a refugee in an 80 sqm housing commission home.

So, when it came to building his own home, he was determined money — and space — wasn’t going to be an issue. And, despite initial plans to sell, he’s decided it’s just too valuable.

‘Hacienda’ in Indooroopilly is now complete. Its owner, developer Emil Juresic, has knocked back a $22m offer to buy it. Image: Fast Focus.

Emil Juresic in the home he has just finished building in Indooroopilly. Image: Fast Focus.

“We can’t sell it,” Mr Juresic said. “I personally think there’s nothing like it. I do believe our home is worth $25 million.”

Spanning 1400 sqm over three levels, ‘Hacienda’ overlooks Indooroopilly Golf Course and features five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a six-car garage, a home office, and three entertaining areas.

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Some of the big ticket items include $1m worth of natural stone, a kitchen featuring $200,000 worth of Gaggenau appliances, and $500,000 worth of smart automation technology.

Among the features in ‘Hacienda’ are $1m worth of natural stone, a kitchen featuring $200,000 worth of Gaggenau appliances, and $500,000 worth of smart automation technology.. Image: Fast Focus.

There’s a day spa featuring a commercial gym with $80,000 worth of equipment, a $270,000 cryotherapy machine, a $50,000 custom-built ice bath, a steam room, a sauna, and even a cinema.

On the rooftop is an entertaining area boasting a $30,000 commercial barbecue, a teppanyaki grill, wine fridges, a bar, a lounge, a pizza oven, and a $120,000 rotisserie.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in Australia,” he said.

The house also boasts an 18m heated pool, a firepit for 12 people, four fireplaces, 11 fridges, and a glass-encased lift. Image: Fast Focus

The 250sqm master retreat features a living room, en suite and walk-in wardrobe showcasing 20 slabs of marble.

To top it all off, there’s also a firepit for 12 people, an 18m heated pool, a 1,000-bottle humidified wine cellar, four fireplaces, 11 fridges, a glass-encased lift, and 40 security cameras, as well as a hidden panic room.

All the furniture in the house was custom-made and the finishes and fixtures selected by Studio Collective.

The home spans more than 1400 sqm of living space. Image: Fast Focus.

The house comes with a 1000-bottle humidified wine cellar. Image: Fast Focus.

“We have built a f*&king resort!” Mr Juresic said.

“When I came to Australia with my family as a refugee, all I ever did — and do — is work. I work seven days a week.

“Business, money in the bank, shares — all that you can’t feel. We wanted to built a resort, so all the hard work, we can feel it, we can see it.”

Mr Juresic has also employed Masterchef Australia contestant, Christina Laker, as their full-time, private chef.

Former MasterChef contestant Christina Laker has been employed as Emil Juresic’s private chef. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

“It’s all about living healthy and well for us now,” he said.

The property was named the most-wanted in Australia when Mr Juresic initially decided to list it for sale while it was still under construction in June last year.

It notched up more views than any other listing on realestate.com.au at the time.

The sale price record for a home in Brisbane was recently broken with the sale of Sutherland Ave, Ascot, for $23 million, and Mr Juresic believes it’s only a matter of time before the $30m ceiling is reached.

“If Melbourne can get $60m, $70m, $80m for a home, why can’t Brisbane have a $30m home?” he said.

“I know Brisbane has at least 10 homes worth more than $40m, but (the owners will) never sell.”

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