While many megastars have since returned to the US,Emerald City can reveal that former prime ministerKevin Rudd is the latest notable figure calling Sydney home.
Malcolm Turnbull isnt the only form PM to live in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs. Kevin Rudd is North Bondi’s newest resident.
Mr Rudd,who served as Australia’s 26th prime minister from 2007 to 2010,is temporarily residing in an Airbnb in Sydney’s well-heeled North Bondi after attending the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore last month.
Despite Kevin from Queensland lapping up life as a Bondi local,it seems his residency is short-lived as he’s due to make another international trip in coming days.
The former Labor leader,dubbed Kevin 07 during his political campaign in 2007,lives in Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast with his wife,Therese,but opted to live in Sydney between his respective commitments abroad to avoid Queensland’s strict two-week hotel quarantine for international travellers returning to the sunny state.
Charlie and Ellie Aitken put on a united front on Friday at their son’s sporting event.Instagram
North Bondi locals have revealed that Mr Rudd has embraced the eastern suburbs coastal lifestyle,enjoying his daily swims across Bondi Beach. One resident was overheard warning Rudd of sharks,given the late prime minister Harold Holt disappeared at sea in 1967.
It seems the top end of Bondi is the place to be,with society sweetheartEllie Aitken also bunkering down a stone’s throw from KRudd. The mother-of-two has had her marriage breakdown appear in headlines in recent weeks after a bizarre love triangle involving her husband,Charlie Aitken, and the wife of close friend and former business associateChristopher-John “CJ” Nasser.
Last week,Mr Aitken confirmed his marriage had ended and he was in a relationship with his former business partner’s wife,Hollie Nasser.
“I can confirm I am separated fromEllie Aitken and am in a relationship withHollie Nasser,” he said. “My sole focus is my children and I’ll make no further comment.”
A source close to bothMr Nasser andMs Aitken told Emerald City on Friday that they had been “blindsided” by their former spouses’ relationship.
Before posting a photo alongside her ex-husband on Friday night,Ms Aitken had continued to put on a brave face in public,even attending Wednesday night’s Moet Chandon soirée.
Double Bay’s Intercontinental hotel set for a rockstar makeover
Double Bay is set for a revamp after Melbourne-based developerPaul Fridman acquired the famed Intercontinental Hotel and recruited the hospitality expertise of restaurateur and creativeMaurice Terzini.
If these walls could talk – the stories they would tell. In its glory days,the hotel hostedPrincess Diana, Elton John and was where INXS frontmanMichael Hutchence was found dead inside his hotel room. More recently it was the scene of the crime for a notable societal affair.
Emerald City hears Fridman is set to spruce up the dated venue,and givenTerzini is onboard it’s likely an element of cool will ignite the eastern suburbs hotel.
Renowned restaurateur Maurice Terzini is set to bring a slice of cool to Double Bay’s newly acquired Intercontinental hotel.Louise Kennerley
Meanwhile,across the street,Sydney stylistMars Marsanic has partnered withLuke Carter andRobin Rachel to launch a concierge boutique called Three Over Six,which is sourcing luxury items from around the globe.
Everything from artwork to designer accessories and jewellery will be offered at the boutique,which is set to open in January.
With some products priced over $3 million,guests,especially those of note,won’t have to worry about splashing cash before prying eyes.
“Our clients are private,so we needed to create a private space for them to shop comfortably,”Mrs Marsanictold Emerald City. The store will also offer a private entrance for customers dodging the paparazzi,or worse – their husbands.
Mrs Marsanic says the extremely rare Hermes Kitty bag,Chanel flat bag and rainbow Rolexes are but a few requests coming in from clients.
Sydney on track for a ‘hot vax summer’
Rain,thunderstorms and even COVID-19’s latest Omicron mega strain failed to dampen the start of the party season. From luxury superyachts to a lavish champagne soirée,Amalfi-inspired luncheon and preview of Merivale’s latest food and beverage offering at the SCG,it was a busy week for Emerald City.
On Tuesday evening,the makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury held its annual Holiday event with a night under the stars aboard “Charlotte’s Superyacht”. Transformed into a sexy wonderland,guests were introduced to the Holiday collection and invited into Charlotte’s bespoke Pillow Talk Suite – silk sheets and all.
ModelMadeline Holtznagel,girlfriend of Merivale CEOJustin Hemmes,dared to bare in a revealing black gown that Emerald City was told was YSL and cost a mere $3000!
The night was far from boring,with free-flowing champagne the perfect medicine to draw guests to the dance floor.
Emerald City was told there were more than a few sore heads come Wednesday.
Moet Chandon hosted a lavish black-tie gala at Bennelong Point for 250 guests,including actorSimon Baker,withLance “Buddy” Franklin and wifeJesinta attending the grand celebration after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
Dusty heads and all,it was worth the early morning pamper session at luxury spa SELF by the Parlour Room in Clovelly as beauty brands joined forces to offer the who’s who of beauty and fashion a Naked Sundays X Bangn Body treatment. Founder of Naked Sundays and eastern suburbs localSamantha Brett hosted the event,with socialite and influencerMontarna Pitt among those who attended and were treated to a morning of pampering.
Fresh from a facial,it was off to Australian fashion label Sheike’s chic Amalfi-inspired luncheon. Among models and influencers,Emerald City was well and truly out of place with the constant selfie-taking.
Following an extensive tender process,Merivale was recently named the exclusive hospitality experience partner of the SCG and SFS precinct. Emerald City enjoyed a sneak preview on Thursday night as Justin Hemmes and the Merivale family showcased their food and beverage offerings. Expect fancy hot dogs,Mediterranean wraps,fresh seafood and essentials such as hot chips and pies.
To conclude the hectic week,Jan Logan hosted her annual luncheon to showcase the stunning Dunaway Collection. Hosted by Sydney’s newest hotspot Shell House,guests were treated to a lavish lunch,albeit running an hour behind schedule. Actress and friend of the brandKerry Armstrong drew laughs from guests as she shared memories from her starring role onDynasty and how she insists on dangling Logan’s famed jewels in front of the camera.