How to build a $20 million home

Playoust-Churcher-Hot-to-build-a-20-million-dollar-home

We are very proud to announce our involvement in a recent ground-breaking sale that has shattered the $20 million house price barrier on Sydney’s Upper North Shore, with the remarkable achievement of Warrawee, which recently sold for approximately $20 million.

With significant local buzz about this exciting sale, we wanted to share some insight into what goes into building a $20 million home.

Playoust Churcher - A 20 million dollar family home

A local slice of heaven

Originally built in 1963, the residence sits on an impressive 1,975 square metres of land, which our clients acquired in 2011 for $2.1 million. The following year, they commissioned us to carry out a significant redesign of the property.

This expanded the initial brief to include the adjacent home, which the client had purchased during the project. We now had a tennis court and cabana added to the brief that we needed to work into the initial concept while subdividing the front portion of the block for another home.

Our objective was to enhance the original structure, taking inspiration from ‘resort-style’ living while maintaining levels of both light and privacy in the various spaces on the property.

Playoust Churcher - 20 million dollar home design process

The design process

We spent a lot of time with the clients throughout the architecture design process, discussing their vision and developing a strong design concept that suited the needs of this growing family and their lifestyle – which would of course change over time.

We chose a stone base to anchor the building, paired with a middle level of brick and render, as well as extensive glazing to keep everything open and flowing. The pavilion area and the interconnecting spaces created a very ‘human scale’ to the large residence, which became one of our favourite aspects of the design.

When working on larger properties, it can be tough to optimise areas that flow and connect well with each other, and the pavilion style allowed us to create a lovely indoor/outdoor flow while taking advantage of all the views. It certainly added to the overall feeling of a great entertainers’ home.

Playoust Churcher - 20 million dollar home challenges

The challenges

With a home renovation project of this size and scope, there will always be challenges that require flexibility and problem-solving.

Our goals included maximising south-facing views over the park and opening up enough to get light into the spaces, which proved particularly challenging. To solve these issues, the design resulted in a pavilion-style design with an added skylight slot-style roof between the old and new parts of the home to really bring the outdoor light in.

Another important consideration was to preserve the views from the first-floor bedrooms that overlooked the pavilion. It was crucial to maintain these picturesque views while also ensuring we kept those beautiful levels of natural light.

Balancing these requirements was a key aspect of the design process to ensure the continuity of the initial vision while accommodating the additions and maintaining optimal light conditions.

A $20 million family home

We are proud to have worked on such an extraordinary property that has achieved this record-breaking sale price in the luxury real estate market.

It was a brief that allowed us to continue redefining the concept of capturing the full potential of a home, to align inspiration and luxury with everyday functionality.

And while it wasn’t without challenges, it’s a project with a stunning end result.

Is it time to bring your dream home to life?

We specialise in creating exceptional residential designs on the North Shore. With a passion for creating timeless and elegant homes, our team of skilled professionals collaborates closely with our clients to bring their visions to life.

From concept to completion, we deliver exceptional designs that seamlessly blend aesthetics, functionality and sustainability. Contact us today to start exploring the possibilities for your new home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this home a $20 million project?

The Warrawee residence broke the $20 million barrier on Sydney’s Upper North Shore, highlighting Playoust Churcher’s ability to deliver a rare blend of prestige, scale, and design excellence.

What was the design journey for this milestone project?

Originally built in 1963, the home was transformed through a major redesign and expansion, later incorporating the neighbouring property to add a tennis court, cabana, and subdivision opportunities.

Discover the journey

How did they blend scale with intimacy in the design?

A pavilion-style layout with glazed bridges, skylights, and fluid indoor–outdoor connections allowed the vast residence to feel warm, light-filled, and welcoming while retaining grandeur.

Explore design choices

What were the main design challenges and solutions?

The south-facing orientation posed natural light and view challenges. These were resolved using skylights, glazing, and spatial planning that optimised brightness and view lines throughout.

See how challenges were solved

What’s the lasting significance of this project?

The Chilton Parade residence has become a landmark in Warrawee—setting a new benchmark for luxury design that unites functionality, elegance, and market-leading value.

View the project

Key Takeaways

Turning a Modest Purchase into a Masterpiece

Originally built in 1963 and acquired for $2.1 million in 2011, the project evolved to encompass adjacent land—expanding the brief to include luxury features like a tennis court and cabana, all while integrating the old and new seamlessly

Resort-Inspired Living Meets Privacy and Light

The design harnessed a resort-style aesthetic that balances grandeur with livability—prioritising abundant natural light, serene indoor–outdoor flow, and private, yet expansive spaces

Pavilion Layouts to Maximise Views and Flow

A pavilion-style configuration with interconnected structures and skylit transitions was central to the design—creating human-scaled circulation zones that skilfully preserve south-facing views while avoiding common light-blocking issues

Luxury That Respects Lifestyle and Context

The home achieved both design excellence and functional elegance, delivering a show-stopping residence that reflects the everyday lives of its occupants—redefining what a truly livable luxury home can be

Meet the Author

Brett Churcher

Managing Director & Nominated Architect 
NSW Architect Registration No. 5924

With over 30 years of architectural experience, Brett Churcher leads Playoust Churcher Architects with a rare combination of design expertise and commercial insight. As a registered architect and Managing Director, Brett has played a pivotal role in delivering high-end single residential homes and boutique medium-density developments across Sydney’s North Shore and beyond.

Brett’s unique strength lies in his deep understanding of both architectural design and the Sydney property market. His valuation background enables him to align creative vision with practical feasibility, ensuring each project achieves both aesthetic excellence and financial viability.

At Playoust Churcher, Brett drives the studio’s growth, strategy, and leadership, while remaining closely connected to what matters most: the client. His ability to see the bigger picture from a client’s perspective and to guide projects seamlessly through the design process is at the heart of his role and reputation.