When Tiranna House in Elizabeth Bay last changed hands in 1988, the stately Victorian residence sold for more than seven times the Sydney median house price at the time.
Retired financial adviser John Pooley, and his wife Prudence Harper, paid $1.1m for the grand Billyard Ave mansion 38 years ago at a time when the typical Sydney house was commanding about $150,000.
Tiranna House at 17 Billyard Ave, Elizabeth Bay has a guide of $30m ahead of a September 15 auction.
The enviable suburb of Elizabeth Bay, however, was already accustomed to million dollar listings after nearby trophy home Boomerang had sold for $1.28m a decade earlier.
Fast-forward to 2024 and Boomerang came back around and fetched $80m.
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The five-level residence has only had five owners in almost 150 years.
It was renovated to boutique hotel standard in 2020, though it’s currently a private home.
Now the Pooley-Harpers have brought their meticulously renovated family home to market for the first time in 38 years with $30m price guide through Pillinger Estate Agents’ Simon Exleton.
Tiranna had made a brief appearance on the scene via a “quiet” listing with another agent last year asking $40m.
“This stately manor is a rare find indeed — extremely private with eastern views overlooking the marina and harbour from each level,” says Exleton.
“The closest comparable is Jenner House, which sold just recently for a similar amount.”
In December 2025, an unrenovated Jenner House with DA-approved plans for a prestige residence sold for $28m according to records.
The 10-bedroom, 10-bathroom Tiranna at 17 Billyard Ave is set to go under the hammer on September 15.
It has expansive harbour views.
There are a total of 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms.
“For the Pooley family, it marks the end of an extraordinary 40-year chapter. For its next custodian, it offers the opportunity to become just the sixth owner of one of Elizabeth Bay’s most distinguished residences,” Exleton added.
Billyard Ave has long ranked among Sydney’s dress circle addresses and is peppered with other prestige period homes, including Boomerang. Built in approximately 1880, Tiranna sits on an elevated 607sq m parcel with around 1000sq m of internal living space and expansive harbour views.
The five-level residence, which has only had five owners in almost 150 years, was originally a private home, then was converted into three whole-floor apartments, and later a high-end guest house between the 1940s and 1980s.
The current owners had restored the property back into a private family home, but more recently in 2020 renovated it with potential to return it to boutique hotel usage.
The owners purchased the property for $1.1m 38 years ago.
The property retains its charm.
Zoned R1 general residential, Exleton said the property presents future owners with flexibility for alternative residential or hospitality uses including the potential for a boutique hotel, with an up-to-date liquor licence still attached to the property.
There are high 3m ceilings, harbour views from most rooms, as well as multiple entertaining spaces inside and out.
Accommodation includes eight bedrooms, each with their own ensuites, along with two kitchens and a self-contained apartment for extended family, guests or staff.
Additionally, the property has a lift servicing all five levels and three lock up garages with internal access and extensive under-house storage space.
Tiranna is within easy walking distance of Potts Point cafés and restaurants, as well as harbour walks, Arthur McElhone Reserve and Elizabeth Bay Marina.
DETAILS:
Address: Tiranna 17 Billyard Ave, Elizabeth Bay
Bed: 10
Bath: 10
Car: 3
Auction: September 15
Inspect: By appointment
Price guide: $30m
Agent: Pillinger Estate Agents
Contact: Simon Exleton on 0414 549 966
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