A home previously owned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ex-wife Carmel Tebbutt has hit the market in Sydney’s Inner West.
Purchasing the property 20 years ago, vendors Narelle Macdonald and Aileen Leddy never expected the previous owner would become the Prime Minister.
Ms Macdonald and Ms Leddy bought 40 Chelmsford St in 2006 from Mr Albanese and his ex-wife, who they said sent Christmas cards back and forth for years.
“When we bought the property, Albo came over to talk to us and tell us which night (of the week) bin night was, and a bit about the local community,” Ms Macdonald said.
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40 Chelmsford St, Newtown
The home was owned by Albanese prior to becoming prime minister. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
“He told us about the local ice cream factory called Dairy Bell.
“He told us not to spend money on the big cone, just get the baby cone because it’s huge.
“And he was right! The baby cone had three scoops in it.”
Records indicate the Prime Minister and then partner Tebbutt purchased the Newtown property in 2000 and owned it for six years. They sold it in 2006 after purchasing a larger property in Marrickville.
The three-bedroom home is now on the market again listed via Ray White Surry Hills agents Moira Verheijen and Shaun Stoker, as Ms Macdonald and Ms Leddy make a sea-change.
Pointing to the community, neighbours and restaurants in the suburb, Ms Macdonald said they have had a fabulous 20 years there.
“If you can’t find a restaurant you like on Kings St then you mustn’t be hungry,” she said.
“Just up the road is Campos Coffee which is the best coffee in the world
“The LGBTQIA+ community can feel very comfortable here, and it’s a dog walking paradise.”
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Inside the Newtown home
The kitchen.
Ms Macdonald said the home itself is a leafy oasis.
“It’s very light and airy and has a real sense of character,” she said.
“The house itself is over 100 years old but it has been modernised.
“We had a gazebo built upstairs so we could look out over the back garden which was lovely.
“Albo also used to have a separate office space out the back which we maintained.”
According to Ms Verheijen, the home is sure to attract a lot of interest, located in the ideal lifestyle pocket between King St and Camperdown Park.
The backyard.
Anthony Albanese was seen bidding on a nearby home in Marrickville in 2006, the same year he sold the Newtown home. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu
“It’s perfectly placed to enjoy the area’s vibrant cafe and dining scene, parklands, sports facilities and renowned organic eateries,” she said.
“It also sits within the Newtown Performing Arts High School catchment.”
According to Ms Verheijen, the home is a rare inner-city sanctuary.
“The immaculately presented residence is designed for relaxed entertaining with seamless flow between the interiors and alfresco spaces, opening to a sunny northeast facing courtyard garden.
“A dramatic skylit entry with soaring six metre ceilings creates a striking first impression while generous proportions and clean contemporary finishes bring a sense of calm and functionality throughout.”
It is not known what Albanese sold the home for in 2006, but records indicate it was listed at the time for $755,000.
The Prime Minister’s most recent property purchase was a house in Central Coast suburb Copacabana, which he purchased in 2024 for $4.3m. It is currently used as a rental but Albanese has indicated plans to move into the home at a future date.
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