How much would you pay for a six-bedroom? Not more than Lachlan Murdoch, the son of Rupert who outbid Hollywood royalty to agree Australia’s most expensive home sale in 2009. Le Manoir
The 38-year-old former News Corp heir-apparent and his wife recently paid A$23 million (€14 million; $21 million) for “Le Manoir”, the former French consulate in the Bellevue Hill section of Sydney. It has commanding views of the harbour and the Pacific Ocean. 
The auction for Le Manoir reportedly lasted less than 10 minutes. Murdoch outbid actor Russell Crowe for the property, which was purchased by the French government in 1956. Ten bidders, all Australian, participated in the auction.
The strong Australian dollar is believed to have kept non-Aussies away. The Australian market for high-end homes has barely been dented by the global recession. Last year a home near Sydney’s Point Piper sold for A$32.4 million.
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