Daniel Johns lists vacant block after demolishing iconic Newcastle home

Two months after demolishing the iconic Merewether pad he called home for 25 years, Daniel Johns has divided the land into two, keeping one site for himself and listing the other for sale.

The 967.5 square metre vacant block at 1/8 Charlotte Street is listed for sale by expressions of interest with Robinson Property's Amanda and Kirk Langlands.

The property has already attracted strong pre-market interest from buyers ahead of going live on July 14.

"Even before going to market, we have had several enquiries, indicating that it will be very positively received," Ms Langlands said.

"It's mainly locals who have known about it since we put the coming soon signboard up at the property.

"Once it is opened to the broader market, we expect very strong interest."

It is understood that the former Silverchair frontman plans to build a new "dream home" on the other block.

Johns initially had plans to purchase a property outside of Newcastle, and spent three years scouting locations far and wide, from coastal areas in Tasmania to tranquil towns in southern NSW.

However, the "irreplaceable position" on Charlotte Street kept pulling him back.

The listing describes the vacant block as offering "the chance to secure what even one of Australia's most well-travelled couldn't walk away from".

Positioned in a quiet cul-de-sac, the block has panoramic views stretching from Merewether beach across the Pacific Ocean and toward the Stockton dunes.

The north-facing elevated block captures all-day sun and sea breezes and is ideal for a "cutting-edge architectural build or a timeless family sanctuary".

The property is 1.2 kilometres from Merewether Ocean Baths and Merewether beach.

"We've had enquiries from people wanting to build their dream home," she said.

"People are drawn to the north-facing views and the privacy offered on that street, but I have found that it's a different type of buyer than those who want to live down on the flat in Merewether.

"It offers that elevation, that sense of freedom, sense of space and privacy.

"It is a magnificent position, up high and having that aspect looking over Merewether is what will sell it."

End of an era

In May, Johns demolished the 1970s five-bedroom home, which had served as a "private sanctuary and creative retreat for over two decades.

He purchased the 1942-square-metre property in 2000 for $1.4 million.

The home provided a space to write Silverchair's music post-2001, including the acclaimed Diorama and Young Modern albums.

In a statement released in May, Johns explained his decision to knock down the house was to "unlock the site's full potential" and offer one of the two blocks to market.

"This place has been a huge part of my life and creativity, but it's time for something new that reflects where I'm at now and what's next," Johns said in a statement supplied to the Newcastle Herald.

Charlotte Street's top sales

Only six properties have changed hands along Charlotte Street since 2016.

A four-bedroom, three-bathroom house at 10 Charlotte Street, directly next door to Johns' former home, sold for $3.7 million on July 11 with Salt Property's Lyndall Allan.

The highest price for a residential property on the cul-de-sac street was recorded in October 2021 with the $6.6 million transaction of a five-bedroom, three-bathroom house on 886 square metres at 18 Charlotte Street.

The property included a swimming pool and the same panoramic outlook enjoyed from Johns' property.

In November 2017, a three-bedroom house on 2317 square meters at 28 Charlotte Street sold for $4.275 million.

Other top sales include 29 Charlotte Street ($2.85 million, July 2021) and 20 Charlotte Street ($2.2 million, February 2011).