Ex-Sydneysiders Ralph Hogan and his wife Janet are working their way around the world, weaving a little magic into all the places they call home.

Describing themselves as creators of transformational spaces, with a deep connection to the earth, this power couple are putting their unique and creative stamp on prime real estate in Australia, Bali and beyond.

Mr and Mrs Hogan left a successful corporate life in Sydney 17 years ago, chasing the ultimate place to call home and for a while, that place was Queensland’s Airlie Beach, where they developed the stunning Villa Botanica from scratch.

Villa Botanica is a tropical oasis nestled on 5 acres of waterfront gardens, lush green lawns and 180 degree ocean views. Developed by the Hogans into a spectacular wedding venue, the Balinese-style paradise recently sold for AUD $7.08 Million.

While building Villa Botanica from the ground up, Mr and Mrs Hogan discovered Bali and clocked up many frequent flyer miles as Ralph sought Balinese inspiration for his project – the ultimate in his creative expression.

Drawn by the opportunity for their daughter, Clover, to attend the world renowned Green School, Mr and Mrs Hogan moved to Bali with a grand plan to grow their wedding business beyond Villa Botanica and the shores of Airlie Beach. But, a suitable property had not presented itself – until a fateful encounter led them to Saratoga.

Situated just 18 minutes from cool and contemporary Canggu sits Saratoga – a stunning 3000 sq m estate, nestled within lush green jungle and  its centrepiece a raging river running directly through the middle, with a 12 metre bridge connecting the property.

Owner Janet Hogan recalls the day she and her husband Ralph first experienced Saratoga.

‘As soon as we stepped in, we were smitten. It was very run down, like walking onto the set of Raiders of the Lost Ark, but there was something about the property that simply captured our hearts,’ Mrs Hogan said.

And, so, began the transformation. For the next three and a half years, Mr and Mrs Hogan renovated and refurbished Saratoga, drawing on their extensive Australian building experience to bring the Balinese masterpiece up to Western standards, including commercial infrastructure and fitout, sewerage and plumbing.

‘Renovating Saratoga was harder than building Villa Botanica from scratch and even harder in a country like Bali where are there are no national building standards. Ralph, however, is a perfectionist and he insisted on quality workmanship – he once had the tiling redone 5 times until it was perfect!” Mrs Hogan recalls.

The results of the extensive renovation have been spectacular, with leading architects and landscape designers  describing Saratoga as a sanctuary for the senses.

‘Visually beautiful, with majestic teak and bronze entry doors, steel art deco railings, carved columns and Juliette balconies and exquisite interiors, including mirror panelled walls, chandeliers and 200 year old recycled polished ironwood floors’

With the sound of the rushing river, the birds and rainforest creatures, the smell of incense mixed with lush jungle and fresh frangipanis and the sense of freedom that draws you in – Saratoga is a place of purpose and has a magnetism like no other.

For the Hogans, though, all good things must come to an end, or, in their case, all creative minds must have new projects.

‘Saratoga was renovated as a luxury wedding venue and while we did have some weddings here, the nature of creative people means the landscape is ever-changing. Ralph is ready for his next adventure and we are looking to spend 6 months of the year in the South of France; we are seeking our next transformational space,’ Mrs Hogan said.

Saratoga is now on the market, with Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty Senior Sales Executive, Carol Carter, acknowledging the huge tourism potential of the palatial property and its ideal design as a wedding venue, boutique hotel, wellness retreat or indeed, a private residence.

‘Saratoga is visually stunning and unique in its location, in that it feels hidden, isolated and sanctuary-like, but is in fact, only 18 minutes from Bali’s new epicentre, Canggu. It’s perfectly situated along Bali’s growth corridor in a prime tourism spot between Canggu and Tanah Lot,’ Ms. Carter said.

‘In addition to the sprawling Saratoga property, there is 1,500sqm of vacant land and zoning in place for 25 rooms on site. The neighbouring property also offers additional adjoining freehold land, with zoning for 25 more rooms, promising abundant development opportunities for the savvy investor,” she said.

‘Saratoga ticks all the boxes to be a lucrative income-producing property – the ultimate location along the burgeoning tourism belt, commercial infrastructure in place to Australian standards and untold potential for further development,” she said.

Despite the huge commercial potential of Saratoga, both Mrs Hogan and Ms. Carter do not discount the property as a private residence, with the original owner, a Japanese/Indonesian entrepreneur and record company owner having called it his private home for six years.

All sales enquiries for Saratoga:

Contact: Carol Carter from Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty

Email: carol.carter@qldsir.com

Phone : +61 414 760 305