The sordid tale of Sam and Pam

A somewhat forgotten Melbourne landmark (and perhaps one some hope stays forgotten) is the Newman House in St Kilda West. What landmark could former Cats player turned ‘colourful’ TV identity Sam Newman have been responsible for? His old house that he placed a giant mural of Pamela Anderson’s face on it of course.

The construction of this picture was huge news back in 2000, being reported as another of Newman’s notorious practical jokes he was known to do both on and off The Footy Show for simple shock value. Newman hired architect Cassandra Fahey to design the picture so that  the mouth opens to lead into the garage … with Anderson’s permission of course. The Port Phillip Council was far from impressed with the idea and voted against it. However once it was up the council felt it made the area stand out and let it be (the mural even won the award for Best New Residential Building in the RAIA Victorian Architecture Awards.) But why did Sam Newman want a picture of Pamela Anderson at front of his house? He thought she was hot!

Newman sold the house for $1.1 million in 2002 to financial adviser Sean Patrick Taylor who sold it to Ned Gestos and Nuria  Ruiperez for $1.5 million about five years ago (who are also currently trying to sell it). Know how much Newman paid for it originally? A measly $150,000 back in 1995.

Just goes to show sex sells!

The Newman House is located at 270 Canterbury Road in St Kilda West.