A stately home

Revamped and updated to meet the needs of modern family living, this grand old dame oozes historical magnificence at every turn, as VICKI HOLDER discovers.

This stately landmark homestead in Remuera has witnessed many changes since it was built in the 1860s. Impressively updated for practical family living, Glenholm remains a magnificent home with vast spaces, close to the city yet sheltered and private.

Although the former surrounding farmland has been lost and neighbours have popped up all around, Glenholm is still a hidden oasis and noted as one of the biggest historic properties in the area. Well-known in Auckland, its grounds were frequented by gardening enthusiasts when the property featured in the Auckland Trinity Garden Festival.

Subsequent owners have modified and enhanced the property to ensure that it's more than just a showpiece. When the natural stone pool went in at the back in the early 1990s, it was bordered by effusive English country-style planting. However, the large number of roses and perennials were a lot of work.

Today's owners, Brian Carter and Clare Bradley, had landscape architect Cilla Cooper create an easy-care, subtropical scheme. Palms and bromeliads ensure the pool looks good all year round. Cilla also completed a theme that is to be continued around the rest of the property, which incorporates existing trees, including towering elms and oaks.

Although the home has grand, formal spaces, it was the sunny and warm family and kitchen area that took Brian's and Clare's fancy. A sweeping, white, solid surface bench-cum-breakfast bar incorporating the Gaggenau hob splices through the middle of the space, separating the kitchen from the rest of the room. "It's a big area with a great flow that can easily accommodate us and our extended family," says Brian. "We spend 75% of our time there."

Sun pours into the kitchen and adjacent sitting area through a traditional English-style, glass-and-timber conservatory. With a soaring, glass roof as well as glazed bifold windows and doors all around, the conservatory soaks up every available ray of light. Terracotta-tile floors trap the warmth of the sun, while in winter the central gas heating throughout the house makes a difference.

The conservatory looks north across the private pool and a big children's play area. It opens to a broad veranda that wraps around the front of the house, linking the formal dining and lounge through french doors. When entertaining large numbers, the guests can wander freely outside, as well as between rooms inside.

Guests take the formal entry at the north end of the house, through an entrance hall with a lofty 4.25m stud height. The vast walls display large artworks that you simply couldn't hang in the average home.

However, the tradesperson's entry to the rear is the quickest route from the driveway and double garage. Typically, the former mudroom, which is now the laundry, is large. It's flanked by a wine cellar with storage for 1100 bottles. There's also a butler's pantry behind the kitchen, which is a great storage area.

Big enough to comfortably seat 24 people at the table, the pale, gold-striped dining room boasts grand proportions. Drawing attention to the high stud, a wrought-iron chandelier hangs from a flamboyant ceiling rose. Luscious red curtains drape at the windows and the french doors to the veranda. A classical plaster fireplace is one of five in working order in the house.

Across the hallway, the lounge balances the proportions of the dining room. The smoky green-blue walls enhance the richness of the gleaming timber floors.

Brian and Clare have added tall, white cabinetry and substantial shelving to the room further along, turning it into a cosy library that's warmed by an open fire.

Upstairs, architect Ken Crosson has reconfigured the spaces to add a fifth double bedroom. Both bathrooms have had a stunning contemporary makeover, featuring terrazzo, elegant taps and sculptural basins. The bath in the big family bathroom is subtly lit by dots that form a line of light recessed in an aluminium channel. The en suite for the generous master bedroom won the award for Bathroom of the Year in 2001 for its clever design, which partially hides a dressing room and a double shower behind timber slats.

Big enough for the largest of families, Glenholm has the added bonus of independent guest accommodation above the garaging in a spacious studio loft.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: 37 Portland Rd, Remuera.

FEATURES: Historic mansion built in 1860 modified by subsequent owners with award-winning renovation by architect Ken Crosson; Victorian conservatory; formal dining; lounge; library; five bedrooms; two and a half bathrooms; wine cellar; butler's pantry; separate accommodation above double garaging; central gas heating; heated swimming pool; subtropical plants; electronic gates.

SIZE: Land area 1600sq m.

TENDER: Tender closes at 4pm, July 9.

AGENT: Paul Barnao, Barfoot & Thompson, Remuera. Ph 524 0149 bus; 300 6030 ah; 021 920 745 mob.