Albany: All aboard

Following a theme of a luxury cruise liner, the new owners of this splendid family home will know what it's like to have the best.

By VICKI HOLDER.

With an eye-catching nautical theme, a luxurious showhome at The Oaks in Albany Estate on the North Shore is an inviting taste of what's to come. Developer Crown Quality Homes plans to build 20 more houses on land behind the property at the end of English Oak Dr.

Towering three levels for uplifting views over the neighbourhood, the showhome has generous proportions, taking its design cues from a luxury cruise liner. Its designer, Jason Ward, incorporated the voluptuous curves, edgy materials and crisp blue and white colours of a ship, which give it a dramatic presence on the corner of the street that leads to other Crown properties.

Stainless steel canopies project over large, north-facing decks, and tall, sweeping, white, Zimmer plastered walls are punctuated with rows of tiny, square porthole windows. Glamorous touches abound throughout, starting with the multicoloured water feature bubbling from a massive pot in the manicured front garden.

The voyage takes you through cool white spaces warmed by exotic russet timber floors from the entry foyer to the downstairs living areas.

A circular glass stairway curls up through white pillars to bedrooms on two upper levels. Jewel-like colours of a spectacular glass chandelier sparkle in pendular drops suspended through the middle. Abundant natural light pours in through a double-height, glass, faceted atrium keeping an internal fern and palm garden healthy.

The living areas are spacious and include two lounges. The manager of Crown Quality Homes, Crown Xu, has lived in the showhome with his family for the past nine months and used the large lounge to the right of the foyer as an office.

Opening through blue-tinted glass sliders to a deck, the room laps up the sun and a gas fire gives a warm ambience in winter. Storage abounds in built-in cabinets along the wall.

Faceted glass windows peep into the sun-drenched rear garden with a spa and barbecue piazza as you head along a curved passage to the family areas and kitchen. Music from a reticulated internal speaker system accompanies you wherever you go in the house.

No dark and poky ship's galley, the designer kitchen is light and bright beneath a big skylight, and frosted glass in the pantry cupboard doors gives a chic, light aesthetic. Even the two Westinghouse ovens below the gas hob feature frosted glass fronts. Silvery granite benchtops marry well with the pale colour scheme and give practical durability for food preparation.

Dominated by a tall, curved wall finished with silver brushstrokes, the dining room opposite invites guests to feast in a theatrical space lit by a stunning modern metallic chandelier. Little portholes march up the rear wall and an expanse of glazing looks into the atrium garden, to make you feel as if you are sitting in the garden. A metallic room divider connects the space to the family lounge next door. Set up to accommodate a large-screen television and entertainment gear raised on a timber floor at the end of the room, this second lounge makes a comfortable family retreat.

As well as a spacious office downstairs, there are five large bedrooms positioned around the upper floors, most of which open to small decks. A heavenly master suite on the top floor has a room-sized dressing room and the en suite is large and luxurious with underfloor heating. The room opens to a private and sunny viewing terrace. Because you are well removed from the rest of the household, an intercom system is provided and a security system gives peace of mind.

In one of the North Shore's newest subdivisions, The Oaks has quickly gained a prestigious reputation. Substantial quality homes are built in appealing open streets, attracting families to a location close to top schools, Massey University, motorway access, the North Shore golf course and Albany Megacentre.

This is a chance to sail away into a life of luxury and comfort.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 2 English Oaks Dr, Albany Estate.

FEATURES: As-new home; large bedrooms plus study; master suite with dressing room and en suite; two lounges plus family room; three bathrooms plus fourth guest powder room; underfloor heating in bathrooms; internal double garaging; internal speaker system and central telephone system; intercom system; central vacuum system; outdoor entertaining piazza with spa pool.

SIZE: Floor area 400sq m; land area 702sq m.

AUCTION: September 25, 2pm.

AGENT: Julie Couper, Harcourts, Albany. Ph 441 4200 bus; 027 495 6659 mob.