Epsom - Epic proportions

A large poolside guest house came in handy when a family renovated its four-storey mansion.

7 Castle Drive, Epsom.

Beneath the classical lines of this elegant house beats the big warm heart of a family home that began life 50 years ago as a much smaller, single-storey building.

About 20 years ago the original home became the structural heart of a major renovation that added the four-storeys of family living, and gave it the prestigious presence it enjoys today.

Located high on a sunny knoll behind a mature oak tree, and embraced by a verdant, sub-tropical garden, this tall, proud home is just part of the picture that unfolds beyond the double gates at the bottom of the driveway.

At the lowest level of the garden there is the self-contained guest house by the pool. Suzanna and Clifford Cook lived here while they redecorated the main house shortly after they moved in 12 years ago.

Stretching out lazily beside the pool across 250sq m of floor space, the guest house alone was bigger than any home the family had previously lived in.

When they relocated up the driveway to their ``new'' main house it was, she remembers, ``a little scary because it was just so big.''

Yet by the nature of its floor plan, it has worked its charm as a cosy, welcoming home that the family with five children (three of whom still live at home) have loved so much that they just never got around to moving house again.

All the bedrooms and en suites are located on the upper storey with breathtaking views across the city. Suzanna has redesigned the en suites, adding opulence and stylish practicality with glossy tiles and built-in glass shelving.

The kitchen and main living areas unfold off the main entrance on the next floor down. Travertine marble flooring throughout the entrance to the kitchen and casual dining area complements the tones of the neutral carpet in the family room, with its red papered walls, and the large formal dining room and lounge.

There is a deck off the kitchen, and another off the family room. Here Suzanna created a special alfresco dining area by adding wrap-around shutters beneath the glass-capped, pitched roof pergola.

Down one more level there is the large media room with a home theatre, a large gym, a sauna and the laundry. The ground floor comprises the two-plus car garage and storage cupboards.

Beyond the walls there are views up and down the property. Fulsome planting on the volcanic slopes enhances the poolside retaining walls, the space for which had to be created by blasting the volcanic basalt rock that characterises these inner Auckland suburbs.

The view down to the pool and guest house has special memories for Suzanna. Their daughter moved into the house as a teenager after the youngest child was born. Says Suzanna ``We'd wave good night to her every night and she thought that was just wonderful.''

Now it's time for another family to claim this property and put its own stamp on its spaces, as earlier owners have done so well.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 7

BATHROOMS: 8

GARAGES: 4+

SIZE: Land 1540sq m, main house 680sq m (approx), pool house 250 sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Around $5.5 million. Expressions of interest close this Thursday August 24.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz # 360361

CONTACT: David Rainbow and Rita Haagner, Bayleys, ph David 021 923 364, Rita 021 759 717.

FEATURES: Main house has family room, formal living and dining and casual living and dining. Media room, full-sized billiard room, gymnasium, sauna, wine cellar and laundry. Lift service to all levels. Self-contained guest house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, living areas opening to pool and separate double garaging.