Mt Albert: Big is beautiful

One of the finest properties in Mt Albert, it is also expected to be one of the area's biggest sales. By VICKI HOLDER.

'The home's great layout can't be faulted. It has great entertaining spaces and many separate areas treat adults and children to a sense of independence'

Don't you just love it when you've driven along a street for years, then suddenly you discover it has a secret you never knew existed?

This huge, hidden property is one of those rare gems that takes you by surprise.

At the end of a long right-of-way, it's a resort-like, family oasis sheltering peacefully in park-like grounds on the sunny side of the mountain. Children can run and play on an expansive level lawn or climb the many trees that grow up around the boundaries. Traditional in its design and planting scheme, the garden was originally created by landscaper Gary de Beere. It combines many different varieties, which jostle for your attention. Spring unfolds with a burst of juicy green and colourful blossoms. Yet it's an all-weather garden with massive palms that add a slightly subtropical flavour. Along with the many fruit trees, an avocado and a macadamia nut tree provide a veritable bounty.

Designed by Frans Kamermans, the handsome, two-level home was built about 15 years ago to cater for the needs of a busy, growing family. Steep, timber shingled roofs from both levels tower over the large parking forecourt, and the three-car garaging is handy for a larger family.

While the furnishings are a little tired, the home's great layout can't be faulted. It has great entertaining spaces and many separate areas treat adults and children to a sense of independence.

Two enormous living areas meet across a vast outdoor entertaining terrace, overlooking a solar-heated pool. Oriented to the sun, the various levels of the terrace provide numerous places for guests to mingle and soak up the relaxing garden ambience. Built-in kwila seating runs along the edges of the terraces so there's always somewhere to perch without hauling out the deck chairs.

Between the pool and cute, timber changing rooms, there's a large, built-in table. A simple rectangle of timber hardwood, it offers a ready-made spot to picnic inside a border of seating.

At the end of the pool area, glass sliders open from an artist's studio, which has to be one of the most pleasant places to work in the city. As it features a kitchenette, the room is suited to a variety of work-from-home options.

Of the home's living areas, the formal entertaining room feels all the more voluminous with a tall, coved, sarked ceiling. A fireplace keeps it cosy. In the family area through cavity doors, tiled floors are heated. The kitchen, in a pale shade of aqua marine, peers over a white Corian benchtop to light-filled family dining and sitting areas.

Away from family rooms, a guest bedroom sits downstairs beside the guest bathroom. Teenagers gain their freedom as well, in an upstairs loft lounge area with an en suite and abundant storage above the garage. It's accessed by a second set of stairs leading from the entry, so teens or guests can come or go from the house without disturbing anyone sleeping above.

Up the broad main stairs, a third living area offers somewhere else to relax in the sun. Views from this upstairs lounge reach over the treetops to the harbour in the distance.

Three more bedrooms on this level are all generous doubles, including the master bedroom, which comes with a walk-in wardrobe plus en suite. The only bathroom of four in the house to have been revamped since the home was built, it has a chic contemporary look. The dark timber and glass vanity match a storage tower on the wall.

The owner says this secret haven has been heaven for the boys over the growing years. Often she would come downstairs and discover extras; her children's friends who had simply bunked down somewhere for the night, which was never a problem. She has many happy memories of spending blissful summer days around the pool and recalls the property has accommodated many large parties with exceptional ease, including a wedding attended by 400 guests!

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 15 Stilwell St, Mt Albert.

FEATURES: Large, hidden estate with home designed by Frans Kamermans 15 years ago; two large living areas opening to pool terrace; third living area on landing upstairs; resort-like garden area; distant sea views; five bedrooms, including teenage retreat with own stairs; four bathrooms, including guest bathroom and master en suite; three-car garaging; changing rooms with toilet; artist's studio with kitchenette.

SIZE: Floor area 353sq m, including garage; decks 62sq m; land area 2423sq m.

AUCTION: 7pm, November 8, Mt Albert Senior Citizens hall, cnr Wairere Ave and New North Rd, Mt Albert.

AGENT: Anne Duncan, Anne Duncan Real Estate. Ph 846 9470; 021 996 426 mob.