Remuera: Luxury on tap

Designed to meet the needs of family and friends alike, there's very little that this luxurious pad hasn't got. By VICKI HOLDER.

The northern slopes residential strip between King's School and Garden Rd in Remuera is renowned for some of the biggest, most expensive homes in Auckland.

Neighbours don't exactly squeeze in here. Individual sections are enormous. However, the panoramic water views gained so near to Remuera village ensure land in this exclusive domain is intensely sought-after.

The latest addition to the landscape is a masterpiece by Peter Turner's KJB Developments. A Lawrence Sumich-designed mansion, it surpasses anything built for the past few years in terms of its size, quality and ease of modern living.

Traditional Remuera it might be, with understated classical styling in cinnamon stucco and extensive white timber joinery. But as far as the facilities and design detailing go, it's right up there on a par with any international offering for the truly rich, famous or aristocratic.

There are all the usual extras, which have almost become de rigueur for today's expensive real estate - like the full air-conditioning system that lets you control the temperature in each room, under-floor heating, intercom systems throughout, audio and visual equipment supplied to all rooms, fully integrated telecommunication system and extensive security systems.

There can be few other homes in Auckland that boast their own fully integrated movie theatre off the billiard room. An elegant, beautifully lit room, it features eight plump suede reclining theatre seats and the southern night sky reproduced in lights in the ceiling. The only thing missing is the popcorn machine.

Behind the seven-car garaging in the basement, there's a 115,000lt water tank that collects rain water from the roof for the pool and garden. To save climbing the stairs, there is a lift discreetly concealed behind a cupboard door that rises to all levels.

The promotional brochure understates the number of bedrooms as four - there are many other places that guests could sleep comfortably. The figure accounts for the large bedrooms on the upper level for the family. All except one have walk-ins and each has a beautiful pale oak en suite. The master bedroom suite is a serious sanctuary, with a fitted dressing room that would accommodate most people's living quarters. A whole basketball team could shower in the stone and oak-lined en suite.

Safe and secure beyond a double gated driveway, the home spreads across an acre of hidden land, looking down a leafy valley to the Auckland Harbour, Mt Victoria and North Head.

To one side, the championship-size tennis court stretches next to the neighbour's not-quite-championship-sized court. Family and formal living areas on the lower level open out through bifolds to a terrace, perfect lawns and a mosaic pool. Grounds tier down to a petanque court and ponds that border a native reserve above the King's School playing field.

As you drive down the drive, you pass the self-contained guest or staff accommodation. The size of an average home, it doubles as a super comfortable tennis pavilion with a full kitchen, bathroom, laundry and garage plus a living area and bedroom that open to the terrace overlooking the court.

The grand entry to the main house makes you feel small. Sheltered behind a massive retaining wall disguised with an espaliered port wine magnolia, it's sheltered by two wings that reach back from the house.

Floating above a water feature, a female figure in bronze greets visitors as they swing into the turning bay in front of the main door.

As a finely crafted steel balustrade circles up from dark American oak floors in the entry hall, visitors catch a peep of the view on the other side. Your feet sink luxuriously into the plush cinnamon carpet in the lounge, where a beamed ceiling and gas fireplace emulate period character. Traditional styling continues in a huge oak-panelled library next door.

A tall coved ceiling is dramatically lit by lighting concealed in cornices in a guest suite on the ground floor. Cabinetry and shelving line the walls, so this big room that flanks the entry could be used as an office.

Incorporated in the family area at the other end, the kitchen - lined with dark oak cabinetry - has a traditional American look. A marble island bench is fitted with a drinks cabinet and fridge. Cream cupboards inset with a silvery fabric match the stainless-steel tiles in the cooking recess. Gaggenau appliances include gas burners, a steamer, grille, barbecue and double oven.

A Sony plasma TV sits above the fireplace in a sitting area. The walls can disappear in summer to give an easy flow to an outdoor barbecue area with a glazed roof. Outdoor living extends well into the cooler months as the barbecue sits next to an outdoor fireplace.

Everything has been planned in this magnificent property to indulge the owners, their family, guests and staff in incredible luxury. It's hard to imagine anything the developer and architect could have forgotten.

Vital statistics

ADDRESS: 288 Remuera Rd, Remuera.

FEATURES: New home designed by architect Sumich and Associates, developed by KJB Developers; valley and harbour views; living on one level leading to swimming pool and spa; fully integrated movie theatre; billiard room; four bedrooms upstairs and huge guest suite on main level; library/office wired for all communications; family room includes extensive sound system and 50-inch plasma TV; wine cellar; workshop; kitchen includes garbage compactor and Gaggenau fridge-freezer; full-size championship tennis court; guest house with separate garage, bedroom and living area; two gas fires.

SIZE: Floor area 1073sq m; land area 4188sq m.

PRICE: $10 million plus.

AGENT: David Rainbow, Bayleys, Remuera. Ph 520 8888 bus; 025 923 364 mob; Paul Barnao, Barfoot & Thompson. Ph 524 0149 bus; 021 920 745 mob.