Coatesville: A million dollar villa

CEDRIC GRAY visits a tremendous country homestead complete with a character-filled villa, landscaped grounds, a gym and a fabulous swimming pool.

Twenty years ago, this majestic kauri villa was sawn into sections and transported from its suburban Auckland site to its final resting place overlooking the Coatesville valley, 35km north of the city.

Now beautifully restored and surrounded by lawns and gardens, the 100-year-old villa carries a million-dollar price tag.

The house nestles neatly at the end of a sealed driveway in Donaldson Drive, a couple of kilometres from the Coatesville township. It is a commanding north-facing site, well sheltered from the south and west and with views across the valley to forest-clad hills.

About 3ha of rolling pasture slopes to a dam, which is shared by a neighbouring property. The land is divided into three paddocks and is suited to light grazing.

The villa - and the landscaping, which is admired by visiting gardening enthusiasts - is, however, the real magnet. It retains most of the features of the Victorian era - the long, wide hallway, high ceilings, polished kauri floors and the impression of space with plenty to spare.

It has been extensively renovated and extended since its arrival in Coatesville, yet so expertly has the work been carried out that there is little evidence of any change. A cosy, two-bedroom, self-contained unit, for instance, has been added, which matches the original villa perfectly.

The unit enjoys access to the villa and has its own private entrance, making it ideal for extended family or homestay guests.

The villa covers more than 500sq m on three levels. The central hallway is a feature, leading to a formal dining room and formal lounge on one side, and a casual family room, kitchen and family dining area on the other.

The central kitchen is beautifully appointed with modern appliances, stained oak units and a granite benchtop. Opening to an outdoor balcony, the family areas share the best of the rural views.

The master bedroom shares the first floor with a gym, and features an impressive en suite and two dressing rooms.

There are three ground-floor bedrooms that share a central bathroom, and a basement area with a rumpus room, another bedroom and a bathroom, which provides internal access to two-car garaging.

The focal point of the outdoors is a sheltered in-ground swimming pool with ample room for poolside entertainment and a changing room.

The property is being marketed by The Professionals, Coatesville, at an asking price of $1 million. Contact Lynn Honnor on 415 9026 for further details.