For weeks in 2016 the country was hooked on TV’s The Bachelor, as Naz made her play for the very eligible Jordan Mauger, against a background of absolute luxury, harbourside in Mahurangi.
Robert Platt and his wife Annelise had more than a passing interest in the show because Solsbury Hill is their own property, bought in 2015 and rented to Warner Brothers for the duration of the series. It sits high on a hill, with exceptional views of the water and the surrounding countryside.
“The original owners were British,” says Robert. “I think they probably wanted to create a touch of home here.”
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The house, which certainly does resemble an English country manor is constructed from solid concrete block, which has been rendered, and the roof tiles are slate.
“It’s been extremely well-built, using the very highest quality materials,” says Robert, adding that the windows are all double-glazed and efficient underfloor heating means that the fireplaces are rarely used.
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One of the reasons Warner Brothers chose Solsbury Hill for ‘The Bachelor’ is the fact that it is very versatile.
The main house has vast living areas, a dream kitchen and dramatic marble staircase. There is a magnificent master suite complete with his and hers wardrobes, bathroom and a dressing room, on the ground level, plus three further bedrooms upstairs.
A self-contained cottage on site provides further accommodation and there’s also a one-bedroom apartment with its own kitchen, on top of the three-car garage.
“We have a lot of guests from overseas and they enjoy having their own facilities when they are staying with us,” says Robert.
In another nod to the British way of life, the house has a full pub, complete with bar and pool table.
“It’s great in winter because you can relax with a glass of wine and watch sport on the big screen, without having to worry about driving home.”
A dumb waiter allows food to be sent up from the kitchen for a typical pub lunch.
In summer, life tends to focus on the well-established garden and the heated pool. TV viewers will remember the bachelorettes dipping their feet in the water as they plotted ways to snag the bachelor.
A private boardwalk leads from the bottom of the property to a floating pontoon where a boat can be moored and Robert and Annelise have added a jet-ski dock. The fishing here is good and there’s always a supply of Pacific oysters, in season.
Helicopters can land on the property and Robert says that guests often charter one to get them to Waiheke Island for a day trip.
In terms of shops and amenities Puhoi is right nearby and Warkworth is a 15-minute drive. Robert works at the viaduct in Auckland and says that he can be at his desk in 35 minutes.
“There isn’t a single traffic light on the way!”
Agent Jenni Finlayson at Bayleys, who is marketing the property along with colleague Kellie Bissett, says that the private jetty is one of her special highlights.
“It’s a total success and a unique asset that is rarely seen. It works sympathetically with the environment, snaking out through the mangroves.
“The home lends itself to a variety of lifestyle arrangements and the current owners have had year-round pleasure, swimming, fishing and water-skiing.”
Robert and Annelise have decided that it’s time for a lifestyle change, and they’ll always be able to ‘revisit’ their former waterside home by looking up past episodes of ‘The Bachelor’ online!
Find out more about 410 Pukapuka Road, Mahurangi
