The couple who lovingly created this stunning Albert van Vliet-designed, six-year-old manor on rolling countryside – just eight minutes’ drive from Waiuku – spared no expense in building their dream 300sqm forever home behind secure electric gates and paid loving and meticulous attention to every single detail.
The exterior of the main house is rock-solid, constructed with bespoke bricks which were manufactured in Huntly and the wall, floor and ceiling insulation – plus the high-tech double-glazing throughout – even in the double garage, far exceeds New Zealand requirements.
“We wanted something warm and comfortable and built to extremely high standards, as that’s what we were used to in our respective home countries in Europe,” says the owner of 1096F Awhitu Road in Waiuku, Franklin, which is for sale by negotiation.
In addition, Victorian-style cast iron radiators add further comfort and style, while heat pumps provide air conditioning in summer.
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A classic country kitchen presents as being straight out of an English house and garden magazine, with hand-waxed oak joinery, a butler’s sink, wooden floorboards and brilliant blue tiles – as well as the luxury of a scullery.
Also on the ground floor is a bright sunny living room, elegant separate dining, and a formal lounge.
The owner describes the four bedrooms as being ‘oversized’ and as well as an enormous master – complete with adjacent ensuite – they include a ‘magic room,’ added in 2020, which she says was designed to bring The Chronicles of Narnia to mind.
The barn is currently rented on a short-term lease. Photo / Supplied
The classic country kitchen has hand-waxed oak joinery, a butler’s sink, wooden floorboards and brilliant blue tiles. Photo / Supplied
In addition to the main house is a large American-style 228sqm barn with one gigantic bedroom and a commercial grade kitchen, along with a living area, which currently provides excellent scope for a man-cave but is incredibly versatile.
In addition is the bathroom, and another double garage space. The barn is currently rented on a short-term lease, and it too is highly insulated and double-glazed.
Surrounding the two buildings are seven large paddocks and one smaller one next to the house. As a keen equestrian, the owner always loved the idea of having horses in her garden and this particular paddock now forms the back yard, where two covered areas – including a recently installed gazebo – allow for alfresco dining and entertaining all-year-round, with a spa and outdoor oven as well.
The surrounding land is green and verdant with mature kauri and manuka and cattle and Quarter horse breeding aspects include a cattle race, loading ramp and, most impressively, a 480sqm, all-weather riding arena.
The home has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a formal dining room and multiple living areas. Photo / Supplied
The ensuite in the master bedroom. Photo / Supplied
A new job outside the immediate area sees this once-in-a-lifetime home available for new owners to move in and enjoy the fruits of its vendors’ visionary design and hard work.
“To be honest, I think we’ll have to build once more, in order to achieve the same calibre again,” says the owner.
Ishan Sikka, of Barfoot & Thompson, says that this is a rare opportunity to purchase a property which exudes quality far beyond usual Kiwi standards in an attractive and convenient location.
He says that its assets and potential go far beyond what can be conveyed in words and urges interested parties to visit and inspect.
“The views are spectacular and it’s hard to describe how good this really is.”
- 1096F Awhitu Road in Waiuku, Franklin, is for sale by negotiation
