It was a love of the neighbourhood and a vision to create a home spacious enough to comfortably accommodate three generations that compelled the owners of this Epsom estate to build in 2010.
“We only lived round the corner and moved into a rental halfway between the two while the new one was built,” shares one of the owners.
“The kids laughed and said we weren’t very adventurous but the area is enormously attractive to us – it’s so central and we love Cornwall Park. We run a lot there and play cricket, it’s a huge part of our lives and it’s just at the end of our street.”
The enormous 2376sqm site embraces Claude Road and Emerald Street and provided the perfect canvas to build their dream home, which currently has an RV of $9.2 million, which they designed in a classic heritage style.
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The seriously spacious, two-level layout had to accommodate the couple’s four children, as well as a set of elderly parents.
“We wanted mum and dad to have their own space, so they had a sitting room next to their bedroom and bathroom downstairs. Upstairs, we wanted all the kids to be on the same floor as us and there’s separate space up there for them to watch TV and have their mates over.
“Then there is a guest bedroom with an ensuite downstairs as well, so we were really equipped for anything.
“Before my dad passed away, he had two of his great grandchildren in the house as well. From that family relationship perspective it’s been absolutely awesome, because you can spread out and you don’t get on each other’s nerves.”
The ground floor’s exquisite kitchen, living and dining spaces flow seamlessly from one to the next, as well as outside to the north-facing loggia. Photo / Supplied
The 2376sqm corner street site provided the perfect canvas to build the owners’ dream home. Photo / Supplied
The ground floor’s exquisite kitchen, living and dining spaces flow seamlessly from one to the next, as well as outside to the north-facing loggia, 15m swimming pool complex and floodlit championship tennis court.
“We entertain a lot and both come from big families, so we’ve had a lot of extended family dos and significant birthdays here, from 21sts to 90ths. We’ve had so many good times. For years we’ve hosted the work Christmas parties and events when new staff came onboard – the indoor-outdoor flow works really well, along with the fact everything is on the same level.”
A friend helped them design the now beautifully established landscaping and lovely English garden at the front.
“The hedges give us so much privacy, when you’re at home you don’t feel like you’re in the middle of the city.
“The kids had so much space to run around and play outside. The tennis court has also been used for cricket practice, soccer practice, hockey practice and in the latter years, basketball. Our youngest’s mates would all come over and play basketball, then jump in the pool.”
The couple also considered sustainability when they were building the home.
The seriously spacious, two-level layout accommodated the homeowners’ four children, as well as a set of elderly parents. Photo / Supplied
The Epsom home was built in 2010 and now has a 2021 RV of $9.2m. Photo / Supplied
“We put solar panels on the roof for the pool and hot water heating and we put a big tank in the front to take all the roof water for gardening and irrigation. The raised vege gardens out the back were my father’s passion, so that’s a really productive garden that’s fun to play with.”
This touch of self-sufficiency, along with the space and fabulous facilities, meant that the family cherished their time together during Covid lockdowns.
“It was like being in a resort – the kids had their weight training gear on the tennis court and we had a bungy cord attached in the swimming pool so that our competitive swimmer could train.
“It’s been such a wonderful house but now it’s just the two of us, it’s clearly way too big. So it’s time for us to move to something smaller but we’ll be so sad to go.”
Gary Wallace, from Bayleys, is marketing the property with Vicki Wallace and says “in my 20 years selling high-end property, it’s hard to recall an estate of this scale. Inside and out, it is immaculate. There’s not a cent to spend on it”.
“It’s really quite unique and has a magnificent feel, when you’re in there you really feel as though you’re in another world. It’s very much an intergenerational home and everything is on a generous scale – the grounds, four-car garaging and room for another four cars off the street behind secure gates.”
- 11 Claude Road in Epsom, Auckland, is on the market for sale by a set date, closing April 10
