KEY POINTS:
This is the house that Christmas built - or to be more precise, the house that 85,000 Chrisco hampers built.
Scheduled for completion in March, the Coatesville property is owned by Richard and Ruth Bradley - the reclusive English couple who made their fortune from "helping you save for a magical Christmas".
The 2323sq m house, believed to be the country's largest, is also the country's most expensive, with conservative estimates of its value hovering around $30 million. The average Chrisco hamper costs just over $350.
The house is grand in every sense.
Designed by Parnell architect Greg Noble, the Mediterranean-style house, on Mahoenui Valley Rd north of Albany, has at least six bedrooms, nearly as many bathrooms, a large dining area and separate kitchen.
Next to the main house is a barn and garage area that looks out on to a maze garden, ponds, palm trees and a large pool.
But building the house was not without incident.
In February a tradesman was killed on site after being struck by a steel boom while two co-workers were trying to dismantle a crane.
The Bradleys were unavailable for comment, but a spokesman for the couple said they were "very private people" who shunned the limelight.
Little is known about the couple, apart from their involvement in the Christmas hamper business, which had humble beginnings in Britain 30 years ago.
The Bradleys moved to New Zealand in 1993, established Chrisco, and within two years turned the home-based business into one of the country's best-known brands.
Since then they have expanded into Australia and Canada - with the company showing no signs of slowing down. This year Chrisco sold more than 500,000 Christmas hampers in New Zealand.
However, the business hasn't been without controversy. While the company promises "convenience and value", a Consumer magazine investigation found a Chrisco hamper could cost a third more than buying the goods at a supermarket.
The Bradleys are no longer active in the company, but Richard Bradley still has a place on the Chrisco board. He is also heavily involved in finance and property investment.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
