Drury: Country estate

Set in an English-style rural setting is this exceptional family home oozing quality features and craftsmanship. By CEDRIC GRAY.

When master builder Glenn McLean built his new home he told his staff that they could take as long as they liked as long as they did a good job. That was 18 years ago, and a report from a firm of registered valuers and property consultants subsequently confirmed Glenn's quest for excellence, describing the home as presenting "an imposing appearance" and as being "of exceptional quality throughout".

Undoubtly, the report would have been even more generous in its praise had it been penned today, because the immaculately presented, English-style home is now at the end of an avenue of American pinoaks, and is surrounded by lawns that look as though they have been groomed with a nail file.

The property, known as McLean Estate, is in Jesmond Rd, close to the Drury off-ramp on the southern motorway, about 5km from Papakura. The well-drained 11ha is in excellent pasture - "the grass keeps on growing," says Glenn - and protected by mature shelter belts planted by the McLeans when about 2ha was in kiwifruit. This south-western corner is now fenced into a cluster of paddocks grazing young beef cattle.

It is altogether a stunning environment. Two or three much larger paddocks to the north also offer superior grazing, and are fertile enough to offer a variety of options - from horse adjistment to commercial horticulture. There is ample quality water from a deep-well filtered bore.

The stylish four-bedroom home of more than 520sq m (including a four-car garage with four remote-controlled roller doors) has several eye-catching features. The exterior has a feature wall of Coromandel, South American and Italian granite, the same mix used for the striking fireplace in the formal lounge.

"We wanted an English stone barn look," says Glenn, who spent four weeks in England with his English-born wife, Gail, before the house was built. "We got the stone by the truck load as we needed it. When we had enough, we stopped."

Walnut-stained kauri has been used extensively throughout the main living areas - in the impressive entry lobby, lounge, formal dining and the more casual family room. The staircase to the upstairs master bedroom (with en suite, walk-in wardrobe and balcony) and all the interior doors are beautifully crafted out of kauri, as are features of the kitchen and adjacent octagonal-shaped breakfast area.

A third feature is the glorious spa bathroom next to the guest bedroom (with en suite). Further down the passageway are the family bedrooms, laundry, bathroom and office. Several rooms have direct access to the outdoors where the focal point is a large in-ground swimming pool and neat pool shed.

The outbuildings include a well-constructed barn, which could easily be converted into living accommodation.

The property will be auctioned by Bayleys, Papakura, on October 29. Contact Rex Gazzard on 298 2525 or 021 745 267 for details.