Whitford: Hilltop heavan

To-die-for views and a vast, solid masonry home make this property one in a million, writes VICKI HOLDER.

A hilltop property with a magnificent outlook that sweeps across the Hauraki Gulf to Whitford deserved a home to do it justice.

This huge, solid masonry home by Ambler Masonry Homes meets that challenge admirably. Evoking the timeless, classical grandeur of a traditional European chateau, it was built 10 years ago to look as if it had stood on the spot for hundreds of years.

Grand proportions, formal symmetry and the solid stature of the house make it imposing. But the appealing sense of age emanates from butter-coloured plaster walls and concrete trims around the windows that have softly weathered over time.

Owners Peter and Gaylene Ambler sought to build a home with spaces that would adapt to the needs of their young family. The Amblers were among the first to build in the solid masonry style in New Zealand. The construction method has taken the industry by storm in the last few years, because it creates a solid, warm home with superior acoustic qualities. At the time contractors were hesitant about building with masonry, so Peter, who owns Ambler Masonry Homes, became the labourer on the job and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Designed by David Irwin of Paterson Cullen Irwin, the house reflects the Amblers' love of entertaining. A porte-cochere welcomes guests to a grand, double-height entry foyer. The flooring is patterned with strips of recycled matai around Hinuera stone, which marches up the formal staircase to bedrooms on the second level.

The casual and formal areas with to-die-for views reach north to a terrace that spans the full length of the home. From here Peter can almost see the jetty at the end of the street where he and a small bunch of people in the area have exclusive rights to launch their boats.

Broad steps drop down to the lawn and a classically shaped, solar-heated swimming pool. Built before the house was completed, the pool was Gaylene's first priority for her growing family. Along with the generous outdoor entertaining pavilion with log fire, it has become the focus of many a party.

Although the house is built from solid concrete with a concrete mid-floor, recycled matai flooring adds warmth in the family room. It combines well with the rustic texture of the walls to give a casual look. A big room but not over-scaled, it breaks down into comfortable areas for sitting in front of the Jetmaster log fire and casual dining.

The blue kitchen looks over a central granite island. Two Fisher & Paykel ovens sit beneath a gas burner under a French Provincial-style chimney trimmed in tiles. The cupboards have pull-out shelves handy to the DishDrawer, and a vacuum system in the toe-kick sucks away dust.

Gaylene says the desk area is a must in any kitchen, for it lets her file away letters and bits of paper. The butler's pantry to the rear is great for serving drinks in both the family and formal rooms, as it backs onto the formal dining room leading into the lounge. Both these rooms, as well as the study and the children's favourite - an entertainment room further along - have recently been fitted with a textured sisal-look carpet. With a kitchenette, the entertainment room has plenty of space to relax in and watch TV. It also gives additional space to guests staying in the suite next door.

Three bedrooms line up for awesome views upstairs. The master suite boasts a huge, tiled en suite with spa pool and make-up area, which walks through to a dressing room as big as an average double bedroom.

The two children's rooms share a large blue, yellow and white tiled bathroom at the other end, and there's an additional separate toilet at the top of a second set of stairs.

A pool room above the triple garage is the only room in the house built from timber.

A property this big needs lots of storage for all the toys and gardening equipment. There's plenty more space in further garaging attached to stables and a tack room, with loft accommodation above that sits alongside a huge parking area below the house.

Landscaping by Gary de Beere balances the classical lines of the home. It's simple with lots of tailored hedging and easy-care plants, says Gaylene.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 15 Broomfield Rd, Whitford.

FEATURES: Grand, solid masonry home by Ambler Masonry Homes, designed by architect David Irwin; north-facing on elevated lifestyle property with wrap-around harbour views; landscaping by Gary de Beere; four bedrooms; three en suites and two powder rooms; large study; large family room with Jetmaster log fire; kitchen with butler's pantry; formal dining room and lounge with gas fire; underfloor heating throughout both levels; TV room with kitchenette; three-car garaging for main house with children's playroom above; pool pavilion with outdoor fire; solar-heated pool with pool house; stables/tack room/extra garaging and loft accommodation.

SIZE: Land area 1.8164ha.

TENDER CLOSES: July 7.

AGENT: Julie Parmenter, Barfoot & Thompson, Whitford. Ph 530 8292 bus; 021 9982 210 mob.