Whitford: New beginnings

Appealing to horse-lovers, golfers, water babies or people simply into rural living, this former stud farm offers a host of opportunities, writes VICKI HOLDER.

Part of a one-time successful stud farm in Whitford has been carved off and turned into an extraordinary lifestyle property that's ready for a new beginning.

With a substantial home and stable complex, the former Akarana Stud hides in peaceful privacy, just up the road from Pine Harbour Marina and the adjacent Formosa Country Club.

Some years back the stud made its mark on the racing scene with stallions like Uncle Remus. In its heyday, around 110 horses grazed in the lush paddocks belonging to the property. But it has been a year or so since it has operated as a stud. During this time, the property has been split up into units. The original house and the paddocks in its immediate vicinity have been meticulously groomed in preparation for their new role, whatever that will be.

Removing the horses from the adjoining paddocks gave an opportunity to bring the land up to scratch again. The paddocks were sprayed for weeds, spread with urea and nitrogen and, later, fertiliser to ensure their tip-top condition.

Renovations on the house have just been completed, leaving everything spic and span. Impressive high wooden automatic security gates were added to the entry that opens to the long, tree-lined driveway.

Well-hidden from the road, the grand, two-level cedar home, built in the 1980s, incorporates two wings with views across the harbour to the city.

The entire exterior has been re-stained to give it a fresh new appearance. The timber doors to the triple-car garaging and workshop, as well as the breezeway in the middle of the house, were stained a lighter shade for contrast.

Furthest from the road, the main three-bedroom house offers vast light-filled living areas. From a tall, generous, tiled entry foyer, a grand, tiled formal entertaining area beckons guests to enjoy the warmth of two fires in winter. Matching a built-in bar-stand near the kitchen, a solid, expansive new kauri lintel was added to the large open fire on the far wall. An enclosed, free-standing log fire makes an adjacent dining space cosy.

Solid cedar beams support rimu sarking of exceptional quality on the tall, pitched ceiling, hung with heavy steel cartwheel-type chandeliers. These add to the simple, country feel of the room, which looks out through large cedar picture windows. Bifold doors open this room to all-day sun and splendid country views. A slate terrace runs around the house beneath deep timber soffits that give shelter from the weather.

Light pours into the kitchen through an automatic skylight. Fitted with new appliances and rimu tongue-and-groove cabinet doors, the kitchen looks brand new. It reaches into the family room, which is an ample space opening through bifold windows to a sheltered outdoor living space.

Behind it is a big laundry and large bedrooms. A guest bathroom with a shower big enough to party in has entries between the foyer and the bedroom.

The owner's suite incorporates a huge second bathroom where the shower and toilet are private behind tall curved walls of glass bricks. The dressing room opens to the breezeway between the two wings of the house.

Stairs from this area head up to a self-contained, one-bedroom apartment above the garaging.

At the other end, a stable complex comprises 10 loose boxes. This solid building invites plentiful possibilities for refurbishment as teenage quarters or guest accommodation.

With sea and rural views from a north-facing aspect, the property offers an opportunity to escape the stresses of fast city living to ride ponies and enjoy a host of leisure pursuits. With so much space available, somebody might consider turning it into a country lodge, farm stay or bed and breakfast. With so much so close by, the property is sure to appeal to a variety of sports people or just lovers of clean, green, wide, open spaces.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 830 Whitford-Maraetai Rd, Whitford.

FEATURES: Ex-stud farm with post-and-rail fenced paddocks; original home and stables complex; main home comprises two large formal and family living areas with good indoor-outdoor flow; three bedrooms; two bathrooms; dressing room; three-car garaging and workshop; self-contained apartment; stables complex with 10 loose boxes; harbour views; adjacent to Formosa Golf Club and one minute from Pine Harbour Marina; close to beaches.

SIZE: Land area 4.999ha.

AUCTION: 7pm, May 19, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.

AGENT: Christine Fowler, Ray White, Mountford Estate. Ph 535 8128 bus; 021 930 529 mob.