Whitford: Ocean paradise

Panoramic sea views, the grandest of homes and state-of-the-art technology combine to offer the ultimate in luxury, comfort and security, writes VICKI HOLDER.

After checking out at least 20 other waterfront properties from Orewa to Whitford, an American business executive chose an oceanfront paradise at the tip of Whitford's Clifton Peninsula.

This secluded, romantic hideaway boasts a spectacular 320-degree panoramic view of scenic islands in the Hauraki Gulf and the inlet past Broomfields Point.

To complement the grandeur of the setting, a large English manor-style home was completed in 1994. Nothing less than absolute perfection was good enough for the businessman and his wife. They proceeded to re-model and update the property, installing the finest of everything to achieve an incomparable standard of luxury, comfort and security.

Spending hundreds of hours searching out materials, they had only just finished the mammoth task when a business opportunity enticed them back to the US.

The new owners, therefore, will gain the benefit of their obsessive attention to detail. The state-of-the-art technology starts at the new electronic entry gates. With video surveillance connected to televisions and an intercom system throughout the house, guests don't have to wait long before the gates swing open.

English-style street lamps come on at night when visitors head along the oak-lined driveway to a vast parking area in front of the house.

The security measures around the home are extensive. Most rooms are equipped with internet and Sky connections. Integrated PABX phone lines make it possible for the owners to run a business from home. A computerised irrigation system keeps the garden looking spruce and gas heating ensures the house is warm all year round.

It's a sophisticated home, but it has a traditional ambience, created with beautiful materials, muted furnishings and quality curtain fabrics.

Large entry doors open to an impressive foyer with German limestone flooring. Timber adds beauty and warmth in the beautifully crafted solid rimu staircase, which sweeps up to the bedrooms upstairs from rimu-panelled walls trimmed with rimu skirtings and mouldings.

Crystal chandeliers set a romantic, decorative theme. The large chandelier suspended from the double-height ceiling in the entry is the most magnificent of all, and smaller versions feature in the formal lounge and separate dining room. These great entertaining spaces are designed to soak up the view as they unfold across a deep veranda that runs the length of the ground floor.

The lounge steps down into a cosy space warmed by a Jetmaster fire, which looks out through large windows and french doors. Those views can be appreciated while lounging in the sunny comfort of the fabric squabs grouped around a big, semi-circular bay.

Spiral stairs rise above the bay to a viewing turret decorated in a pretty garden theme, where the owners take picnics and soak up the views.

A solid rimu and granite kitchen overlooks the family area. Everything about the kitchen is big, specially the appliances, which include an Amana fridge-freezer, commercial Viking oven and burner with griddle, two Miele wall ovens and a Miele dishwasher.

As well as a bedroom-sized study between the entry and the three-car garaging, two separate bedroom wings feature four bathrooms and three security alarm zones, upstairs and down. In all, five bedrooms look out to the view.

Guests have their independence in their own sitting area at the other end of the house. The master suite with a huge tiled bathroom opens to a balcony that looks over the property to the sea.

Nature lovers and water sport enthusiasts alike will love this property. Only 30 minutes from the city, it offers everything from waterfront hiking and horse-riding tracks to water-skiing, boating and fishing. It also has a private gate to the inlet for launching a boat.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 176 Potts Rd, Whitford.

FEATURES: Remodelled, luxurious English manor house on Clifton Peninsula; broad north-facing verandas off formal and family living areas; Jetmaster fire in lounge; turret above living areas; ocean views over paddocks; rimu joinery; crystal chandeliers; German limestone floors; six bedrooms with internet connections, fax and phones; laundry chute; four bathrooms plus guest powder room; guest lounge fitted out as media library; security gates; internal security doors; three-zone alarm system; irrigation system; two hidden 600 gallon water tanks; chattels negotiable.

SIZE: Land area approx 2.08ha; floor area 502sq m.

AUCTION: 7pm, February 24, at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.

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