Resort-style living in Whitford will be ‘north of $15m’

There’s a whole other world tucked away down the country lanes in Whitford, east of Auckland - large, sprawling estates with manicured landscapes, lakes, fountains, pools, tennis courts and lawns.

But it’s rare that we get to see these jaw-dropping properties, because they’re invariably very private estates. So it’s fascinating to glimpse this waterfront country estate, and we only get to see it because it has been listed for sale for the first time since it was built 35 years ago.

The property, at 5 Birch Park Lane, Whitford is being marketed by Carolyn Hanson and Markus Blum of NZ Sotheby’s International Realty, Auckland South East. They say the owners “are heading to the winterless north where they have another nice property lined up.”

The agents make no secret this property has “global appeal”. For starters, it sprawls over 5.2ha and includes all the features mentioned above, plus “equestrian facilities of international calibre“. And, as is typical with such large estates, there are several buildings, starting with the main residence, which is a massive 610m².

Additional accommodation is provided in a guest cottage and there are living quarters above the stable complex, providing 10 bedrooms in all.

There’s a strong European sensibility to the architecture, from the shutters and limestone-framed entry to the colonnaded terraces, sculptures and fountains. There’s even a vaulted fresco ceiling, such as you might see in a grand Italian castello. It’s above the main foyer and staircase, and features a painting of clouds, trees and people leaning over a balustrade.

Blum says he was “speechless” the first time he entered the house. “We don’t get the privilege of going to a property like this very often. It has been beautifully restored by the owners, and added onto over the years. It just keeps on giving. Everywhere you turn, there is something special to look at.”

Not the least of which is the underground wine cellar capable of storing 3000 bottles - it has its own private dining room and is climate controlled by a state-of-the-art home automation system. Blum describes it as “unbelievable and world-class”.

Both formal and informal living rooms continue the Italian influence; there’s a massive stone fireplace in the family living room. This huge, open-plan space flows outdoors to an entertaining terrace that overlooks the manicured grounds and heated saltwater pool.

Not surprisingly, this is a house designed for entertaining on a grand scale. The kitchen is vast, with two Aga cookers - one of which is large enough to boast five separate ovens.

Traditional, handcrafted panel cabinetry harks back to an earlier era, and is teamed with beautiful stone splashbacks and granite benchtops. And, of course there is also a scullery and butler’s pantry. It doesn’t stop there - a second kitchen plus an outdoor teppanyaki kitchen also help to cater to a crowd.

There’s plenty to see beyond the house, including Monet-inspired gardens with a lake, bridge and central fountain - there’s even a rowboat. And then there’s the championship tennis court, terraced just below the infinity-edge pool. The newly built poolhouse has gym and changing facilities.

Few estates would have the equestrian facilities on offer here, namely an Olympic-sized arena, seven stables, a washdown area, workroom, fully enclosed lunge ring and accommodation. Plus there are paddocks, troughs and a deep bore water supply.