Set amidst a sprawling 2244m² of north-facing riverside grounds, 185 Westlake Drive offers the space to live the enviable lifestyle afforded by a palatial five-bedroom home with a tennis court and swimming pool, surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens.
Every facet of this property is immaculate, from the sweeping, electronically-gated front entranceway to the floodlit, north-south facing tennis court that overlooks the river.
Number 185 is one of very few half acre blocks in the area and is positioned directly across the river from the University of Queensland’s Pinjarra Farm – a pocket of land that can never be built out, ensuring the ongoing preservation of the home’s present leafy views.
It is easy to access the water from the house with neat lawns leading down to a fully retained river bank where a ramp is on hand to slip a kayak or other small craft into the river.
The entire property has been designed around this serene vista, with the two-storey house elevated above the tennis court, providing uninterrupted views from most rooms and the expansive entertainment area.
These views are framed by an elegant interior of cream and Italian marble which has been used throughout. The only exception to this is in the family room where a hint of blue has been introduced in the carpet, and in the kitchen, where luxurious blue pearl granite has been used for the bench tops. This complementary palette has created a refined, sophisticated air which is carried through the entire home.
The house was designed by Osterfield and Johnson. This 65 squares under roof home has an executive family in mind. As a result there is plenty of room for everyone, no matter what the style of entertainment or relaxation.
The formal living and dining rooms sit side by side and create a graceful ambience with their high, vaulted ceilings, fireplace with marble surrounds and picturesque outlook to a pretty cottage garden.
The family room meanwhile, is a more casual affair with its open plan layout that provides space for both a lounge and breakfast area. The kitchen is the centre point here, with its granite benches working in well with the new stainless steel Bosch appliances and neutral cabinetry. Floor to ceiling walls of glass provide a backdrop to this space and afford magnificent views across the pool and terrace, over the tennis court and out to the river beyond.
The media room is nestled just around the corner and is a great space for entertaining with a wall-mounted 50inch plasma screen television, in-built bar – again topped with blue pearl granite, and an adjacent powder room. It leads out to the terrace where the fully tiled pool creates a sparkling feature which is especially stunning at night when fully lit.
There are five double bedrooms in total, including a guest suite on the lower level with its own ensuite, and four bedrooms upstairs with the master room boasting dual walk-in robes and a marble ensuite with spa. Two of the other rooms have in-built study nooks with broadband wiring, making them perfect for students.
A vast home office is located on the lower level and is fully wired with broadband and two telephone lines. A dedicated gym complete with mirrored walls is located next door and can become a part of the office or completely closed off via a bank of bi-folding doors.
Technologically speaking, the home has fully-zoned air-conditioning, a Vacuumaid system, back to base security with a hidden safe and ducted music to the formal and casual areas as well as to the external terrace. To top it all off, the entire block has been fitted with a fully automated watering system that even takes care of pot plants. With the water restrictions in place, the system is currently linked to a large 15,000L water tank system, though it can be switched back to town water at any time. A grey water system is also present on the property. There is also plenty of room for storage with several linen cupboards, a large utility room and a storeroom next to the three-car garage.
Blocks of this size are certainly a rarity, and when combined with such an enjoyable riverside aspect, they become almost unique. Introduce an executive, elegant family home, a pool, flood lit tennis court and manicured grounds and what is created is an extraordinary offering that will set a precedence in Westlake for years to come.
