Luxury in the style of Cape Cod

With a stunning river backdrop, this landmark property oozes luxury – and is an entertainer’s delight, whether its relaxing on the balconies or doing a spot of jet skiing.

Pull up at 3 Kootingal St in Ashmore and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re 1700km away in the tree-lined streets of Melbourne’s playground for the rich and famous – Toorak. The prized estate has been owned by two prominent Gold Coast families in its time, but the current owner, Paul Lathorous, describes himself as its most “shockingly passionate”.

“When I first saw this property, I called my wife to tell her that I had stumbled upon the most beautiful parcel of land, and it turns out her parents had been married under the gum tree in the backyard,” he said.

“Before our family, the home belonged to Gold Coast royalty, the McLarens, and before that the Blanche family.

“The house sits on a bit of a natural spur that gets it very close to the water compared to other homes in the street, so it has always been unique.”

Warm, inviting and drawing inspiration from America’s Victorian-style Cape Cod architecture and showpiece homes in New

Zealand’s Arrowtown, the home was designed to stand out, Mr Lathorous said.

He engaged South African architect Ewald de Weerd, of BDA Architecture, to create its unique feel. “This is a craftsman’s home,” he said. “A lot of what you see on the Gold Coast is shiny and sleek and what we have achieved here is something that exudes relaxation, warmth and comfort – nothing brash.

“The white columns and elevation at the back of the house remind me of Cape Cod in America, and much of the layout stretches back to Australia in the 1950s and ’60s with an old money, big country estate feel.”

If you’re a person who loves lightning, you’ll love the views from the deep colonialAustralia-style balconies when the sky puts on a show.

“That true Queensland comfort element is made possible with the huge balconies and, on a stormy night, you can just open it all up and sit there and watch it roll in,” Mr Lathorous said.

Perched on the Nerang River, the main residence has five bedrooms with a luxe master suite, a gourmet kitchen and scullery, a library, a subterranean wine cellar, and stacker doors leading to multiple decks and outdoor entertaining spaces with room to entertain 500.

There is also a separate two-bedroom guesthouse, a 25m lap pool, a waterfront fire pit, a ski hut, a 12m pontoon, a jet ski dock and a boat ramp.

Set on an expansive 5625sq m block within the exclusive Paradise River enclave, the property is a short drive from Southport, with its blue-ribbon educational offerings, a championship golf course, and beautiful beaches.

The property will go to auction, via Kollosche Broadbeach, on Friday, January 20, at 10am.

For more details or to arrange an inspection, phone Michael Kollosche on 0411 188 815 or Harry Kakavas on 0401 379 248.