In the manner of a manor
A magnificent home is only the beginning of this elegant, much- loved property, writes Louise Richardson
Liz Montgomerie’s elegant home has more than just a gentle whiff of magnificent and long- established English country manor about it. What makes this especially surprising, however, is the fact that the spectacular dwelling is only about 40 years old. Liz and her late husband Ian bought the house about 26 years ago when their family was still young and she explains that within a long process they changed the place completely — while always keeping a very classic and traditional style in mind.
It sits proudly on a 12ha estate among rolling farmland with glorious unfettered sea views, next to the Formosa Golf Club. You already sense that this property is going to be something special when you drive down the long, picturesque driveway.
Drawing closer to the house you’ll first see the attractive garden with its neatly trimmed box hedges, bay trees and a distinctly Italianate flavour to the plantings. Liz has created this herself and it’s been a long but pleasurable labour of love, she says.
Beyond the guest parking is a triple garage and a courtyard through which you walk to the front door.
On the ground floor is the billiard room, the formal lounge, which segues into a conservatory from where the vista is breath- taking, and the library, or home office, a handsome space with tasteful decor and a fireplace for winter comfort. Also down here is a climate- controlled wine cellar, laundry, hot cupboard for drying washing and the enormous exceptionally well- appointed kitchen, which is a cook’s and entertainer’s dream- cometrue.
“I can have everyone gathered around me in here and believe me, we’ve had some wonderful, happy occasions,” Liz says.
Adjacent is the dining space and informal living area. Both are extremely spacious and everything opens to the extensive patio outside and has views of the tennis court.
9
680 WHITFORD MARAETAI RD, WHITFORD SIZE ( approx): PRICE GUIDE: TENDER DATE: INSPECT:
6
SCHOOLS: CONTACT: ON THE WEB:
Upstairs, the bedrooms are all generous and the master suite is especially so. Her daughters tease her that it’s the size of a complete, modern apartment with a private balcony, a walk- through wardrobe with loads of compartments and drawers, a bathroom and a gym where Liz likes to watch the horses grazing in the fields outside as she does her exercise.
Also on this floor is the walk- in linen cupboard and the attic, again far bigger than you would ever imagine. It’s easily accessed and provides all the storage space possibly required for suitcases, paperwork, Christmas decorations and the like, but could also be used as another bedroom.
And this 800sq m house doesn’t stop here, because there’s also a guest pavilion, complete with kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and a fantastic conservatory with panoramic views to places as far away as the Coromandel.
“For big functions, you can set the caterers up out here and keep the main part of the house free for mixing and mingling,” says Liz.
She has found the location extremely handy over the years and as Auckland spreads out further, new amenities such as supermarkets are popping up nearby.
Liz is rightly very proud of the house, with its high- quality materials — including copper roofing and the many features such as the central vacuum system, which takes the effort out of housework.
With grandchildren at both ends of the North Island, she’s decided that it’s time for a change of scenery and some flexibility so she can travel whenever she wants to.
She imagines that the new owners of the Montgomerie Estate could be horse- lovers, golfing fans or a young family. There’s potential for a boutique tourist lodge and, in addition, the estate also includes another, smaller, four- bedroom house and various sheds as well.