Hamptons hedonism Live the American dream

CREATING a dream home to accommodate a busy family of seven is no easy feat, but the McCarthys managed just that.

Their Benowa Waters mansion has a long list of luxury inclusions, such as a 2500-bottle wine cellar and adjoining waterfront tasting room for the adults.

And for the kids, the pool and tennis court were a hit.

Owners Pat and Penelope McCarthy built the lavish property at 64-66 Charolais Cres 14 years ago.

“It was our dream home,” Mr McCarthy said.

“We had five children ranging from five to 21 at the time and lived in Benowa Waters but were looking for a much bigger home to suit a growing family.

“At the house, everyone has their own space to go and chill out, watch TV, play games, play outside, but there are also lots of communal family areas for us all to be together.”

The expat Americans designed the luxury coastal house to have a Hamptons feel.

“We are both from the Hamptons and brought a lot of that feel with us. We wanted the look and feel of the places we grew up,” he said.

“It has a beautiful coastal feel and is a modern house for a large family that enjoys the waterfront lifestyle.”

Mr McCarthy said tennis lessons had been a Saturday morning ritual, with a coach hosting lessons for the whole neighbourhood on their family’s court.

“We also started the Halloween craze in Benowa Waters,” he said.

With only two kids left at home, they decided it was now time for the family to downsize and are on the hunt for their next dream home.

The six-bedroom house sits on a 2015sq m lot and offers 60m of waterfrontage, with a pontoon that can hold a 20m vessel. There is a private sandy beach, a boat shed and numerous indoor and outdoor living and entertaining zones.

Ray White Broadbeach duo Sam Guo and Julia Kuo are marketing the property, with the expressions of interest campaign closing on March 18.