| 14 Stevensons Crescent, Albany | Agent: Kris Cunningham |

By Amy Houlihan.

Presiding over dazzling bush and valley views and enjoying a wonderful sense of peace and privacy, 14 Stevensons Crescent is part of Albany’s remarkable Hidden Valley Estate. The beauty of the location is that although it looks and feels like a secluded hideaway, Albany mall is just a six-minute drive from home. The exceptional residence, crafted two-and-a-half years ago, is befitting of the special site and was designed and built to an exemplary standard of exacting specifications.

The owners had a very clear vision for what they wanted to achieve and worked with architect Jason Bailey to make their dream a reality. The home is spread over one level for easy living, with prolific use of glass to enhance the seamless visual connection to the landscape. The construction materials utilised also ensure strength, optimum performance and comfort within the home – vertical cedar, concrete block, abundant insulation, LED lighting, thermal grade aluminium and double-glazed, Argon-filled, Eco-Glass.

While the property spans five acres, the majority of it is native bush, which requires little maintenance. It’s accessed via a long driveway, which arrives at the vast, perfectly level platform of lawns and gardens that frame the residence. There’s space to park multiple cars in the large turning bay, along with a carpeted, internal double garage. Through the striking red front door, clerestory windows and a soaring stud height create the illusion of a floating roof in the foyer, while the wall of glass straight ahead celebrates the lush green outlook.

A voluminous, pavilion-style room houses the open-plan kitchen, living and dining. Walls of glass sliders and electronic windows can be opened up for airflow, while the wood burner fireplace and heat pump create warm winter ambiance. Polished concrete floors have zoned underfloor heating and perfectly complement the white, black and timber colour palette utilised throughout. The kitchen has generous workspaces and a scullery, as well as a unique, bespoke splashback featuring a snapshot of Rangitoto Island. A cantilevered roof canopy creates an enclosed courtyard for all-season alfresco living and entertaining alongside the main living zone.

Award-winning landscape designer Cilla Cooper created the look of the gardens, with low maintenance care a major part of the brief. Feature palms and plantings are magically uplit at night, along with the steps that lead down to the lawns from the decks, which wrap around the entire house.

There’s a powder room and library down the hall, before opening into the spacious, luxurious, master retreat. It has a large dressing room and bathroom with walk-in shower, stand-alone bath, floor-to-ceiling tiles and a door out to the spa pool. On the other side of the foyer, the family/ guest wing has two bedrooms serviced by a large bathroom – with the whole area able to be closed off via cavity slider.

Every element of hard work has already been done, both inside and out, to create this spectacular property. It relishes the peace, privacy and natural beauty of secluded living, just moments away from bustling Albany and motorway onramps.