When the late European aristocrat fell in love with Australia he decided to build a retreat that could be a productive place to call home when visiting. Having interests in forestry and architecture he set out to find the perfect piece of land to create a lifestyle property and found it at Moy Pocket where the Mary River meanders in the back of the Noosa Hinterland. Chosen for it’s outlook and well established trees amongst native bushland, the 22 acre property runs along a single ridge down to the River with views across the Mountains in the distance. It was pretty much a blank canvas except for the original homestead built by the Pickering family in the 1890’s.
Since then the property has undergone major transformation by collaborating with renowned architect John Mainwearing to create an Italian Piazza feel while maintaining and enhancing the beautiful landscape. After giving the original homestead a major make over but still keeping the original homestead character, a wing was added and joined to the Queenslander via a covered breezeway. Both collaborators love of sailing is evident in the wing with curved lines and a clever use of timber and steel giving it an edgy industrial look yet retaining a warm and cosy feel.
Facing north the first floor kitchen/living room is ideal for warmth and natural light on winter days. It looks over the free form pool and the balcony on the other side up to Kenilworth bluff. The large granite island bench top provides a focal point for casual entertaining.
The 2 bedroom guest house offers a great place for friends, family or clients to stay with separate car access which gives them privacy yet still close enough to the main house to feel welcomed. Architectural contemporary design with a butterfly roof makes striking angles and maximises the light filtered through the nearby bunya trees making the guest house blend seamlessly into its natural surrounds.
The property also boasts an impressive workshop and free standing office/gallery which were designed to house the crc machinery to manufacture proto type furniture was also given the Mainwearing treatment. Expansive ceilings and the use of plenty of glass, steel, interesting curves and angles make it almost seem too good for industrial use, perhaps better suited to a writers retreat, wedding venue, education workshop or even a yoga studio. A 10m cellar and boosted 3 phase power combined with the large office mean that this area of the property has a variety of options for functionality. There is also a substantial retaining wall and concrete slab in place on the other side of the ridge overlooking the dam. The galvanised steel framework lies there ready to construct a planned split level garage/art gallery and currently houses a kiln for timber storage.
The current owner has committed to sell as it is now time to finalise her late husbands estate.
Call Jez McNamara to arrange your private inspection. 0427 270 280
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