Prestige living in the heights of Bowral

Bowral is undoubtedly the jewel of the Southern Highlands, but even within this sought-after location there are addresses that add to the prestige.

Merilbah Road is one such dress circle location where one grand residence enjoys a superb elevated position overlooking the township.

Menabillie Manor was designed by renowned architect Aaron Bolot in 1951 with the build completed seven years later.

The residence originally sat on about 40 hectares before the property was subdivided in the 1990s. The five-bedroom home now has a still-substantial 5646 square metres of beautifully landscaped grounds.

Homeowner John Williams, an academic, says it wasn’t the architecture that originally drew him and wife Susy to the house, which hosts more than 800 square metres of rooms under its extensive roofline.

“I actually needed a place that was big enough to take my library of some 7000-8000 books,” he says.

“The home was perfect – we actually got lost within it on our first night.”

John and Susy later embarked on an extensive refresh of the interiors that updated comfort and quality levels.

“We didn’t touch the original architecture – that had been well thought through and was still performing as Bolot had planned,” John says.

The visitor arrives at the commanding front entrance via a circular driveway that seems just right for a country manor.

Formal and informal living areas have soaring three-metre-high ceilings and big-picture double-glazed windows that maximise the views and lead onto glass-balustraded balconies.

A wide central hall connects to the generous bedrooms, three with en suites.

Downstairs houses a billiards room and library, a wine cellar, kitchenette, huge laundry, storerooms and a double garage with internal access.

Gas central heating and reverse-cycle air-conditioning feature throughout the house and a 56-panel solar array delivers reduced power bills.

John says he and Susy have never tired of Bolot’s clever design – a building that follows the sun.

“It’s really designed to take advantage of its elevated position overlooking the township and to ensure the passage of the sun lights up the home and provides enjoyment from a number of balcony spaces,” he says.

Ken Heikkenin of McKillop Property says Menabillie Manor is an example of the type of prestige property that sets the Southern Highlands apart.

“This is a very special property – thoughtful architecture, immaculate grounds and a breathtaking elevated position overlooking Bowral,” he says.

BOWRAL

3 Merilbah Road

$2.395 million

5 bed 5 bath 2 parking

AGENTS: McKillop Property, Ken & Kylie Heikkinen, 0433 440 349 & 0405 823 929