23 Sullivan Road, Horsham Downs, Hamilton, Waikato

Set on a 1.5999 hectare lifestyle block in Horsham Downs, bordering the Waikato River and with river path access from the end of the road, this exceptional 545sqm residence was architecturally designed by Renee Woods, built by Design Builders, completed in 2020 and recognised at the 2021 Registered Master Builders House of the Year with a Waikato Regional Gold Award and the Environmental & Sustainable Excellence Award. It is one of the most comprehensively appointed lifestyle properties to come to market in the Waikato.

The brief was clearly ambitious: turfed tennis court with basketball hoops, heated salt-water swimming pool, spa pool, gymnasium, wine cellar and a kitchen centred around a 4.3 metre polished granite island bench. It has all been delivered, and then some. At the heart of the home, the open-plan kitchen, dining and living zone is anchored by that remarkable island, the natural gathering point for a family that knows how to use a kitchen. A walk-in scullery keeps the main space composed, while a 2.6 metre – 3.6m stud height creates a genuine sense of openness and light. Glass doors connect directly to an outdoor living room complete with a woodburner fireplace and indoor/outdoor speakers, a space that fully encloses for year-round use, extending the entertaining well beyond the warmer months. Natural bluestone cladding is used throughout, drawing the interior and exterior into one cohesive whole, while a considered, soft colour palette inside provides the perfect backdrop for the original artwork of one of the homeowners.

Five sunny bedrooms are arranged across two wings, each served by its own dedicated ducted heat pump system, with the master and guest wing separated from the children's bedrooms for practical everyday living. Two ensuites and three bathrooms in total serve the household, alongside a dedicated office with built-in desk.

The home is genuinely smart. A Control4 system connects to a wide range of features throughout, all blinds are electric, and 24 solar panels feed into a Tesla 14kW battery, with performance monitored and managed via app. Electric underfloor heating covers the entire home, the garage being the only exception. Security cameras and electric gates provide peace of mind, while a four-car garage with an insulated, carpeted door and an additional powered shed cater well for vehicles, equipment and projects. Water self-sufficiency is well considered, with two 25,000 litre tanks, a filtration system and trickle feed in place. An irrigation system services the upper lawn, and the Hydrozone Pureflow septic system has been serviced within the last 12 months.

The location adds a rare dimension with the Te Awa River trail, offering walking and cycling at your fingertips. With The Base just minutes away and the Waikato Expressway providing easy access north and south, the location balances lifestyle seclusion with everyday convenience.

A home of this calibre, on a section of this scale, in a location this private, rarely presents itself.