Every week here at On The Market, we feature homes of unparalleled quality, be they architectural achievements, estates of impossible size or those in truly remarkable locations. However, this week, 20 Belty Drive, Denver is here because of its exceptional gardens that were created by the property’s current owner and Australia’s preeminent garden designer, Paul Bangay.
If you’ve not come across Paul Bangay before, you’re missing out. The man is directly responsible for many of the best private gardens in Australia with works that span the gamut of smaller urban projects all the way up to palatial country estates. Perhaps one of the best examples of his approach to gardens and their design, however, is his own Stonefields home that has seen ongoing tending and care throughout the entire time he’s owned the property northwest of Melbourne.
Of all of the properties we’ve featured at On The Market, Stonefields is also the only one I can claim to have enjoyed lunch at, as a guest of Peroni during the Australian Open earlier this year. After witnessing the sprawling garden and stunning residence first-hand, I can confidently say that its next owner is in for an absolute treat, in a space that combines old-world grandeur with a distinctly Australian sense of countryside tranquillity.
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As you arrive at the 50-acre estate through the impressive entrance gatehouse, the driveway winds its way around the main residence and gardens, bringing you to a stop at the entrance to the grand two-level home. The residence at 20 Belty Drive, Denver holds four bedrooms, and three bathrooms and has space for two cars, with an enormous kitchen and dining space on the lower level; bedrooms and bathrooms are found up the staircase on the second storey.
The interior features finishings that you’d expect from such a carefully thought-through home, including an enormous central fireplace in the living room, custom bookcases built directly into the walls and twin antler chandeliers. The kitchen is equally reminiscent of a well-to-do European country home, with darkly stained timber benchtops, rustic cream ceramic tiling and premium appliances that combine to deliver a sense of cozy warmth.
Stepping through the living room to the rear of the residence, you’re greeted by a genuinely spectacular view out across the pool and gardens that cascade down in a style that is quintessential of Paul Bangay. From the bottom of the garden, you’ll find a path that takes you to a secluded grove of olive trees, which presents the perfect spot to enjoy a classic cocktail as the sun sets, or as an outdoor dining area when entertaining.
Paul Bangay’s Stonefields is a property whose scale and complexity really has to be seen in person to be properly understood, with a labyrinth of gardens surrounding the residence that contain everything from several large water features to a rose garden.
The home at 20 Belty Drive, Denver has recently been listed for sale by Forbes Global Properties and is currently seeking expressions of interest, with a price guide of between $8 million and $8.8 million.
