373 Benowa Road will go to auction April 6. Pic: Supplied
WHAT was once a dated '80s prize home has been transformed into a modern waterfront resort-style pad encompassing massive entertaining areas and room for a growing family.
Harvie and Kristy Mehrtens bought the property on Benowa's Lake Capabella for $661,000 in June 2007 and set about a $500,000 renovation transforming the original three-bedroom, two-bathroom, steel-framed house into a modern five-bedroom residence with a home theatre and a study.
"It was originally about 20 squares and it is now 55 squares,'' Mrs Mehrtens said.
"Modern resort-style living was the inspiration. We love five-star resort beach house holidays.
"Once you close the door it is like an oasis. It's beautiful and quiet living on the lake ... no jet skis zooming past at 5am on a Sunday morning to wake you up.''
Mr Mehrtens said Lake Capabella was one of only a few private lakes on the Gold Coast and the wide water views were one of the reasons the couple chose to buy there.
"When we redesigned the house we did it with kids in mind,'' he said.
"We have two boys - a three-year-old and an 18-month-old. We wanted a play area for them outside but there's also a kids' room next door to the home theatre. We put a glass wall in between the two so we can keep an eye on them.
"Every room in the house has been altered to our lifestyle. It's a family dream home. We are going to do it again using the same design, only bigger, and add a basement.''
Mrs Mehrtens said as the couple loved to entertain they designed a large lounge and entertainment area that flowed to the outdoors and was the location of many parties with upwards of 80 guests.
The house has plenty of street presence thanks to the pop-ups the couple added for extra ventilation.
Timber decking leads to the entry where water trickles over a stone feature wall and sandstone-lookalike porcelain tiles flow. A glass and timber front door opens to a foyer above which timber louvres capture the southerly breezes.
The open-plan living area ensures those wide water views are immediately visible. Timber and glass bifolds create a flow between the inside and out where the 11m pool adds to the resort feel. Steps flow down through the manicured, terraced grounds to a flat lawn and play area, as well as a timber deck for soaking in the scene.
Below is a 1m wide platform along the water's edge, the site of a fishing nook where Mrs Mehrtens' father catches flathead, whiting, tailor, black trevally and bream.
Further along is a lifting device allowing the Mehrtens to put their four-seater paddle boat in the water.
Back inside, a powder room services the living areas and adjoins the office opposite the lacquered kitchen which has granite benchtops, a five-burner gas cooker and European appliances. Further along is the playroom, which could be converted back into a fifth bedroom, and the tiered home theatre.
Merbau timber stairs with frameless glass rise to a landing off which is the fourth bedroom, once the master. The main bathroom is next along and has a frameless glass shower, Caesarstone benchtops and a spa bath.
The water-facing boys' rooms share a small enclosed balcony, with timber shutters, which is used as a reading room or play area.
The parents' retreat, which stretches right through from the front to the rear of the house, is at the end of the corridor.
"The main bedroom is one of our favourite parts of the house,'' Mrs Mehrtens said. "It's like a luxurious sanctuary. It's enormous. Our oversized king bed is dwarfed in it. The double walk-in robe is 7m long.''
The ensuite is equally impressive with a spa bath and a double shower with rainheads.
Floor-to-ceiling glass louvres in the bedroom open to reveal the water views and ensure air flow.
Tropical low-maintenance gardens surround the property and there is room for an 8m caravan down the side of the house.
DETAILS
Address: 373 Benowa Rd
Agent: Sam Guo and Julia Kuo, Ray White Broadbeach
Features: Waterfront, pool, airconditioning, study, home theatre, Bose speakers, security, CCTV, laundry chute
Land size: 785sqm
Auction: April 6, on site, 10.30am
Inspections: Saturday-Sunday, 11-11.30am
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