18 Tennyson Crescent, Forrest, ACT 2603

Originally built for one of the nation's earliest diplomats and then the home to the British High Commissioner, this majestic family residence rests on an ornately gated 2474sqm lot within glorious designer gardens, and brims with timeless character and elegance reminiscent of the grand estates of the Southern Highlands.

Behind the home's magnificent Art Deco fa?ade is an array of sensitively renovated and extended rooms that blend period features including sash windows, picture rails and original wood fireplaces with more recently laid Jarrah hardwood flooring, bespoke joinery and clerestory windows in vaulted ceilings.

Living areas are designed with the transcendent gardens as the focal point. The cocooning library and adjoining sunken loungeroom with wood fireplace offer a perfectly framed outlook through French doors to an alfresco area and a charming rotunda at the rear.

The chic all-white kitchen and open meals area have a double aspect view from the perfectly proportioned front parterre garden to the divine expansive grounds where grand stairs lead down from a sunny patio with Nimmitabel blue stone walls meandering down to the gorgeous pool terrace ? the scene of everything from sophisticated soirees to teenage parties. Tucked to one side is an enormous pool house - currently in use as a gymnasium - and serviced by an ensuite, six-person sauna and kitchenette.

Soaring green views are also seen through a palladium window from the main home's lofted second living area and entertainer's balcony, and from the Juliette balcony leading from the owners' glamorous ensuite bathroom. The attached king-sized retreat benefits from beautiful garden aspects, with direct access to the sunny rear patio. Two walk-in wardrobes in this suite provide excellent storage.

Three additional serene bedrooms are serviced by a contemporary family bathroom, and an expansive downstairs rumpus or media room has sufficient space to keep the kids entertained, offering them direct access to the outdoors.

Brilliantly positioned in one of Canberra's most exclusive and peaceful inner-south precincts, this outstanding residence is just a short stroll from both Grammar schools, Red Hill Nature Reserve, the upmarket Deakin and Manuka dining and shopping precincts, National Triangle and Lake Burley Griffin. It's just a short drive to the Canberra Central Business District and to the Canberra Airport.

Features:

? Positioned within one of Canberra's most exclusive inner south precincts

? Magnificent property resting on beautiful estate-like grounds

? Custom wrought iron automated entry gates

? Established privacy hedging

? Exquisite Ian Menzies-designed gardens created by Scenic Living

? Substantial sized pool (12.5m) with new solar heating surrounded by inviting pool deck

? High ceilings

? Period features such as fluted interior French doors, custom cabinetry, picture rails

? Formal dining with wood fireplace

? Library with wood fireplace

? Formal lounge with wood fireplace

? Sleek kitchen with tray ceiling, quality Miele appliance package including integrated oven and combo oven/microwave, coffee maker, and dishwasher, steam oven, utility cupboard, 60mm stone benchtops, discrete hot water system

? Tasteful bathrooms plus powder room

? Rainfall shower and floating vanity to main ensuite with French doors overlooking balcony to gardens

? Built-in wardrobes to bedrooms two and three

? Bedroom four with two built-in wardrobes and additional custom cabinetry including study nook

? Large laundry with external access

? Electric heat pump cooling and zoned heating system

? Underfloor heating to bathrooms and rumpus

? New insulation throughout

? Plantation shutters

. Quality linen curtains by Designer, 'Inside Story'

? Designer lighting ? by Designer at 'Inside Story'

? New quality carpets

? Elegant rotunda at the rear

? Pool house with gymnasium, sauna, ensuite bathroom + kitchenette

. Premium quality Nimmitabel blue stone used extensively for garden walls and Corten steel edging - including the vegetable gardens

? Beautifully maintained premium walk in chicken coop at the rear

. Gourmet vegetable gardens

? Wired for CCTV

. Wired with wi-fi access points, providing seamless internet access throughout the house and pool area

. Whole of house water filtration system

? Automated double garage with internal entry and roller door to back yard

? Under-stair storage

. Storage room under house - includes a large bank of industrial cabinetry for garden materials and power tools etc

? Automated irrigation system

? Security and smoke detection system - Back to Base