When living luxuriously includes going underground
Luxury living has gone underground as subterranean spaces open up new practical and lifestyle options.
A prime example is this week’s Yarralumla feature property, which sits above a basement space packed with extras.
“It can park 10 vehicles, but there’s also a wine cellar and a home theatre – spaces like this maximise the lifestyle offerings,” says Mario Sanfrancesco of Blackshaw Manuka.
“Not too many people have that many cars, but there’s no shortage of ideas with what you can do with extra space.”
Sanfrancesco says storage is always important, but home owners are only limited by their imagination.
“I’ve seen theatres, gyms, dance studios, golf simulators, indoor cricket and bowling alleys,” he says.
“The basement is the perfect setting to build in extra luxuries that complement the home above.”
Terry Ring of Architects Ring Associates says the basement trend is also driven by land value and contemporary constraints on plot ratio and minimum green spaces.
“A basement helps maximise a build,” Ring says. “If a garage is built below rather than alongside, then there’s more width for the home’s living area.
“Basements are reasonably economical, providing you don’t run into rock or other obstacles.”
Ring says imagination can be given full rein in bigger basement spaces, going beyond vehicle parking and storage.
“One former client was building a home in Griffith with a basement for multiple vehicles,” he says.
“He didn’t need it for parking, but he needed a big space for a workshop where he made bespoke furniture.”
Feature property
Yarralumla
5 MacGillivray Street
This exceptional Yarralumla home would be right at home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney with a design, floor plan and a list of inclusions that leave no doubt about its quality.
The two-storey residence with a – wait for it – 10-car basement garage sits on a block of almost 900 square metres, set squarely behind formal gardens.
Inside, the layout unfolds on Vratza Bulgarian limestone floors and the living level is devoted to shared spaces and the minor bedrooms.
There’s a private lounge off the entry, a study opposite and a formal dining room. The kitchen, family and dining room have stunning views of a sparkling pool and other outdoor entertaining options.
The kitchen impresses with custom polyurethane cabinetry and American walnut veneer, stainless-steel benches, a marble island, Miele appliances and a walk-in pantry.
The bedrooms are located beyond the hub, and the guest room has its own walk-through wardrobe and en suite.
Parents will appreciate an upper-level retreat with a bespoke dressing room and an opulent en suite with a spa bath. They will also enjoy a private, peaceful terrace and a bonus loft that offers further options.
Outside entertaining continues the luxury with terraced decking, a covered patio and a superbly equipped kitchen servicing the pool and spa terrace.
The basement space also offers a 480-bottle insulated wine cellar, a fully equipped home theatre, plenty of storage, a workbench and a powder room.
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