A Slice Of Italy’s Lake Como In The Heart Of Heavenly Bowral

A luxurious country estate fit for royalty in the heart of Bowral, in NSW’s Southern Highlands

The sprawling six bedroom, seven and a half bathroom, Italian-inspired nirvana, aptly named ‘Bellagio’ is the recipient of the highly coveted MBA excellence in housing award in the highest category of “Design and Construction” boasting an internal lift, two kitchens, library, sun room, rumpus room, wine cellar and undercover car parking for five cars.

Every detail of this magnificent, bespoke estate has been lovingly considered and designed with thought and care, by owner Roy Alvaro for his wife Wendy and their family.

Roy emigrated from Milan, Italy in 1958 and spent the next 50 years building up a family business specialising in luxury residential construction, making Alvaro Homes synonymous with highly sought after and prestigious new builds, with an undisputed reputation for top-quality workmanship across Sydney and the Southern Highlands.

Now retired from the family business, Roy built the award-winning Bellagio for his family in 2008 after inspiration by a trip to Lake Como with his wife Wendy.

Set on five acres of established gardens with 1,500sqm under roof, the stunning residence has every possible extra you could need in a private country estate, from its personally selected Italian marble, 250 sqm of individually cut American oak parquetry floors and west red cedar exposed beams, to the restored, pure white sandstone that adorns the cellar, which took six months to acquire ensuring every slab perfectly mirrored its counterparts and the grand 8 x 8 metre entry foyer.

The formal dining room has a domed-hand painted ceiling to recreate the open air and the living room cornices were created from old French molds. The casual lounge room fireplace was designed and constructed and imported from France.

There is a honed marble commercial-grade kitchen and separate caterer’s kitchen, plus guest or staff accommodation and an internal lift for ease of access between floors. Underfloor heating spans the kitchen, breakfast room, family room, mud room and all bathrooms.

The expansive Master bedroom/sitting room’s main light fittings are cut from amber stone and imported from Italy and unique Lyrebird cornices and ceilings grace the master sitting room, with glorious views across the sprawling gardens.

A popular stop on open garden weekends, the estate features glorious gardens developed over the course of more than 20 years with highlights including a pair of interconnected lakes, a series of waterfalls and lavish planting creating beautiful glades leading down to the lawns and terraces around the house with tasteful statues and fountains featuring along the way, all of which were either imported from France or Italy and subtly compliment the grandeur that is the essence of ‘Bellagio’. It even has a stunning grotto with a statue of King Neptune gazing over the pond.

The secret garden reflection pool has still water ponds with water flowing underneath for the meditation sound of gently flowing ambience.

“This is one of the most special homes to be marketed in the Southern Highlands region and is an outstanding opportunity for the most discerning and private buyer to secure” said Deborah Cullen, Director of Lifestyle Estates at Colliers International.

“Roy has spared no expense and nothing has been designed by accident. There is even a visual axis which runs through the residence starting at a single tree in the front garden, through the front door, to the lounge room, down past the back gate, across the lake and resting at a stone bench under a magnificent wisteria” she said.

For sale through Deborah Cullen and Richard Sholl of Colliers International by Expressions of Interest, closing Thursday 11 August 2016. Viewing strictly by appointment. A detailed information package is available on request.