Lights, camera selling action from director

‘Serenity and peace’ take lead roles in architectural award-winning home

Astunning lifestyle is there for the taking as the multi-award winning Trial Bay House waits to give a new owner years of enjoyment. Highly regarded locally, nationally and internationally, the landmark Kettering property stormed to prominence in 2010 when it took out the Robyn Boyd Award – the most prestigious honour in Australian residential architecture.

Judges at the time reported that the rebadging of the property, undertaken by James Jones of HBV Architects, was “carefully detailed with a structure of surprising softness and delicacy and was immaculate”.

Long-time owners Michael Jenkins – a renowned producer, writer and director of hit television series among other programs – and partner Amanda Robson have loved their Tasmanian treasure but have returned to Sydney for family reasons.

Amanda said the family’s 20-year-plus life at Trial Bay, about 30 minutes from Hobart, had been full of joy and happiness.

“The overwhelming sense we enjoyed about living in a house with such flow, room to room, inside to outside, near views to far views, is one of serenity and peace,’’ Ms Robson said.

“Serenity is a word many different people have used when they’ve had a chance to spend some time there.

“We have been incredibly lucky to have had so many years there and over the years my children enjoyed the proximity to the walks. So many people have written and talked about our property – architecture writer Stephen Crafti wrote a lovely letter to us saying he was totally moved by our extraordinary home – one of the best homes and gardens he had seen in his 30 years of writing.

“It was always a joy to have lived in this incredible position and even outside the garden was a great source of joy. After the architecture award the house was always talked about and to us was the most beautiful house to live in.

“The entire lifestyle is magic. Anywhere you live where you can see the changing water is magic. There is always plenty of things to keep you occupied. You can do as much or less as you want to.’’

The original 17ha waterside dwelling, built in the 1970s, has had only two sets of owners.

One of the home’s many highlights came courtesy of the work undertaken by architect Jones, the Channel Room (designed similar to a film camera as a nod to its TV producer owner), which is encased in natural light against heavy materials.

Despite expansive upgrades to the home, the original timber ceilings and external lines were all kept.

The Channel Room also highlights exquisite views of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island.

The home’s second wing consists of two bedrooms, a laundry and a garage, while the main residence houses a fully self-contained guesthouse with a private balcony, kitchen, living room and bedroom.

A stable, assorted storage sheds and stunning vegetable garden dominate outside activities.

The property also is suitable to run stock including horses, cattle, sheep and alpacas, or the land could be maintained as a naturere-wilding project.

First National Real Estate Kingston agent Helen Lehane, an award-winning agent taking the reins to help sell Trial Bay House, said there had been strong interest in the property on a local, national and international level.

“Most of the interest has been from those with an emotional connection to this amazing region, already with one currently international buyer having originally grown up in the area,’’ Ms Lehane said.

“The property offers a lifestyle like no other. The home itself is incredibly spacious with stunning architecture and jawdropping views from almost every window.

“The cottage allows additional family

KETTERING 3101 CHANNEL HIGHWAY

Price: $7.9 million Land size: 17.03ha Agent: First National Real Estate, Kingston, Helen Lehane, 0400 339 054 Property ID: 143838656

accommodation or the perfect spot for an onsite manager and the land is large enough to provide complete privacy but would also suit many uses with extensive infrastructure already in place.

“So much thought and planning has gone into the landscaping and planting of the grounds, which makes it practical, usable, and beautiful all at once.

“Inspections are by appointment only and it is really a place you need to take the time to absorb properly.

“One inspection this week went for approximately two hours, and the family ended up all sitting at the picnic table on the front lawn, just watching the boats go by and enjoying the serenity.

“Another buyer who came through described it as simply spectacular.’’