Living in a French style castle may seem like just a dream to many, especially if you want to be in Australia too. But this truly unique hilltop home can be yours in Ocean View, QLD.
La Tour Tzani enjoys spectacular views of the Glasshouse mountains and Sunshine Coast. With original tapestries, vaulted ceilings, Juliet balconies and handmade stained glasses windows, the tower and gite barn style buildings exude a genuinely old French feel.
Based on the Martello Towers on the island of Jersey and blended with the architectural elegance of Breton and Normandy, La Tour Tzani was designed and built by the current owners in 2009 to reflect their own heritage and love of old French style. The result is a faithful interpretation both inside and out with authentic pieces such as the imposing tapestry brought back from Mont St-Michel.
Gathered around the tall, central stone tower, the main living space features a 20-foot-high ceiling, travertine stone floor and imposing open fireplace. Your eyes will be drawn inevitably upwards however in admiration of the two beautiful handmade stained-glass Oeil-de-boeuf windows and huge tapestry depicting the city of Brussels in the 1400s.
Adjoining this impressive space is the kitchen, again with vast proportions. With ample bench space, a range oven, and plenty of storage, even the walk-in pantry is perfectly finished off by a door closer that pays homage to the property’s ethos.
The journey through the tower itself begins in the drawing room. Seven metres in diameter, with a slate floor and fireplace, the space includes a carefully disguised office area. This clever planning in the design is evident throughout making this not only a stunning property but a comfortable and practical home.
Eighteen steps up a spiralling staircase leads you to the first floor containing the two main bedrooms and separate linen press. The Master bedroom is an impressive mezzanine space overlooking the main living area and providing another view of its spectacular features. The walk-in robe is huge, the en-suite is a triumph in period design blended with modern living and the private deck overlooking the valley completes the lavish feel.
Across the hallway, the Blue Room is an equally gorgeous bedroom complete with its own Juliet balcony, another perfectly equipped en-suite and imposing tapestry.
It is a further 20 steps to the top floor of the tower with stressed blackbutt flooring and vaulted ceiling. Currently used as a sitting room, the forethought of the design will allow simply installation of an en-suite and conversion into an additional bedroom.
Completing this section of the residence is a huge laundry, multiple large storage cupboards, and a salle d’eau. There is ducted air conditioning in selected areas as well as fully wired sound system and security camera system.
Leading out from the main living area, a stunning timber deck with alfresco bi-folding doors reveals the resort style pool and hinterland views framed by the ten-acre property.
On the other side of the tower, one finds themselves in the main courtyard. This whimsical space provides a connection to the first of two gite barn styled buildings and invites you to linger and enjoy the small moat, folly built into the bank and Juliet balcony.
Both the period barn style buildings currently house fully self-contained one bedroom apartments and 16mX9m garage spaces allowing for an almost limitless amount of uses with or without internal reconfiguration.
The exterior of the home continues the French feel with carefully chosen shrubs and trees, rolling green lawns and informal chateau garden complete with waterfall and woodfired pizza oven before finally leading out into the ten acres surrounding the home which is divided into four paddocks with laneway, yard and dams.
The property has four bedrooms and four bathrooms and is for sale through Ray White.
