Sydney's The Hunter BNQ28.4

THE HUNTER

LOCATION, LOCATION

You can have your dream home in the ideal setting with a knockdown-rebuild

PUTTING FAMILY FIRST

For young families the Hunter offers affordability, a sense of community and great schools

LOOK TO THE FUTURE

Increasing regional investment means more homes, more jobs

From our Platinum sponsor …

Despite a challenging few years, it seems that people, more than ever, are looking for thriving areas where community and family can create a backdrop for connected living and fulfilling lifestyles. The importance of home, liveability and community has never been so highly prioritised.

As movement out of metropolitan areas such as Sydney continues its upward trend, increasingly sought-after areas like the South Coast and Hunter regions are playing their role in making regional areas the place where people are looking to build their dream homes. The Hunter region itself is expected to see huge growth in the next

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Build Home

20 years or so, with young families drawn to the lifestyle and affordability it offers.

This internal migration has been to the benefit of many regional communities, that, as a result, are seeing increased gentrification and increased government investment. Some of the key areas of growth in NSW are the Hunter Valley, Central Coast, South Coast and Mid North Coast — all of which are within commuting distance back to Sydney for the occasional office day or to visit family and friends.

With new regional land developments opening, increased connectivity to its booming coastal CBD, the M1 motorway and the Hunter vineyards, it’s easy to see why buyers are attracted to the Hunter. Its short hour-and-a-half commute to Sydney is making it an ideal destination for people working from home or travelling regularly to the city. Display homes, like those at the newly-opened HomeWorld Thornton and

Hereford Hills in Lochinvar, are situated less than 30–40 minutes from Newcastle CBD.

As a Hunter-based business, the MJH Group is experiencing first-hand just how popular the area is, with a dominant proportion of our enquiries coming from the Hunter — and we’re proud to be part of that growth. This was acknowledged in the recent 2022 HIA Top 100 Report, which ranked the MJH Group as the largest builder in NSW for detached housing and the second largest in Australia.

Our McDonald Jones and MOJO Homes teams look forward to seeing you at our regional display homes and becoming part of your journey towards creating a beautiful home that you and your family will treasure for years to come.

Mark Vassallo, Sales Director, MJH Group, McDonald Jones & MOJO Homes

Editor Karen Booth Designer Martha Rubazewicz Advertising Content Manager Rosemary Wood 0404 306 050 Advertising Production Co-ordinator Shanya Peiris Advertising Art Director Martha Rubazewicz Associate Publisher Martin White Cover Image McDonald Jones

Chairman/CEO Prema Perera Publisher Janice Williams Chief Financial Officer Vicky Mahadeva

Associate Publisher Emma Perera Circulation Business Development Manager Mark McTaggart

Creative Director Kate Podger

Subscriptions and mail orders: 1300 303 414 Circulation enquiries to our Sydney head office: (02) 9805 0399

Printed by C & C Offset Printing Co Ltd, China, distributed by Gordon and Gotch. Phone: (02) 9282 8777. This magazine has content that is advertorial or promotional in nature. This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the publishers. The publishers believe all the information supplied in this book to be correct at the time of printing. They are not, however, in a position to make a guarantee to this effect and accept no liability in the event of any information proving inaccurate. Prices, addresses and phone numbers were, after investigation, and to the best of our knowledge and belief, up to date at the time of printing, but they may change in some cases. It is not possible for the publishers to ensure that advertisements that appear in this publication comply with the CompetitionandConsumerAct2010

(Cth)and the Australian Consumer Law. The responsibility must therefore be on the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisements for publication. While every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. This magazine is printed on paper which was produced in a mill that meets Environmental Management System ISO14001. Please pass on or recycle this magazine.

*Recommended retail price.

ISSN 1444-2434

Copyright © Universal Magazines MMXXIII

ACN 003 026 944 www.umco.com.au

We are a member of

Carrington Promenade from MOJO Homes.

feature | living in the hunter

This is the life!

Coast or country, urban centre or suburbia ... if you’re looking to build a new life for your family, the Hunter has it all

Words: Karen Booth

The Hunter Regional Plan 2036, a 20-year blueprint from the NSW Government for developing the area, is already paying dividends. The plan, which sets out the government’s strategy for making land-use planning decisions for the Hunter region, covers the 10 local government areas of the Greater Newcastle, Upper Hunter and the Port Stephens Mid Coast subregions. It aims to create flourishing urban, rural and coastal communities that offer greater choice of housing, more jobs, better public transport, more attractive urban centres and a “green grid” of biodiversity corridors as well as walking and cycling networks, which will link open spaces, natural areas and recreation facilities. Thanks to such government initiatives, and private investment in new estates and commercial enterprises, the Hunter is Australia’s leading regional economy, with baby boomers, young families and the work-from-home brigade lured by the lifestyle and ecomic benefits infrastructure improvements are bringing.

MORE HOMES, MORE JOBS

By 2036, nearly 130,000 more people are expected to be living in the Hunter, requiring an additional 70,000 new homes. Of course, these numbers may end up being greater given the significant post-pandemic rise in people wanting to relocate to the region. There is also expected to be an increase of more than 62,000 new jobs by then with the government planning to help businesses grow and increase investment in industry.

Encouraging small businesses, particularly in Newcastle City Centre and other strategic centres is considered a priority. One part of the plan, Newcastle Light Rail, is already complete. Extending 2.75km, the link connects Newcastle Interchange with Newcastle Beach, comprises six stops and provides a framework for the ongoing urban renewal of Newcastle’s city centre and waterfront.

More homes and a range of housing options, including freestanding homes, terraces and apartments, will be encouraged close to jobs, shops and public transport. Planning will focus on delivering land for housing quickly and cost-

Open spaces and a connection to nature is what draws many families to the region and estates such as Waterford Living. waterford.avid.com.au

effectively to establish new communities in the Maitland Corridor, Newcastle-Lake Macquarie Western Corridor and the emerging growth area around Cooranbong, Morisset and Wyee.

THE LIVING IS EASY

Year by year, the number of masterplanned estates is steadily growing and the range of options becoming more diverse.

Waterford Living in the heart of the Hunter Valley is one example. Surrounded by 74 hectares of green space, waterways and wetlands, beautifully designed and built homes create an ambience of casual elegance, while modern shopping and transport links, sports facilities, childcare facilities and quality schools — including Waterford’s St Bede’s Catholic College and St Aloysius Catholic Primary School — are all close at hand. In good news for residents, last year approval was given to build the new town centre, Chisholm Plaza. Huntlee is another example of a popular estate. With 7500 residential lots to be developed over the next 20 years, Huntlee will be comprised of four villages set around a town centre and will eventually be home to around 20,000 people.

Additionally, work has started at the Hunter Valley’s newest address, Hereford Hill. Created by developers, McCloy Group, the 25 hectare parcel of land off the New England Highway will provide 280 new home sites for more than 600 residents. The estate sits in a beautiful rural setting and will offer a full range of amenities, from a childcare centre to public parks. Hereford Hill is located at the entrance to the Lochinvar Urban Release Area, which has been identified as a major housing, transport and service centre in the Maitland Regional Strategy.

The Hunter is also home to a raft of quality volume home and custom builders and an ever-growing number of display villages, allowing you to see the type of home you could have and the calibre of builders servicing the area.

RENEWAL OF URBAN CENTRES

Greater Newcastle, often referred to as the heart of the Hunter, is made up of a variety of communities, has a strong economy and boasts a diverse range of economic and environmental assets.

Newcastle city is the hub and it has been undergoing an extended period of growth and renewal. This has ranged from the opening of the light rail to the restoration of the historic Newcastle Signal Box near the closed train station.

For those who are drawn to the buzz of a city, there have been new developments such as the Newcastle East End Stage 1, an urban renewal project which has turned the city centre into a thriving mixed-use hub. And as a sign of Newcastle’s continued regeneration, and the strong growth in new home builds throughout the region, last year Metricon opened a new interactive selections centre, Studio M, in Hamilton, one of Newcastle’s most cosmopolitan suburbs.

Maitland, in the Lower Hunter Valley, is another city centre that is growing apace. It received a major boost with the completion of the Maitland Riverlink and the redevelopment of Maitland No. 1 Sportsground. This project delivered a 1100-seat grandstand and

McDonald Jones is a locally-based builder renowned for its stunning designs such as the Saxonvale, shown here. mcdonaldjones.com.au

Winner of a landscape architecture award, Riverside Park in Singleton is just one of the numerous parks, play spaces and family amenities the Hunter has to offer.

Many families are choosing to build in the region, and not just for the lifestyle benefits. It’s because of the top-notch schools, such as St Pius X High School.

amenities building, landscaped forecourt and a refurbishment of the existing field. Last year, the Gillieston Heights Community Hub opened, further extending the facilities available to locals.

REGIONAL UPGRADES

In recent years there has been significant investment in either building new outdoor facilities or upgrading existing ones. This extends to parks and kids’play spaces, leisure zones and walking trails, civic buildings and public open spaces. Many of these projects have been award-winners.

The 2022 AILA NSW Regional Awards for the Hunter and Central Coast highlighted the diversity of projects and shone a light on the investment being made in NSW regional townships to celebrate their culture, heritage and natural beauty for the benefit of residents and domestic tourism.

One example is the Bridges Hill Park and Walking Trail for which Moir Landscape Architecture won a major award — the AILA NSW Regional Achievement Award for Hunter and Central Coast (2022). A previously underutilised space, Bridges Hill now serves as the premier civic park within Cessnock CBD and includes an inclusive playground, bike track, fitness facilities, walking trails and lookout. By recognising the site’s potential as the main park and a key linkage point, Bridges Hill positively contributes to the vibrancy, sustainability and liveability of Cessnock.

Moir Landscape Architecture was also involved on a pro-bono basis to support Carrington Community Council to design and deliver a variety of improvements to the Carrington Foreshore.

HEALTH AND EDUCATION

If moving to a regional location, young families want to build in areas with good schools and in this regard the Hunter is well served. There are quality public and private schools and more to come as the population increases and more masterplanned estates begin to take form. In addition, existing schools are constantly upgrading and expanding their facilities.

Higher learning is also well catered for with the University of Newcastle. In recent years it opened NeW Space, a campus in Newcastle CBD. This $95 million, award-winning 10-level campus is home to the university’s Conservatorium of Music and its Concert Hall which is a performance venue for local, interstate and international artists. The student art gallery, Watt Space Gallery, is located across the road in the refurbished Northumberland House, making the area a creative hub. The campus is also home to Newcastle Legal Centre and Newcastle Graduate School of Business.

New medical facilities are also being built; others are being upgraded. Last year, the $470 million new Maitland Hospital opened its doors, delivering the latest treatment and diagnostic services, including some that weren’t previously available.

This hospital sets a new standard for healthcare in the region, featuring more beds and treatment spaces, increased maternity services and a sensory room for mental health patients — a first of its kind in NSW.

It also has a dedicated oncology treatment centre, including chemotherapy and immune therapies, and a rooftop helipad to facilitate faster transfers for critical patients.

The Hunter allows you to live it large with an acreage home offering an easy indoor-outdoor flow. Shown here, the Hermitage Grande. mcdonaldjones.com.au

FOR THE FAMILY

Having places to play, exercise, indulge in a little adventure — or simply enjoy time outdoors with the family — is a priority for those who choose regional living. The Hunter has something for everyone, from nature lovers to the sportsminded. The options are diverse, ranging from The Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin to the Regatta Foreshore Walk at Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Valley Wildlife Park.

Then there are the kids’ parks such as the award-winning Highbrook Park Playground in Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter and the Riverside Park in Singleton. Riverside Park has been a hit with children of all ages with its adventure playground offering towers, slides and a splash pad.

There’s also arts and culture-based activities to engage all ages. In 2022, the New Annual festival returned, bringing 10 days of art and culture into the centre of Newcastle. The goal? To put Newcastle on the radar nationally and internationally, as a creative city where contemporary art and culture thrive. So, as you can see, if you’re looking for a great sense of community, a better lifestyle and easy access to everything from parks to great schools, the Hunter has you covered.

HUNTER PARK PROPOSAL

Funding has been granted for an urban renewal proposal that would transform 63 hectares surrounding McDonald Jones Stadium, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Newcastle Showground, into a world-class lifestyle precinct.

The NSW Government has allocated $6.7 million to prepare a full business case for the Hunter Park project. The goal of this project is to create a thriving entertainment, sporting, commercial and residential destination of national and international significance.

City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said this would be a truly transformative project for Newcastle and the Hunter region that would deliver on a key element in the NSW Government’s Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036.

“Hunter Park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create 8000 jobs during construction, with more than 1000 ongoing following its completion. In turn, transforming a much-loved but aging and underutilised space into a contemporary mixed-used precinct located at the geographical heart of Newcastle at Broadmeadow, just five kilometres from the Newcastle CBD,” said Cr Nelmes.

“A key benefit for the region of Hunter Park is jobs. Once complete, the project would support new jobs in sporting and entertainment related industries, including medical, educational, tourism and retailing as part of a new health and education and innovation ecosystem.

“It is a significant urban regeneration proposal, the size and scale of which has never been seen outside of Sydney, incorporating 50 hectares of public open and green spaces, state-of-the-art sporting facilities, leisure and entertainment zones, 13,000sqm of commercial space and more than 2600 new homes, including social and affordable housing.”

In 2022, the new Maitland Hospital opened, bringing first-class healthcare to the doorstep of those living in the Hunter Valley.

Responding to increased demand, a new design selections centre, Studio M, opened last year in Newcastle. metricon.com.au

A proposal is being prepared to make the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle the hub of a new, world-class lifestyle precinct.

feature | hunter housing awards

Local legends

Every year, the HIA – CSR Hunter Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards showcase the expertise of the region’s leading builders and designers. This allows HIA members to receive recognition and present their work to the community. The awards cover the gamut of residential building, from display homes and custom residences to renovations and outdoor projects. The winners of the 2022 awards exemplified the highest level of craftsmanship and showed the calibre of work you can expect from regional builders. Here we shine a spotlight on just some of the winning projects. To see all winners, visit hia.com.au/ awards-and-events/awards/hunter/award-winners-2022

Home of the Year + Custom Built Home + Bathroom of the Year: Greenbuild Constructions.

Display Home $400,001$430,000: Coral Homes for the Santorini 31 S.

Renovation/Addition Project + Outdoor Project: Trademark Building.

Residential Design: Sorensen Design & Planning.

Display Home + Kitchen in a Display Home: McDonald Jones for the Hermitage Grande.

feature | hunter housing awards

Display Home $300,001-$325,000: Bellriver Homes for the Somerton 24.

Display Home $375,001$400,000: Valletta Homes for the Sahara 275.

Display Home $430,001-$450,000: Valletta Homes for the Sahara 275.

Display Home $450,001-$475,000: McDonald Jones for the San Marino Encore.

Display Home $475,001$500,000: Montgomery Homes for the Whitehaven 264.

Residential Interior Design: Gremmo Homes.

Location, location

Both the Central Coast and Hunter regions have long been popular with Sydneysiders looking to make either a seachange or treechange. The pandemic, however, intensified interest in these areas as more and more people decided to flee the congestion and hustle and bustle of city life. This coincided with a massive upswing in people working from home, making such a major lifestyle transition much easier. If you no longer needed to be within commuting distance of your workplace, you could choose to live wherever you wanted — by the coast, in the bush or in a rural or mountain-side locale.

This major migration led to a big uptick in the number of singles, couples and families looking for knockdown-rebuild opportunities. While that is by no means a new concept for the Hunter or Central Coast — after all, people have been knocking down dilapidated old homes, rural cottages and beach shacks to make way for contemporary holiday homes in

Knocking down a dated dwelling and replacing it with a modern modular home gets you in to your ideal location sooner

Manor modular homes are perfect for knockdownrebuild projects in rural and remote locations.

knockdown-rebuild | manor homes

these areas for years — there has been a substantial rise in the number of folk looking for opportunities to build permanent homes and, typically, they are looking in highly sought-after locations.

WHY A KNOCKDOWN-REBUILD?

Whether you’re relocating to establish a new life by the coast or give country living a try, or you’re a local looking to upgrade, embarking on a knockdown-rebuild project rather than buying a new home or renovating an existing home has benefits. To begin with, building a new home, as opposed to renovating an old one, will ensure a better resale value — and you can create a more energy efficient home and enjoy the savings it affords.

According to a study by the Housing Industry of Australia, nearly a third of all new detached homes are knockdown-rebuilds. The popularity of this approach is about location, but it’s also driven by the fact that a knockdown-rebuild can be more cost-efficient than a large-scale home renovation.

All new homes have to be built to the required current standards, which are not met by many older homes and can be costly and problematic to achieve with a renovation. The other benefit of a new home is you can choose from the newest appliances, materials and finishes. And, importantly, a new home comes with new warranties for the appliances inside as well the residence itself.

A modular build, from an experienced local company such as Manor Homes, is perfect for virtually any knockdown-rebuild project. You get a high quality home in a fraction of the time it would take for a traditional build, the cost is less and the whole process is easier.

BENEFITS OF MODULAR

A modular home is built off-site in a factory setting and the modules are then transported to your site where they are connected. Because the majority of the build is done off-site, it is not affected by weather, design complexity and land gradients, meaning a much quicker build time compared to a traditional build.

A traditional build will typically have to deal with rain, heat, humidity and frosts that may delay or compromise the construction process, while the factory-built home is safe in its controlled environment. This

means increased quality control as well as a reduced build time. With Modular Homes, for example, the construction process is generally less than 20 weeks where with a traditional build, it could be from 12 to 18 months.

Another plus is that as the majority of the modular build occurs off-site, construction can begin on your new home well before the old one needs to be demolished. Also,

there is minimal site disruption (for example, extensive cut and fill earthworks are not needed). The modular builder simply prepares your site with engineered piers, ready for the home to be craned in and installed before the finishing touches are applied.

Basically, the land will only be worked for three short periods: for the demolition of the old home; the placing of piers; and, finally,

A spacious country-style interior. What is your style?

A modular build is often ideal for challenging or sloping sites.

the placement of modules and finishing of site works such as verandahs, decks and pergolas.

CUSTOMISED SOLUTIONS

Many people don’t realise that modular homes come in a wide range of designs. Nor do many know that some companies, such as Manor Homes, can adapt plans to meet their needs. If you can’t find a standard plan that suits your lifestyle requirements or the specifics of your site, Manor Homes can have a design tailored to your needs.

An important part of tailoring your home design is taking into account the type of land you are building on. You need to get the best out of your landscape, including the use of views, aspects, and natural features, such as light and wind. The customisation process also includes adjusting plans to accommodate other requirements, such as the regulations pertaining to bushfire- or fl ood-prone areas. People might also not be aware of how well-suited modular homes are to tricky sites.

In regions such as the Central Coast and Hunter, knockdown-rebuild sites are often in great locations with spectacular views, but these sites can sometimes come with added challenges. Don’t let that put you off. Modular builds are perfect for sloping and difficult sites, as well as remote locations.

The unique construction process negates the biggest issue of all — accessibility. A traditional builder would need to navigate a difficult site daily, but because the majority of a modular build happens in a purpose-built facility, the building of the home is the same as any other in the factory setting.

A successful knockdown-rebuild on the Central Coast.

This homestead-style modular home is a popular choice in the Hunter region.

build home

knockdown-rebuild | manor homes

THE LOCATION YOU LOVE

If you already live in the Hunter or Central Coast and it’s time to upgrade your home, a knockdown-rebuild means you can have the home you need without having to move from an area that you love. That might mean knocking down your existing home and rebuilding or finding an old home in the same area and knocking that down. It is challenging finding vacant land in a great location — and this is becoming even harder as the number of people coming to the region to build their forever home in sought-after locations increases. You could sell your home and buy a new one, but there are costs, time and hassle involved in that. Renovating can also be costly and stressful. A knockdown-rebuild eliminates all of these challenges and worries.

The other advantage of a knockdownrebuild is that it boosts the value of your property. Rebuilding a home, as opposed to renovating it, for example, will ensure a more profitable resale value. You can also create a more energy efficient home and enjoy the savings that brings.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

As with any home building project, experience counts and Manor Homes offers a complete knockdown-rebuild service. Manor has been building high-quality modular homes for over 30 years, focusing on the Hunter Valley and Central Coast, and has a wide range of designs which can be individually tailored. At Manor, the team is passionate about creating quality homes and bringing each client’s vision to life. With a Manor modular build you can be assured of three things. Your home will be built quickly and on time; it will be defectfree upon completion; and the entire process will be easy for you.

So don’t waste time looking for the ideal house or piece of vacant land. Choose a knockdown-rebuild and you can be living in your dream home in a matter of months.

The details

MANOR HOMES

Display Centre: 5 Sunny Bank Road, Lisarow NSW

Phone: 1800 55 18 18

Website: manor.net.au

Built by Manor Homes, this modular home nestles into its leafy surrounds.

A modular Manor home with an open-plan interior.

Enjoy the relaxed settings the Hunter and Central Coast have to offer.

A little bit country

The Hermitage Grande, a jewel in the crown of the McDonald Jones Country Living acreage collection, is ideally suited to those seeking to maximise a larger lot. Designed with both growing families and acreage blocks in mind, this award-winning home offers a modern Australian twist on the classic country-style homestead.

“This home is suitable for families of all sizes — and it’s perfect for families who love to entertain but still want private spaces within the home. It also caters to the work-from-home trend, offering an option to have two home offices. And for growing or extended families, there is the flexibility to create more bedrooms,” says Daniel King, Hunter Sales Manager, McDonald Jones.

“Warm and welcoming, the heart of the home is the airy and light-filled combined family, living and dining zone, which opens to the inviting optional alfresco to create a spacious indoor-outdoor area that is ideal for entertaining. The gourmet kitchen, with its wide stretches of bench space, is a sanctuary for long chats over cups of tea and the nerve centre for creating delicious family meals.

“Characterised by free-flowing spaces, this is a home in which memories can be made. Whether it’s just close family for a night on the lounge in the home theatre, sharing a movie and popcorn, or a special occasion with a crowd of friends and family, the Hermitage is the perfect setting.”

King,

Of Hollywood proportions, the master suite, with its spacious sleeping zone, luxurious walk-in robe and resort-style ensuite (complete with double basin, bath and shower), is a sumptuous place of retreat. Meanwhile, the kids are happy on the other side of the house with a wing they can truly call their own. This comprises a large activity room, three bedrooms and a generous family bathroom.

Daniel

Hunter Sales Manager, McDonald Jones

Offering a fresh take on classic country style, this stylish one-storey home is ideal for large lots and big families

Photography: Urban Angles

EXPERT TIP: To enhance the sense of space and light inside your new home, and add a dash of drama, consider a cathedral ceiling in key living areas.

To say the interior of the Hermitage is stylish really is an understatement. “Once inside the home, your eye is instantly drawn to the herringbone timber floors, wall panelling and arched recess,” says Daniel. “Statement lighting is placed throughout to add drama, while high skirting, detailed architraves, and internal panelled doors give the home a luxe look.

“The kitchen is the heart of any home and here we showcase veined benchtops, profiled joinery (including fluted overhead glazing), integrated appliances, a wine fridge, tower cabinetry and a large entertaining island. The adjacent open-plan living and dining area boasts

The facts

Location of home: HomeWorld Thornton

Name of design: Hermitage Grande with Newhampton facade

Time taken to build: 10 months

Year completed: 2022

Awards: 2022 HIA-CSR Hunter Housing

Awards: Display Home of the Year and Display Kitchen of the Year

an amazing cathedral ceiling. This opens up the space and works in perfect balance with the elegant fireplace to create a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.”

The display home features the Newhampton facade. With its classic cladding, Hamptons-style picket balustrading, beautiful dormer windows, and a striking Monoclad profiled roof, the exterior is a blend of country farmhouse style and modern Australian design.

“Offering a fresh take on a classic country home, the Hermitage provides the space and innovation Aussie families expect — it even has an optional pet laundry,” says Daniel. What more could you ask?

The figures

Size of home: 380sqm

Size of land: 1221sqm

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 2.5

Floors: 1

The details

MCDONALD JONES

Address: 9B Huntingdale Drive, Thornton NSW

Phone: 1300 555 382

Website: mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au

Classic Hamptons

An ideal home for growing families who love to entertain

The grandly titled Carrington Promenade is perfect for entertainers. The location of the generous outdoor living space, situated just off the formal dining and living area, and adjacent to a spacious games room, makes this one-storey home ideal for those who love to throw a party.

“This floor plan is a suburban adaptation of our best-selling acreage design, the Carrington Grand 34,” explains Paul Hogan, State Sales Manager, MOJO Homes. “We have taken this floor plan and, in essence, rotated it 90 degrees — with a few small tweaks — to make it suitable for a typical suburban lot. This also means the alfresco is located off the side of the home, which is not all that common for a standard single-storey design. The benefit of this is that those with a west-facing backyard can still enjoy outdoor living all-year-round.”

From outside to in, the home has been completed in Classic Hamptons style, which is one of the most popular styles offered by MOJO Homes’ MyChoice Design Studio. “A really great feature of this home is it is one of the first display homes in the country to feature Colorbond steel in

Dover White — this was only introduced to the colour range in 2022. We have used this on the roof of the home as well as the fascias and gutters, adding to the Hamptons feel of the facade,” says Paul.

Inside, the Hamptons aesthetic continues. This can be seen in the stunning Grand Oak herringbone floating floor system that flows throughout the main living areas; also in the kitchen where you will spy Polytech stone-grey cabinetry featuring a gloss finish and Hamptons profile. The cabinetry is complemented by the fresh white of the Caesarstone Osprey benchtops and is highlighted by the classic chrome and glass Hamilton feature pendants from Beacon Lighting.

Paul Hogan, State Sales Manager, MOJO Homes

Photography: Robert Cameriere

EXPERT TIP: To personalise your home and ensure it will meet your current and future lifestyle needs, explore the optional extras your builder has to offer.

Although the home features traditional design elements, it offers every modern convenience and up-to-the-minute appliances. This includes Fisher & Paykel appliances in the kitchen, Actron ducted air-conditioning throughout the home and a RealFlame Captiva fireplace in the formal living area.

“This home also showcases several click-on options that elevate the standard floor plan,” says Paul. “The outdoor

The facts

Location of home:

Hereford Hill Estate, Lochinvar NSW

Name of design: Carrington Promenade 34

with Gloucester facade

Year completed: 2022

living area has been upgraded, offering an extra 10sqm of space. Also, bifold doors have been used as opposed to the standard stacker door. Add to this such special inclusions as a wet bar off the games room, a double-entry butler’s pantry in the kitchen and a dedicated home office with a built-in library, and it’s clear to see that the Carrington Promenade 34 is the perfect home for those who want it all.”

The figures

Size of home: 313.93sqm

Size of land: 1078sqm

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2.5

Floors: 1

The details

MOJO HOMES

Address: Level 4, 62 Norwest Boulevard, Norwest NSW

Phone: 1300 006 656

Website: mojohomes.com

Homestead chic

Built for a couple with a grown-up family, this riverside property in East Maitland blends the timelessness of a classic country home with contemporary living. The facade pays homage to the heritage of the location while the interior boasts a considered mix of rustic and modern touches, accented by timber finishes.

“To achieve their vision, and after looking at lots of plans and project homes, the couple realised they needed a custom builder. They chose Valley Homes as we offer a design service and have the experience needed to bring ideas to life while staying within budget. Attention to detail and flexibility were also important to the clients and we were able to provide that, too,” says Rich Harold, General Manager, Valley Homes.

“The clients wanted to create a place where family and friends could gather and feel at home. They sought large open-plan living and dining spaces yet still wanted the

home to feel cosy. As for the interior design, they wanted a modern country farmhouse feel, what you could call homestead chic.

“Because they love the warmth of Australian timbers and the texture and earthy tones of stone, this influenced the selection of colours and materials,” explains Rich. “The Australian Blackbutt flooring throughout and the Random Ashlar Coolum stone cladding on the surrounds of the fireplace, were central to achieving the desired look and feel. Adding character to the fireplace, there is a recycled timber railway sleeper mantle.

Rich Harold, General Manager, Valley Homes

Of modern country style, this charming home is truly stunning

home designs | valley homes

“The kitchen needed to be spacious and functional, but the couple also wanted it to have a heritage feel, so we included period design elements such as pressed metal-look splashback tiles. Essentially a classic country-style kitchen, it also features cabinetry with a traditional Shaker profile, a Belfast sink and a large timber dining table.”

One of the must-haves was a rear outdoor entertaining deck that flowed easily from the home’s interior — one that could be part of a large, enclosed area once the sliding doors were fully opened. “This area can be opened up or

The facts

Location of home: East Maitland NSW

Time taken to build: 32 weeks

Year completed: 2020

closed as needed and is equipped with outdoor blinds, a fan and heaters, ensuring the space can be used throughout the year. Just as importantly, this back deck enjoys sweeping farmland views and overlooks the Hunter River,” says Rich.

While the site, until recently part of a family farm, was perfectly positioned to capture views, the fact that it had a significant slope needed to be addressed. This was done smartly and efficiently by opting for a split-level floor plan that allows the home to sit comfortably within the contours of the block and make the most of the enviable outlook.

The figures

Size of home: 407sqm

Size of land: 919sqm

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2 + powder room

Floors: Split level

The details

VALLEY HOMES

Address: 457 High Street, Maitland NSW

Phone: (02) 4934 1400

Website: valleyhomes.com.au

EXPERT TIP: Sloping sites bring both challenges and opportunities. To make the best use of your land, find a custom builder who can offer a tailored solution.

“Valley Homes offered a design service that helped us incorporate the features we wanted within our budget. Attention to detail and flexibility were really important to us, and Valley Homes were able to provide these for us.”

– Kathy & Peter

A family affair

Ahome office in a quiet spot, light-filled interior living spaces, an alfresco entertaining area next to a swimming pool … these were just some of Steve and Kirsty’s must-haves.

Having secured the perfect site in Berkeley Vale, the couple sat down with the team at Baxco Homes to discuss what they wanted.

“They pictured a home filled with a lot of light in the living areas, a living/meals/kitchen area with an open-plan layout, and an alfresco area overlooking a pool they could use as their main entertaining zone,” says Tabytha Hipwell, Office Manager, Baxco Homes.

“As Steve, who is a draftsman, works from home, he needed a dedicated office to the front of the house, and the couple wanted three separate living areas. A media room to the front near the master bedroom and office, and a main living room in the middle of the house — this was to have a large fireplace.

“The third was to be a kids’ retreat between the kids’ rooms, so they could close the door and let them have their own little oasis down the rear of the house. This would also let the couple have their own space, yet still be close

enough to tend to the kids when needed.”

The rear outdoor entertaining area was also a priority, with Steve especially keen on having a barbecue set within a built-in concrete bench. This concept developed into a sleek, custom construction that includes prep space, a sink, and a bench where you can sit and chat to the cook while he barbecues.

Tabytha Hipwell, Office Manager,

“The wall behind is clad in a gorgeous dark-grey, crazystyle stone that was honed so it is flat-faced. This brings some extra colour to the outdoor area and is one of the home’s major design features,” says Tabytha.

Separating the covered outdoor entertaining area from the pool is frameless glass fencing. This allows an

Baxco Homes

This award-winning custom home was designed with the lifestyle needs of a modern family very much in mind

Photography: Marian Riabic

unobstructed view and makes both spaces read as one. At one end of the pool is a generous space for lounging about.

As for the front of the house, Tabytha says, “Our clients had a vision for the facade and we brought it to life. The look is very modern and the palette of materials includes Hebel with timber screening and wall tiles used as features. We also installed Stackerstone to the front piers and the combination of colours and textures really makes the home stand out.”

Kirsty and Steve’s selection of materials, colours and profiles for the interior was just as well-considered. Take the kitchen as an example. It features a gloss white subwaytiled kitchen splashback, white Shaker-profile cabinetry with black handles, black tapware, and an island bench with a Caesarstone top (Airy Concrete colour) with waterfall

The facts

Location of home: Berkeley Vale NSW

Time taken to build: 20 weeks

Year completed: 2020

Award: 2022 HIA–CSR Hunter Housing

and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards:

Custom Built Home up to $500,000

ends. To make the space as light as possible, Baxco Homes installed three Velux skylights and for visual warmth, there is Mistura Sorrel-coloured hybrid flooring.

Baxco Homes, which was established by builder James Perry, produces custom-designed homes without the custom design price tag. As part of her managerial role, Tabytha is heavily involved in the planning, design, pre-construction, and overall process. “I am very passionate about the construction industry and I love that this job grows more each day,” she says. “Being part of an extraordinary team that works its absolute hardest to bring our clients’ dreams to life would have to be one of the most amazing things I could ever be a part of and I am very grateful to hold this position within our company.”

The figures

Size of home: 309.4sqm

Size of land: 684sqm

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

Floors: 1

The details

BAXCO HOMES

Address: 3/25 Spitfire Place Rutherford NSW

Mobile: 0457 842 383

Website: baxcohomes.com.au

EXPERT TIP: You need never compromise on what you want. Just look for a local builder who can deliver a custom-designed home without the custom price tag.

Modern masterpiece

This beautifully composed home stri kes just the right chord

When the Tempo Living design team came together to create the new Symphony IV display home there was a specific brief: create a functional layout that maximised space for a small block of land while amplifying the natural light.

“A soaring double-void entryway greets you upon arrival. The sense of space is immediate and your eye is drawn directly through the home to the backyard,” says Martin Apap, Tempo Living’s founder. “The entry leads into a light-filled living room, which is the first of three living spaces. This is a bright, open area that can be used as a TV room or formal lounge — at Tempo Living, it’s all about creating living areas that adapt to your lifestyle.”

Moving through the home you come to a generous guest bedroom and adjacent bathroom. This space could be a private retreat for in-laws, a home office or theatre room.

From the living room you step into an open-plan kitchen, dining and family space, which feels immediately inviting, thanks to a neutral colour palette and abundant natural light. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors add to the airy feel and lead onto the alfresco.

“We know the kitchen is the heart of the home so we have packed it with standard inclusions that would be considered upgrades elsewhere. From attractive stone benchtops to slick stainless-steel appliances, the kitchen is fully equipped to accommodate a busy working family,” says Martin.

Martin Apap, Founder, Tempo Living

EXPERT TIP:

There’s ample storage thanks to a walk-in pantry, which can be upgraded to a butler’s pantry. Next to the pantry is the large laundry. This leads directly out to the backyard and clothesline, making it ideal for daily family life.

“Moving upstairs, the clever reversed staircase design creates additional space in the rumpus room,” continues Martin. “Extensive glazing invites the sunlight in. This smart use of passive solar design principles ensures this area is always warm while saving on heating bills.”

From the rumpus room, which could be used as a third living space, a wide hallway leads to the four generously sized bedrooms, walk-in linen cupboard and bathroom.

Tempo Living offers the latest in contemporary bathroom selections, including premium tapware, stone benchtops and full-height wall tiles. The ensuite of this home features brushed gold tapware and a herringbone tile feature.

The spacious master suite boasts a walk-in robe while the remaining bedrooms have a built-in robe, and you can choose to have mirrored sliding doors at no additional cost. Cupboard space has been maximised and there is plenty of room for desks and additional furniture.

“Intelligent design, abundant light and functional living spaces have all come together to create our latest masterpiece,” says Martin. “Sit back and enjoy the Symphony.”

The facts

Location of home: 15 Ribbonwood Crescent,

Melonba NSW

Name of design: Symphony IV with Aurora facade

Time taken to build: 6 months

Year completed: 2021

The figures

Size of home: 300.6sqm

Size of land: 380sqm

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 3

Floors: 2

The details

TEMPO LIVING

Address: 27 Lockheed Drive, Schofields NSW

Phone: 1800 083 676

Website: tempohomes.com

Look for a home builder who provides a touch of luxury along with a wide range of standard inclusions that others would regard as upgrades.

The A-Team

You can make your dream abode in the Hunter a reality with these highly experienced and professional home builders

MCDONALD JONES

For more than 35 years, McDonald Jones has been building beautiful, architecturally designed houses across NSW and the ACT. As one of Australia’s leading home builders, McDonald Jones prides itself on its affordable, award-winning homes, with an ever-expanding suite of single- and double-storey homes suitable for the whole spectrum of budgets, lot sizes and lifestyles. McDonald Jones has built its success on the belief that the best-designed homes bring out the best in the people who live in them. That a home with flow enables families to go about their day-to-day lives in welcoming spaces where it’s easy and harmonious to come together, and just as easy to find privacy and retreat. It’s this belief that makes a McDonald Jones home so special. From the coast to the country, the suburbs to the inner-city, McDonald Jones is bringing dream homes to life. Visit one of the 75 stunning display homes in 25 locations across NSW and find yourself at home in a McDonald Jones home.

Head office: 9B Huntingdale Drive, Thornton NSW

Phone: 1300 555 382

Website: mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au

MOJO HOMES

MOJO Homes is NSW’s most exciting builder, a breath of fresh air in the home building market, here to spoil you with a stunning range of home designs across the Greater Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra regions. Backed by the MJH Group, with more than 35 years’ experience in the home building market, MOJO Homes delivers an exciting twist to the Group’s portfolio, offering innovative designs, edgy interiors and purposeful solutions. MOJO helps customers create a home that is as unique as they are, with inspired architectural floor plans and features across their single- and double-storey homes, dual living homes, granny flats, acreage homes and narrow-block solutions. Each build is tailored to the customer’s immediate and future needs while accommodating their location, budget and goals to offer more opportunity, more happiness and more freedom to live. The mix of home designs suits all lifestyles and life stages, further supported by the MOJO MORE inclusions comprising features other builders call upgrades.

Head office: Level 4, 62 Norwest Boulevard, Norwest NSW

Phone: 1300 006 656

Website: mojohomes.com

VALLEY HOMES

Valley Homes recently celebrated 50 years building custom-designed homes across the Hunter Valley. Very few building companies are fortunate enough to reach 50 years and Valley Homes puts its success down to dedicated staff, and prioritising service and quality craftsmanship.

Valley Homes offers an integrated design and construction solution both teams working closely together on every project to find the right balance between best design practices and cost efficiencies. For Valley Homes, designing a new home is about collaborating with the client, and with its extensive industry experience and long-standing supplier connections, the team can guide clients through the process to create a positive experience. Design Estimate Plan —

Select Manage Build: These six simple steps ensure a seamless process for clients, from design through to construction. If you have a vision, Valley Homes can bring it to life.

Head office: 453–457 High Street, Maitland NSW

Phone: (02) 4934 1400

Website: valleyhomes.com.au

MANOR HOMES

Imagine a home that makes you feel like you’ve lived there forever. A comfortable home that welcomes your family with wide, sweeping verandahs, open-plan living spaces, homely and spacious rooms. A home that captures the beauty of its environment, with sun-drenched areas that invite the outdoors in. Imagine a home with a country heart, crafted so it’s “Built for Living”. If you’re looking for a special home that lets you and your family create the haven you’ve always wanted, then look no further than a Manor home. For more than 30 years, Manor has been building modular lifestyle homes all over NSW. Its expertise is helping you achieve your lifestyle vision. Manor does this with its unique seven-step process that includes a Discovery Meeting to ensure design consultants understand your lifestyle needs. Your new modular home will then be built quickly and on time (no delays and no defects), ensuring the building experience is an easy one.

Display centre: 5 Sunny Bank Road, Lisarow NSW

Phone: 1800 55 18 18

Website: manor.net.au

TEMPO LIVING

Tempo Living is Australia’s newest and most experienced home builder. Led by a team that has a proven reputation for creating innovative home designs and delivering quality construction for more than 35 years, Tempo Living has the resources and experience to ensure that your new home will become a memorable building experience. Tempo Living is committed to implementing sustainable, GreenSmart options and technology into every home it builds. From solar passive design to intelligent automation options and water harvesting, you can be sure that your new Tempo Living home is considerate of the environment and sustainable, catering for future generations. You can find out more about Tempo Living’s Site Start Guarantees and Move in Ready pricing by visiting the easy-to-navigate website or you can arrange to visit a display home and see for yourself. Your future is here with Tempo Living. It’s your home, it’s your life.

Head office: 27 Lockheed Drive, Schofields NSW

Phone: 1800 083 676

Website: tempohomes.com

BAXCO HOMES

Servicing a variety of areas in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Central Coast and Port Stephens regions, Baxco Homes is the custom design builder without the custom price tag. Imagine being able to sit down with the owner/licensed builder to discuss your dream home that’s what you get when you build with Baxco Homes. Baxco Homes prides itself on building affordable, high-quality, award-winning homes (single storey, double storey and split-level) for all budgets. You can also expect exceptional service from start to finish, from your initial meeting with the team until you are handed the keys to your dream home.

Address: 3/25 Spitfire Place, Rutherford NSW

Mobile: 0457 842 383

Website: baxcohomes.com.au

MAGAZINE 2023

BLN: 269829C