Good manors are hard to find

There are standard properties in Sydney. And then there’s Glenview Manor. Positioned to capture views of the Blue Mountains, this Glenhaven home at 406 Old Northern Road is an elevated property in every sense of the word.

Once belonging to a much larger parcel of land, the 60-year-old 4262sqm residence, which includes a two-level house, pool and pool house and triple garage, is reached via a long access way leading to a circular driveway.

Planning on building your own home in the Hills District? Check out this off market listing in Glenhaven here.

It has been in the same hands for more than 30 years and the home has been upgraded over that period, with a large Shaker-style Degabriele kitchen including granite benchtops and stainless steel appliances, formal and informal living and dining spaces, marble fireplaces and crafted timberwork throughout.

The six bedrooms are spread over two floors, including a spacious master suite and light-filled ensuite on the ground floor plus three more bedrooms on the lower floor. Two of the bedrooms on the lower floor would be suitable for accommodating older children or the in laws. Alternatively, the large home office under the garage could work equally well for accommodating long or short term guests, with direct access to an ensuite bathroom and sauna, or as a home gym or yoga room.

Set among well-maintained, established gardens, this property is ideal for outdoor entertaining, with a covered alfresco dining space to the northern side of the house and a 12m pool and spa. An additional carport by the main kitchen entrance also allows catering to be delivered right to the door.

A short drive to Castle Hill Metro, Castle Towers and Oakhill College, this property is a rare find.

Address: 406 Old Northern Road, Glenhaven

Auction: Saturday, February 25

Open for Inspection: Friday, February 10, 6pm

Price guide: $6 million

Agent: Karen D’Angola, DiJones Real Estate Hills District 0438 974 253

Australia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.

The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.

Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.

Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.

The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.

The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.

Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.

“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.

“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”

Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.

The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.

According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.

Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.

The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.

Good manors are hard to find

This rare property sits head and shoulders above its neighbours

Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.