Nestled within the prestigious suburb of Forrest in Canberra, a private residence at 1/47 National Circuit stands as a testament to understated elegance and architectural precision. Designed by Regden Mathieson Architects and completed in 2020, this five-bedroom home masterfully balances commanding design with a sanctuary-like atmosphere, offering a rare glimpse into the world of quiet luxury.
European Sensibility Meets Robust Craftsmanship
Wrapped in lush hedges and mature landscaping, the property ensures unparalleled privacy and calm, making it a beacon for those seeking a retreat from the bustling city life. According to selling agent Craig Chapman of MARQ Property, the home has been meticulously curated to evoke timeless elegance, reflecting a disciplined European sensibility that prioritises material honesty over embellishment.
The robust materials palette includes grey-toned bricks, polished concrete, black steel, and glass, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. This combination results in a sophisticated aesthetic that feels both serene and enduring, with soaring 4.4-metre ceilings and clerestory highlight windows flooding the main living spaces with natural light.
Thoughtful Design for Versatile Living
Set across two generous levels, the residence offers the space and comfort of a free-standing house paired with the ease of a low-maintenance lifestyle. Its thoughtful design caters to visiting family or guests, featuring entertaining amenities such as an outdoor pizza oven and wood-fired cooking hearth.
Agent Tamara Ross of MARQ Property notes that privacy is a defining feature, with the home positioned at the back of the site and entered through a beautiful walkway surrounded by manicured gardens. This creates an immediate sense of escape and seclusion.
Inside, a seamless connection between indoors and out is highlighted by an expansive stepped main terrace off the central living area, leading to a sleek lap pool clad in Italian glass mosaic tiles. The main-bedroom suite offers a calming winter-garden aspect, complete with a bespoke walk-in wardrobe and a beautifully finished en suite wrapped in Italian stone.
High-End Amenities and Functional Flexibility
The striking kitchen serves as a statement piece, featuring a five-metre stainless steel island, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, on-tap boiling, chilled and sparkling water, and a fully equipped butler's pantry. Additional conveniences include a walk-in cool room and extensive storage.
Versatility is woven into the home's design, with a commercial-grade Schindler lift providing long-term accessibility. A potential additional bedroom can serve as guest accommodation, a gym, or a second living zone, complete with a kitchenette, en suite, and private garage access. A downstairs rumpus room and a study with integrated joinery and a concealed Murphy bed add further flexibility.
Prime Location and Modern Comforts
With a prized north and north-east orientation, expansive glazing draws in natural light while preserving acoustic and thermal comfort. The home enjoys views extending toward Parliament House, with wide streets, mature oaks, and proximity to the Parliamentary Triangle, Manuka Village, and Kingston Foreshore enhancing its stately and convenient appeal.
Further comfort is assured with hydronic in-slab heating, a gas fireplace, and ducted heating and cooling systems. Chapman describes the residence as "an imported masterpiece," appealing to discerning families, diplomats, or downsizers who value refined living in a secure, low-maintenance environment.
He emphasises that this home possesses presence rather than pretence, noting that there is truly nothing else quite like it on the Canberra market. This Forrest residence not only epitomises quiet luxury but also sets a new benchmark for architectural excellence in the region.
