THE elegant Aquinas College stands out from its bushland sanctuary, and in the foreground the river sparkles serenely, while the Darling Range is a hazy backdrop–and you can see why this Mt Pleasant street is called River View Terrace.

With a heap of kids the five-bedroom/three-bathroom home (on 731sqm) had to be big, but the vendor, one of Perth’s leading architects, also wanted it be rock solid, opting to build in limestone, with red-brick quoins edging windows and corners.

“An English stone mason was brought out to build it under the vendor’s supervision,” the agent tells me.

“It very cool so you rarely need the air conditioner, winter or summer,” he adds.

The result of an architect’s keen eye is a home of sweeping proportions, with formal and informal living areas that give more than a nod to the elegant federation mansions of an earlier era.

Large black and white porcelain tiles in the huge lobby flow to the huge open plan area, where floor-to-ceiling glass means plenty of light on the gloomiest day.

The huge kitchen is designed with a clear view of the pool from any vantage, so the cook can keep an eye on the kids–and the dinner.

For an even closer look there’s the massive timber-ceilinged cabana, an area so big you could invite the whole clan for Christmas lunch and never feel crowded. But so pleasant just chilling with the one you love would be a pleasure.

The bedrooms, and a large sitting area, are on the second level, two with river views, and balcony access.

The main, which forms a parents’ wing, also has balcony access, along with a spacious dressing room and ensuite.

Head to the basement level and you’ll find a garage large enough for three cars, and a boat, and a utility room of generous proportions the uses of which are only limited by imagination.

And for good measure there are three storage areas.

This magnificent home is close to restaurants, cafes, shops and schools, and Murdoch University and Fiona Stanley Hospital are just up the road.

13 River View Terrace, Mt Pleasant
Register interest:
Noel Rogers 0409 300 600
Acton Fremantle 9319 3022