The Henley Beach South mansion that can be split into two homes

They were meant to visit this luxe holiday home for just the weekend 19 years ago, but they liked it so much they never moved out.

The mansion-like Henley Beach South home at 143 Esplanade was built for Darren Mitolo, his parents and his two siblings as a spectacular nine-bedroom home that can function as two separate dwellings or one big one if desired.

It has proven to be the ultimate weekender, and one Darren’s parents have loved calling home.

“I built it with my father managing the build, and we had a firm focus on making it a quality construction and a solid build, with no expense spared,” Mr Mitolo says.

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The striking property at 143 Esplanade can be split into two homes.

It was a holiday house but that was short lived as its occupants just never left.

It quickly became a hub for the whole family.

Its position on the esplanade offers epic beachfront views.

“We’re three brothers and we’ve all got young children, and it’s really been wonderful for our children to get to grow up in a beach house on the Esplanade and enjoy the water and spending time with their grandparents.

“It’s two homes and we deliberately built it that way so the families could share it at different times and not be on top of each other.

“It was intentionally built as a beach house, but my parents went down there one weekend and just never left.

“So they moved in downstairs, and because there are nine bedrooms all up, we just spread out across the house and everyone had their own rooms – it was wonderful.

“It’s got two separate entries so you can get your own privacy, but you can open them up into the one when you want to.

“When we’ve had parties there, typically we’ll all be upstairs enjoying the beautiful view from the balcony, but we can spill to the front lawn, or the downstairs living area, or out to the rear alfresco area where the barbecue is. It’s incredibly versatile.”

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The property has a total of nine bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

There are bedrooms and bathrooms on each level.

It’s modern throughout with wide windows offering plenty of natural light.

It even has a small backyard area.

Finished in 2006 and designed by Enoki, the property features two separate double garages, two spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas; separate living areas on both levels, four bedrooms on the ground floor and five on the upper level, an outdoor shower, a rear balcony and an upper-level entertainment terrace.

“We’ll leave with so many special memories – our kids really got to enjoy that beach lifestyle, where we could walk to the cafes, walk across the road to the beach and really enjoy their time together with their cousins and their grandparents,” Mr Mitolo says.

“But my parents have moved out now and we’re all looking for a bit of a change, so it’s time for someone else to enjoy this, either in a multi-family arrangement, or as one big family home.

“It’s the most incredible place to watch the sunset from, and everyone who comes here is blown away by it.

“It really is indescribable. You really have to experience it.”

Best offers for the property close at 2pm on November 6.

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