When you first see the Sandhaven, a 5,000+ square foot home custom-built by Patriot Homes, the word that comes to mind is regal. There’s gold, white and cream tones, elegant furniture, chandeliers, exquisite tile work and high-quality finishes that add polish.

“The whole main floor is basically tile, a very expensive thing to use, but it added to that regal look,” said Aman Gill, president and CEO of Patriot Homes.

Patriot Homes, a family-owned custom homebuilder based in Victoria with roots in construction spanning over three decades, built the home in 2020 for a family with highschoolers. The client wanted a French-inspired home that emphasized elegance and tradition, rather than modernity, and that’s exactly what Patriot delivered.

The dynamic, two-storey exterior dazzles; it has a symmetrical, classic design with light, beige-coloured exterior walls and a dark, pitched roof and matching multi-paned windows. The double door entrance is prominent, framed by soft exterior lighting and a small balcony above.

To the right, the house extends into a connected wing with a three-car garage. The driveway and front walkway are paved with stamped concrete, leading to a neatly landscaped front yard with low hedges, small plants and decorative fountains.

“The exterior work on that house is just phenomenal, including the colours they chose. We did a stamped concrete driveway and coloured it as well, so it matched the house. A lot of people, when they get to that landscaping stage, the money’s starting to run out and they kind of skimp out, but they really wanted to make sure it worked with the house.”

The interior matches the stately vibe. There are high-quality finishes throughout, including hardwood floors, custom Oak cabinets, quartz countertops and two gas fireplaces.

The foyer opens into an open concept great room – featuring a double-height ceiling – and the kitchen, both overlooking the covered porch. Ornate panel moulding, wainscot and crown trim give the room a classic, European-inspired feel.

“We buy several different profiles (styles) of mouldings and then combine them in different ways/layers to create more ornate wall panels or crown mouldings,” Aman said. “Even the fireplace is all custom-built.”

At the centre of the great room’s feature wall sits a custom white fireplace with a decorative mantel; above, a flat-screen television.

A custom wood staircase with dark railings contrasts with the light walls.

Also on the main floor is a primary bedroom and spacious ensuite, designed with a calm, spa-like feel. The glamorous ensuite, finished in warm beige and cream tones, features a free-standing tub with an ocean view and custom shower.

The main floor is further enhanced with a library, a dining nook off the kitchen, a wine room, a formal dining room and a mudroom and dog room off the three-car garage.

Upstairs are three more bedrooms (including another master), laundry, an office, and focused activity space, including a gym, media room, games area and pool table room with a deck overlooking the backyard.

Out of it all, there was one feature that Aman says was most challenging and rewarding.

“What we’re really proud of is the fact that the lot was extremely steeply sloped: from the front to what is the backyard was almost a four- or five-meter drop, and we made that all usable in the end so they have a nice yard.” Since the property is waterfront, that required blasting rock, building up retaining walls, and grading: a process that took about six weeks.

Other custom features include solar panels, a Hide-A-Hose built-vacuum system, security cameras, heated floors and generator backup. There are also built-in environmental considerations such as high efficiency heat pumps, hydronic heating backup system, an electric car charger and LED lighting.

“When the couple first walked in, they said, ‘We don’t deserve this. This is not even in our wildest dreams,’” Aman says.

The successful project is just one of over 50 custom residences Patriot Homes has delivered since it expanded operations to Victoria in 2013, where they have set themselves apart as premier builders.

Aman grew up inspired by his father, a construction worker, and pursued starting Patriot, a design-forward company, in 2012.

“I just really enjoy seeing these projects come to life from nothing. I’m standing in front of a subdivision right now where we’re doing a bunch of houses, and seeing them all in different stages and going from a pile of dirt to something really beautiful inspires me.”