Sothebys - The Famed Avenues

Living in this iconic home on the rocks at the bottom of one of Takapuna’s most sought-after avenues feels like being on a cruise ship with an uninterrupted outlook expanding all around to Rangitoto Island and the Hauraki Gulf.
It has 27 metres of floor to ceiling glass curving along both the mid and top floors with doors opening to decks. Yet because it sits above a rock boundary wall and the sheet glass is tinted, it’s completely private at all levels. You can’t see anyone wandering along the walkway in front and nobody can see you inside either.
The unique three-level design by award-winning architect Simon Carnachan was built in 1985 using commercial construction techniques and reinforced concrete roof, walls, intermediate floors and ground floor. Downpipes and handrails are all high quality stainless steel.
Owners Michelle and John recently spent 20 months refurbishing the property to create a luxurious contemporary sanctuary that it is “pretty much brand new inside”. Yet they’ve taken care to retain the iconic architecture and structural masonry that have stood the test of time.
New floor coverings throughout include large format Italian tiles and a sleek new German Poggenpohl kitchens has a butler’s pantry. John likes to cook and he says, it’s a lovely entertaining space with great Neff appliances including a steam oven and combi-steam microwave oven.
“We can stand at the breakfast bar and engage with guests, looking at the best view in Auckland.”
All electrics and technology have been updated with video access controls and security systems, heat pumps in all bedrooms and living areas plus programmable blinds. There’s LED lighting in the kitchen, bathrooms and all around the pool. The only original thing is the commercial hydraulic lift that rises through all levels.
The layout has not changed either. It is perfect for a family with a huge open plan mid-floor that encompasses the kitchen, lounge and dining areas – all facing the view – with a great laundry as well. French doors  off this level extend to an 18 metre long north-facing deck encouraging an easy indoor outdoor flow. At the northern end, towering glass windows form a majestic curve like the bow of a ship. When you can sit here, you are surrounded by the water with views across the Gulf right around to Musick Point.
Guests or teens are treated to a separate space on the ground floor at entry level with a fourth bedroom that has a foldaway Murphy bed and its own lounge incorporating a custom-designed German Poggenpohl kitchenette and bar.

When opaque glass doors are opened, it becomes part of the large lounge pool area which can be used all year round. The pool is heated and has a new filtration system. Also on this level is a bathroom, sauna, shower, equipment room and the double garage.
Three more bedrooms, including the master suite on the top floor enjoy panoramic harbour views. The master accesses the balcony and has a generously proportioned bathroom with a freestanding bath and automatic opening Velux skylight. The other bedrooms also have a bathroom - with underfloor heating - and they open to the balcony.
The home sits in private, well-established sub-tropical gardens that are lit at night. The large lower level deck on the seafront has a gate to the beach. Automatic gates open to newly paved driveways and five car off-street parking.
Michelle and John love to travel around the country in their motorhome with their two dogs. So they appreciate the lock up and leave aspect of the property which requires very little maintenance.
They’re selling, John says, because, “We’re at the stage of our life where we don’t need to live in Auckland anymore.”
They’re heading off on an adventure to live in Whitianga, letting another family take on the reigns of a home that leaves nothing to do but relax and enjoy the fantastic modernised spaces and views that are out of this world.

Aaron Reid +64 21 119 1926
Athena Wang +64 22 1570 920
nzsothebysrealty.com
Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Browns Real Estate (Licensed Under The REAA 2008) MREINZ.

 


Issue 123 September 2021