“We have seen orcas, dolphins and the weeks hardly go by without seeing gannets diving for fish.”
Mick and Pat McGranaghan now have their Milford, Auckland, property on the market but when they on came on a sunlit evening open home in 2015 to see this house, the impact was immediate,
With the beach only 20m away, Mick says it was “beautiful”.
Built in the 1960s, the home was in obvious need of a full renovation/rebuild and so the couple brought in D’Anvers architects.
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“The result is better than anticipated with an additional level for our bedroom and a bathroom.”
The substantial home, at 24 Tiri Rd, Milford, is for sale by negotiation and has four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
The owners added an upper level master suite, which has views across the to Motuihe Island and Whangaparoa. Photo / supplied
“The bedroom windows and deck give a magnificent vista from Motuihe Island to Whangaparaoa.”
The house is three levels now with the kitchen, dining and living area on the central level where there is another deck where the couple sits and watches the seascape below.
“We have seen orcas, dolphins and the weeks hardly go by without seeing gannets diving for fish, with the biggest ‘boil up’ just four days ago with hundreds of birds diving into the sea just a couple of metres offshore to the amazement of the beach walkers.”
Mick says he and Pat are a health-conscious couple so they installed on the ground floor a pool and sauna they use year-round.
Along with the gym, the pool area makes for a relaxing, private resort which they have made the most of with lights and shrubbery — it’s ideal for entertaining, says Mick.
“Spoilt for choice, we decide whether to use the pool or stroll to the beach. The ground floor also includes two bedrooms, one of which we use as a studio/computer room.”
The house, 327sq m with a block base, consists of plaster rendering and weatherboard upper levels, with coloursteel roofing.
It is north-facing and warm with three gas fires and underfloor heating at the entrance and in the bathrooms.
“To sit in the lounge in front of the fire and watch a storm at sea is a memory we will keep,” Mick says.
The living room has views of the sea, and a cosy fireplace for winter evenings. Photo / supplied
“We are fortunate in that this is a very peaceful neighbourhood with nil traffic noise. The beach is a paradise for dog walkers, swimmers and strollers.”
Mick says their philosophy is “change is the only constant” so they are now anticipating their next challenge.
Agent Lewis Guy, of Premium Real Estate, says the property is in a prime Golden Mile location and an easy walk to Milford or Takapuna.
“It’s one back from the beach with safe, beautiful, panoramic views — it’s unique to achieve water views around the area like this unless on the water.”
The property has a pool and sauna which the owners use all year around. Photo / supplied
The 511sq m site is freehold and the house has been built and engineered for life. The brick and cedar construction is solid, and Lewis says the kitchen, which includes a scullery, is cutting edge.
“There’s fabulous separation of living rooms which is ideal for family.”
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