Attending a friend’s wedding held in this NZIA 1990 National Award-winning home, designed by late acclaimed architect Marshall Cook as his family home, had lasting effects for Murray Higgs.
The Cooks let that architect friend hold his wedding here, leaving wedding guest Murray stunned by its design and excited by whispers the Cooks might be gearing up to sell.
Murray followed up on that rumour, buying this double grammar-zoned home from the Cooks privately in 2005.
“This is the first time this home has ever been put on the market. My wife Kirsty and I got married here about six months after taking possession and have loved living here.
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“After 21 years I still marvel at the brilliant design and the options to open up or close up the home. You walk in and it’s so light and sunny with such a fantastic outlook that it’s instantly uplifting.”
The northeast-facing home admires harbour views from almost every room, looking down past the iconic Orakei boat sheds to the harbour.
It’s towards the upper end of Brighton Road, close to Parnell’s delights, the Domain and Museum, Newmarket, motorways and the CBD.
Murray says: “I’ve got a boys’ lunch in Parnell which I can walk to in less than five minutes.”
The late acclaimed architect Marshall Cook designed the Parnell home for his family, before selling it privately to the current owners 21 years ago. Photo / Supplied
“Anyone who hasn’t been here before walks in and says ‘wow’,” says the homeowner. Photo / Supplied
The Higgs have re-roofed the predominantly concrete home with copper, extended some bedrooms and added a third ensuite.
The design explores Cook’s interest in the creation of houses with multiple living and working areas linked to core cooking and eating spaces. It combines the main gabled part of the house and a near stand-alone apartment above the garage.
An expansive forecourt introduces front bifold doors able to be pulled back into a magnificent quadruple-width opening.
They lead into a versatile, airy-feeling expanse harbouring a long table and European ambience, lit from the sky through a high, sloping double-glazed roof.
Cook saw this as an internal street-like space, neither outside nor truly in, inviting social events and gatherings. It can be fully opened up to a covered alfresco courtyard.
The northeast-facing home admires harbour views from almost every room, looking down past the iconic Orakei boat sheds to the harbour. Photo / Supplied
Murray says: “Anyone who hasn’t been here before walks in and says ‘wow’.”
Kirsty says: “The house is quiet and we don’t hear any road noise. In the glass-roofed area you can seat 30 to 40 people when you put tables right along.
“We’ve had parties with a three-piece band upstairs with those upper shutters open. But because you can shut off spaces you can feel cosy, such as when you’re sitting in front of the open fire in the family room.”
The neighbouring family room-dining-kitchen domain’s internal shutters can link or close it off from the versatile glass-topped expanse. It opens to a vine-covered elevated deck, celebrating the view.
Grounds include clipped and more organically shaped trees and lawn. One level up a family room and office precede the upper level ensuited primary suite with walk-in wardrobe, looking directly at Rangitoto. On the other side of the glass-roofed spread are a bedroom-sized wine room, powder room, the internal-access double garage and workshop-storage space.
The wine room is a bedroom-sized space. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Andrew Wallace says: “16 Brighton Road is a true piece of New Zealand architectural pedigree, designed by Marshall Cook as his own home.” Photo / Supplied
These are topped with two ensuited bedrooms, providing family or guests pleasing separation.
Murray feels it’s the right time to move now he’s in his 80s.
Kirsty says: “I envy the next occupants of this property. I love the house so much and leaving here will be very emotional.”
Bayleys agent Andrew Wallace says: “16 Brighton Road is a true piece of New Zealand architectural pedigree, designed by Marshall Cook as his own home.
“It lives like a work of art, with layered spaces all oriented to maximise the harbour view. Offered to the market for the first time, it’s a rare opportunity.”
- 16 Brighton Road in Parnell, Auckland, goes to auction on May 13
