Belinda and Noah Marshall were living in Hawaii and scrolling for New Zealand real estate when they spotted Cole House, a five-bedroom "castle in the bush" designed by the late architect Sir Ian Athfield
“We did it often; we call it ‘house porn’,” Belinda told OneRoof. “I said to Noah, ‘This is the house that would make me go back [to New Zealand].’”
Noah’s work meant the couple could be based anywhere in the world, but after eight years in the US, the family were thinking about their next move.
Noah was in New Zealand a week later and took the opportunity to inspect the house.
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It was a firm “no” at first; the 1970s property had been empty for six months, the garden and pool were unkempt, and the roof leaked. But before he flew home, he had another look and then called Belinda: “I think we can do it; I think we should do it.”
The couple made an offer, and they headed back to New Zealand. That was more than a decade ago, and now that their kids are grown up and have left the nest, the Marshalls are selling up.
Access to the multi-level house is via a footbridge that crosses the bush and a stream. Photo / Supplied
Sir Ian Athfield always wanted his houses to evolve with their owners. Photo / NZME
At the back of the house, a bathroom turret and a series of skylights and porthole windows define the kids’ zone. Photo / Supplied
Belinda, who admits she buys houses with her heart, told OneRoof that she cried when she first saw her new home. They weren't tears of joy.
"I couldn't believe it; I was so upset. But for the kids growing up, it has just been unbelievable. I just could not have imagined that it would just have been so incredible, to be honest.”
The design-savvy couple immediately recognised the home's pedigree. In a small-world twist, Noah discovered he had gone to school with the original owners' children.
Set on a 4025sqm site, the 404sqm home appears to rise organically from the bush. Just minutes from the beach, it is enveloped by a stream and framed by mature nikau and kahikatea.
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After six months of repairs, the family moved into 24 Channel View Road, Campbells Bay. But it would be another four years before they undertook a transformative 18-month renovation. The decision was made easier by Sir Ian's son, Zac Athfield, who has continued his father's architectural practice and reassured them that Sir Ian had always intended his homes to evolve with their owners.
The couple reclad the exterior, removed walls and doors to create more fluid living spaces, and installed double-glazed sliding doors and windows that draw in natural light and bush views. Yet they carefully preserved many of the home's defining features, including the skylights, porthole windows, organic plaster walls and intimate snugs.
The home's distinctive bottle-shaped turrets accommodate the bathrooms. One contains a spiral staircase leading to a claw-foot bath, while another features an organic plaster-and-tile bathtub that opens to the swimming pool. The remaining two bathrooms are more conventional in design.
The split-level living room has a glass roof and open fireplace. Photo / Supplied
The view from the media room to the kitchen and dining room, and another split-level sitting room. Photo / Supplied
“I love that it's not beige and it is so different,” Belinda said.
Bayleys agent Darryn Hayes, who is expecting buyers around $4m (it has an RV of $4.1m) said he had received a lot of interest from locals as well as some US buyers.
“They just love the peaceful private setting, and they just love the architectural nature of the home,” he said.
“We’re just trying to find that right buyer, someone who loves architecture and wants to live in an amazing home.”
- 24 Channel View Road, Campbells Bay, Auckland, is for sale, deadline closing November 11
