A couple who appreciate good architecture were smitten with this coastal property’s setting, views and privacy, buying it and then doing a full renovation of the already brand new home.
Sitting atop the Pakiri Highlands on 6660sqm grounds, the north-facing residence designed by AO Architecture revels in far-reaching sea views from Whangarei Heads to the Coromandel. It’s only 82km from Auckland.
One of its owners says: “We came up here from Auckland about five years ago to stay with friends and saw this home as it was being completed, when we were out for a walk.
“We thought ‘wow, that’s sitting very nicely here in the landscape’. Then we turned around and looked at the view and it was amazing.”
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Having done several major renovations previously, the discerning couple have standards they won’t compromise on. They turned exacting eyes to the new home with roof-top solar panels and largely undeveloped grounds before making myriad improvements to bring the house up to what they felt its exterior deserved.
“We bought it as a weekender but have been living here full-time for about 18 months while renovating our Auckland home. It feels like a retreat, so private and tranquil.
“The night sky, sunsets and sunrises are spectacular. You come here and enjoy that extraordinary feeling of being away from everything, yet Pakiri Beach and Matakana are about 15 minutes’ drive away.”
The household’s golfer plays at Tara Iti, about 30 minutes’ drive away, with Te Arai Links not much further.
The home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and multiple living areas. Photo / Supplied
The homeowner says: “The night sky, sunsets and sunrises are spectacular.” Photo / Supplied
The home, clad in cedar and Colorsteel, reminds its owners of South Island architecture. Their significant improvements are too many to detail but include completely replacing the brand new light-hued kitchen that greeted them five years ago.
“I really like natural materials that are comfortable and durable and feel a little bit luxurious. Because the house is north facing and so light and bright I wanted it to feel a bit calmer.”
A Robyn Labb-designed kitchen, which is open-plan with dining, now teams dark-stained oak cabinetry with granite benches. It’s across the foyer from a dedicated living space to which they added a feature wall from the concrete-look tiles which also surround their swimming pool.
The ground floor has polished concrete floors throughout. Outside another living-dining space they added a louvre-roofed loggia with outdoor fireplace, connecting home and landscape and admiring the view. “I love sitting outside, watching the boats go by.”
They renovated all three already new bathrooms. The cupboard laundry on offer seemed insufficient so they had the original architect extend the floor plan and roofline to accommodate a separate laundry-scullery.
An accommodation wing also flows outside and houses three bedrooms (one ensuited, one with a walk-in wardrobe), a bathroom and powder room.
The Robyn Labb-designed kitchen is open-plan with dining, and teams dark-stained oak cabinetry with granite benches. Photo / Supplied
The homeowners renovated all three already new bathrooms to their exacting standards. Photo / Supplied
A floating staircase introduces the upper floor master suite with floor-to-ceiling windows celebrating the outlook. They installed oak flooring here and removed a wall to open up the bedroom and luxurious dressing room-study, which accompany a sophisticated ensuite.
They replaced all doors and their hardware and added south-facing windows to capture the rural view. A sparkling salt-water swimming pool with Bisazza glass mosaic tiles and moat surround rather than fencing was installed, with a spa pool nearby.
They augmented the separate double garage with a carport and introduced an attractive Winter Gardenz greenhouse. Ron Dykman’s extensive landscaping favoured natives and even reconfigured the driveway.
The couple are selling this residence planning to move back into their Auckland home, simplify life and travel more.
Bayleys agent Victoria Turner says: “This very special property in a gorgeous elevated position with panoramic coastal views is tranquil and private, ideal for permanent living or a holiday home.”
- 1612P Pakiri Road in Pakiri, Rodney, Auckland is for sale by negotiation
