With elevated views of Rangitoto Island and Waitematā Harbour, the beach a short stroll away and Dingle Dell bush reserve on its doorstep, this private property in St Heliers with a heated swimming pool and all-day sun is hard to beat.
Home to the same family for 37 years, the house has seen three kids grow up, move out and start families of their own. Now, says the owner, it's time “to downsize and let the next family enjoy it”.
Its location, Fern Glen Rd North, is a street where properties rarely come up, with neighbours who’ve stayed put for decades. That’s now starting to shift, as long-time residents begin to make way for a new generation.
Thirty-seven years of ownership is a true testament to this property’s enduring quality says Bayleys Andrew Wallace.
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“This home and property has been maintained to the highest standard, offering its next family a home built for growing families, with grandstand views of the Waitematā Harbour and Rangitoto on a substantial 1201sqm north-facing freehold section.”
Built in the 1970s, the current owners enlisted architect Malcolm Hislop to modernise the two-storey, four-bedroom cedar home. This included extending the deck and adding sliding doors to open up spaces to the outdoors and an external staircase to join the entertaining areas.
Hislop also designed a bespoke balustrade to maximise the views.
Upstairs the two living areas, kitchen/casual dining space, and bedrooms, all enjoy sun and sea views. The downstairs living area opens to the swimming pool, lawn and sea views.
It’s a home that’s been designed for both effortless entertaining and space for quiet relaxing moments.
“Everyone had a room that wasn’t their bedroom, even when my husband was working from home. Sometimes he’d go out on to the lawn between files and swing his golf clubs and then come back in. It just flows very easily,” says the owner.
The two-storey, four-bedroom cedar home is next door to Dingle Bell Reserve and has been home for the same family for 37 years. Photo / Supplied
The home enjoys elevated views of Rangitoto Island and Waitematā Harbour. Photo / Supplied
“It’s also a great summer and winter house. We have all-day sun which is great for entertaining and usually have the family Christmases here with the extended family, and we’ve hosted three 21sts.”
The owners have continued to update the home over the years and kept the decor deliberately light to echo the “beachy seaside vibes” of its location.
The bathrooms and laundry have been renovated in matching marble tiles and cabinetry. The stairwell treads and handrail have been replaced in solid oak.
The new kitchen (installed in late 2024) has an oak engineered floor, engineered stone bench with waterfall and high-quality appliances. Its pitched roof fills the room with light and a real sense of space and connects to a TV room and casual dining area so kids can be part of things while meals are being made.
Its location is particularly unique with access to Dingle Dell at the end of the driveway. It brings native birds and birdsong into the vicinity, too.
The home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, triple garaging, and multiple living areas. Photo / Supplied
The new kitchen, installed in late 2024, has an oak engineered floor, engineered stone bench and high-quality appliances – as well as fantastic views. Photo / Supplied
“With sweeping sea and tree views from both levels, it’s a very peaceful and quiet place to live. The house’s position is unique and special allowing a fun filled relaxing lifestyle removed from city living.”
The outlook certainly is amazing and having the public reserve on the doorstep and five-minute walk to the beach and its proximity to St Heliers Village nearby adds to the lifestyle factor.
“It’s been a great place to live and relax with the family. It’s an easy home to live in. Everything is just so handy and an easy walk. And we don’t have any traffic noise or even see traffic,” says the owner.
Other attributes include its north-facing position, underfloor heating and insulation between the floors. “It never gets too hot or cold.” A perfect Goldilocks temperature.
The owner is a keen gardener and loves spending time tending her roses, and having trees and green spaces on both sides of the house including a lawn where the kids used to play cricket and soccer.
The heated swimming pool is used for nine months of the year from September through to May.
- 28 Fern Glen Road North in St Heliers, Auckland, goes to auction on October 28
