Rebecca found what would be her ideal five-bedroom “family forever home”, if it wasn’t on the wrong side of the Tasman for her next career move.
Her partner and she bought this premium double grammar-zoned Remuera home three years ago, moving from Sydney with their two young children for a banking role she’d accepted.
“We knew we needed a large home as we have a live-in nanny for the children and a lot of visitors from Australia coming to stay. It’s incredibly peaceful, on a generous section near the end of a no-exit road.
“It’s modern but still feels welcoming, exceptionally comfortable and really easy to live in. If we weren’t moving back to Australia for my next banking role, we’d absolutely be staying here. It’s the home you’d want to raise your family in.”
Start your property search
Rebecca feels this neighbourly location is hard to beat, typically enjoying an early 15-minute commute to work in the CBD.
Close to top private schools, it’s zoned for double grammar, Remuera Intermediate and Remuera School. Their son started at the latter aged 5 and he and his parents feeling it’s wonderful. “He burst into tears when we told him we were going back to Sydney.”
The family walks up Mt Hobson and father and son love having Dunholme Tennis Club in their street. “We’re close to Remuera’s main street and to Newmarket, where we’ll take our children to the movies.”
Their nearly 400sqm home spreads over two levels plus a garage level, on 898sqm relatively low-maintenance grounds including a decent sized backyard. The home’s cladding is the premium masonry product Hebel, its superior thermal insulation keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer.
The foyer introduces visitors to a striking, double-height lounge showcasing beautiful French oak flooring and a gas fireplace. Photo / Supplied
The family room-dining-gourmet kitchen flows out to a sun-blessed front deck ideal for alfresco dining. Photo / Supplied
Despite the residence having just been renovated when they bought, their multitude of improvements include upgrading the SunFlow underfloor heating system, which provides pleasantly ambient temperature year-round, and full resurfacing of all roof surfaces (with a lengthy warranty).
They installed a new driveway gate with intercom, security system and cameras, upgraded the Wi-Fi system and installed French linen curtains and blinds throughout. The heated swimming pool which their son and daughter adore precedes the home, re-sealed by them, elevated for privacy and lapping up northerly sun.
Off-street parking accompanies the front internal-access double garage and pedestrians walk up side steps to the front door. The foyer introduces visitors to the space Rebecca feels is striking, a double-height lounge showcasing beautiful French oak flooring and a gas fireplace, with its soaring ceiling with double-height curtains bestowing a sense of drama.
“It’s just beautiful, great for entertaining. We all, as a family, read our books at night in that room,” says Rebecca.
A bank of doors opens to a very private side patio, nice for secluded evening drinks. Neighbouring this lounge is the front-of-house family room-dining-gourmet kitchen with marble-clad island.
The upper level’s front primary suite has a view over other homes towards Arney Crescent. Photo / Supplied
The residence has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, garaging and off-street parking, multiple living areas, decking and a swimming pool. Photo / Supplied
This flows out to a sun-blessed front deck ideal for alfresco dining, from where you can admire the swimming pool. A bedroom wing houses three bedrooms, a family bathroom and separate laundry.
The upper level’s front primary suite has a marble-clad ensuite, duo of walk-in wardrobes and an office just outside.
Rebecca says: “It’s really large and as it’s up quite high it has a spectacular view over other homes towards Arney Crescent.”
Many metres down the hall, an ensuited bedroom with lounge is suitable for guests, extended family or a nanny. “This house is special and we’re sad to leave it.”
Bayleys agent Gary Wallace says: “Immaculately presented, this family home constructed with Hebel high performance masonry block offers superb contemporary living in a premium Remuera northern slopes location.”
- 30 Ridings Road in Remuera, Auckland, is for sale, deadline closing July 16
