The tranquil haven of a 12.88ha, multi-dwelling estate, incorporating a bespoke modern residence, is secreted away on picturesque grounds less than 15 minutes’ drive from New Lynn, Henderson and Titirangi.
Owners Yvette and Simon bought this Oratia property 18 years ago, from the Catholic Church who had run the property as an educational camp called Knock ’na Gree, since 1939.
Yvette says: “We had been living in a villa on a half-site in Western Springs and wanted to get out of the rat race to live somewhere beautiful, peaceful and ripe with opportunity to raise our family. We could see the possibilities embodied in this versatile unique property; a sanctuary with meandering trails through native bush, wide open spaces and exotic trees producing spectacular seasonal colour.
“We were excited to move here with our two young daughters, and made lots of Grand Design plans over the years, while I managed the property and Simon was involved in growing several other businesses. We’ve created our own bespoke four-bedroom family home, with friends living in the three-bedroom bungalow relocated here five years before we bought, and in the contemporary two-bedroom cottage we rebuilt replacing the old caretaker’s house.”
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It takes less than 25 minutes off-peak to drive the 20km route from this serene sanctuary to Auckland’s CBD, with the option of jumping on a train at Sunnyvale Train Station five minutes’ drive away. The driveway is nearly 1km long, crossing over a bridge with sculptural guardrails they commissioned acclaimed blacksmith-artist Chris Moore to craft, passing over the gently flowing Oratia Stream.
It then winds up through the grounds to the buildings at the end. The grounds include a professional-grade disc golf course; a sport Simon is passionate about.
The family had Strachan Group Architects conceive the layout of their striking two-storey four-bedroom home, which has a modern rustic aesthetic. Drawing on Yvette’s design background, it deftly combines modern convenience with antiques and other treasured elements, creating an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication.
The owners had Strachan Group Architects conceive the layout of their striking two-storey four-bedroom home, which has a modern rustic aesthetic. Photo / Supplied
NZ Sotheby’s agent Jesse Hooper says: “This incredibly special, versatile estate with multiple dwellings offers bliss and tranquillity, along with the capability to accommodate multi-generational families.” Photo / Supplied
Soaring cedar ceilings are teamed with abundant windows, burnt black feature walls and bespoke gems such as an ancient Egyptian metal gates reborn as upper-level balustrading. A spacious living-dining-contemporary kitchen with scullery features darkly-hued pressed tin panelling and flows out to a barbecue area and deck.
Heated concrete floors teamed with both strikingly modern and vintage lights and feature walls of beautiful, repurposed timber create an overall harmony that has been carefully curated but feels textural, balanced and natural.
The abundant floor plan includes two other living areas, an office, and three bathrooms including the master bedroom’s ensuite. The three-bedroom bungalow, smartly painted grey, has a kitchen-living-dining-room opening to a deck, two bathrooms a study and a laundry.
The new-build cottage completed in 2023, has a modern black stained exterior, a kitchen-living-dining flowing out to a large deck plus two bedrooms and a bathroom-laundry.
The main residence deftly combines modern convenience with antiques and other treasured elements, creating an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication. Photo / Supplied
Soaring cedar ceilings are teamed with abundant windows, burnt black feature walls and bespoke gems such as an ancient Egyptian metal gates reborn as upper-level balustrading. Photo / Supplied
Other buildings onsite which have underpinned a successful retreat centre include a main hall which sleeps 26 people with bathrooms, a commercial scale kitchen with dining facilities, and the Lodge making guest capacity 40. Future possibilities for this versatile property with picturesque land and multiple dwellings are endless.
Now the couple’s daughters are adults, friends living onsite are relocating out of Auckland, and they want to fulfil burgeoning desires to travel, so they are downsizing.
NZ Sotheby’s agent Jesse Hooper says: “This incredibly special, versatile estate with multiple dwellings offers bliss and tranquillity, along with the capability to accommodate multi-generational families. It can be enjoyed as a family estate, an income-generating venture or purchased as a long-term landholding of rarely-found quality.”
581 West Coast Road in Ōratia, Waitākere, Auckland, is on the market for sale by tender, closing November 17.
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