Living the Kiwi dream doesn’t get much better than this home at 63 Bay Road, Glendowie.
The owners spent three years searching for a property like this so when it finally came up, they grabbed it. The spacious open-plan one-level family home sits on an elevated single section, and has a massive backyard, pool, pergola and covered outdoor lounge with a gas fire.
The location for their young family was also perfect being a six-minute walk to the local primary school and a short 1km walk down the hill to St Heliers village. “It’s been incredible to stroll down to playgrounds, cafes and restaurants,” says the owner.
The original dwelling was built in the 1940s as a two-bedroom brick home and has been extended by subsequent owners to a spacious three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home, while keeping the 2.7m high stud.
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Since buying the home in 2019, they’ve made a lot of improvements. Adding an automatic gate at the front which has created a nice patio area to sit and enjoy the morning sun. They’ve double-glazed all the windows and upgraded the timber joinery to maintain the home’s character.
“The warmth of the house is incredible. We no longer need to use proper winter duvets.”
Solar panels have also been added which heat the swimming pool and charge the electric car. If they’re away on holiday for a couple of weeks, they get their power back for that period by selling it back to the grid.
The outdoor area has also been professionally landscaped with new plantings. The back lawn, which was on a gentle slope, has been levelled making it a great space for soccer games as well as room for a trampoline.
“We haven’t needed to extend the building or do anything radical. It feels like a home that’s always been well maintained and we’ve kept it that way.”
The most notable thing about this property is the size of the outdoor areas and open plan, easy flow down to a beautiful garden, deck, full lawn and pool. “The backyard is just huge and we’ve had numerous birthday parties and kids pool parties.”
The light-filled and larger-than-normal open-plan kitchen connects to the living room and outdoors. Photo / Supplied
The 214sqm residence has three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, multiple living areas, swimming pool, pergola and a massive backyard. Photo / Supplied
A feature is the wisteria-covered pergola where they’ve enjoyed many outdoor dinners. A mass of purple flowers in spring and a green-walled living room in summer. During the warmer months much time is spent here and living around the pool area which captures the afternoon sun.
On cooler nights, the outdoor lounge with its large gas fire is a great place for relaxing with a cuppa and playing board games, or enjoying a wine with friends.
The light-filled and larger than normal open plan kitchen has two ovens, double door fridge, oodles of bench and storage space and island. The kitchen also connects to the living room and outdoors, providing natural indoor/outdoor flow and handy for eating alfresco and entertaining.
“With two boys who are charging into the kitchen for snacks all the time, it’s the size of kitchen where you’re not running into other people.”
There’s also separation of the bedrooms, and the master bedroom enjoys a view to the west and wonderful sunsets.
“We love the openness of the house and the single level has been brilliant for the kids because you’re not going up and down stairs, and you can see the kids from wherever you are. It all flows and it’s all easy.”
The wisteria-covered pergola is a mass of purple flowers in spring and a green-walled living room in summer. Photo / Supplied
The owners have made a lot of improvements since buying the home in 2019, including adding an automatic gate at the front and double-glazing all the windows. Photo / Supplied
Storage is also ample with an enormous attic space above the internal access garage, which the family are currently using for storing useful boxes including bike boxes and outdoor cushions.
They’re not quite sure where they are going to put it all in the new home that they have purchased a short drive away. The reason for the move is that they’ve bought a similar character home that’s closer in proximity to their parents which is handy with two lads under five.
“This is a lovely 1940s masonry family home all on one level, in an elevated position which is a rare find, combined with the fantastic indoor/outdoor flow to flat lawn and pool that all families want,” says Myles Cleave, of Bayleys.
“It’s a fantastic location. Walking distance to the local public schools at Churchill Park Primary and Glendowie College and also St Heliers Village and beach.”
63 Bay Road in Glendowie, Auckland, heads to auction on September 23.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
