They’d already lived at two addresses in this popular eastern bays Auckland street, so David and Jill, owners of this recently completed executive residence, had a good feel for the neighbourhood when they purchased the site, which originally had an older home, in need of refurbishment, situated at the front.
“When we saw how good the views were, we purchased the property, and moved that house off, to start from scratch with an open template,” says David.
Some of the couple’s original ideas were modified as the design was gradually fine-tuned, around the early 2020s lockdowns.
“We had planned to have four bedrooms on the ground floor, with one of them as an office, but we eventually decided to make it two bedrooms and a very large living and media room,” David explains.
Start your property search
Also on this level is the double garage, a truly luxurious laundry plus a bathroom and two decks.
David says that the high stud – 3.5m in the garage and 3m elsewhere downstairs – meant that the upstairs level (with a 4m stud) had the most spectacular and unfettered views it could possibly enjoy, taking in the harbour and across to North Head.
“And because the entrance has such an open feel about it, we settled on floating stairs, which look great.”
He says they also included a lift, as future-proofing for old age – and for moving groceries from the car to the kitchen. The upper level features an enormous, combined kitchen, dining and family room with a sunny balcony for alfresco meals outside.
The upper level features an enormous, combined kitchen, dining and family room with a sunny balcony for alfresco meals outside. Photo / Supplied
The 301sqm residence sits on a compact 422sqm section with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple living areas and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
David says that they chose to use some more unusual materials in certain parts of the house. “For example, the balustrades are alloy rather than wood and, in the entrance, we have plastered walls with a natural Venetian-style effect.”
He says that the well-equipped designer kitchen features a large central island to which friends and family tend to gravitate. “In fact, we find ourselves eating most meals there.”
Meanwhile the couple’s primary bedroom enjoys a large walk-through dressing room and luxurious ensuite while the general bathroom, adjacent, is also cool and contemporary.
Having finished their build and being rightfully very proud of it, David and Jill have made a difficult decision to move.
The floating stairs complement the “open feel” of the entrance. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Peter Cleave says: “This was an extremely thoughtful and well-executed build.” Photo / Supplied
“We love it, but the grandkids wanted a pool and some of our needs are changing,” says David. “We’ll miss Coates Avenue, our nice neighbours, and the easy walk to the beach and local coffee shops. There’s regular public transport access to the CBD too.”
Peter Cleave, the listing agent, says that quality homes built by their owners are always well-received by prospective buyers because of the extra quality and thought that go into them.
“The home is very highly spec’ed and there is flexibility downstairs to split the media room easily into another bedroom plus an office, if someone wished to do that.”
He says that the landscaping is easy-care and the lawns are TigerTurf, so no mowing is required. “This was an extremely thoughtful and well-executed build.”
115A Coates Avenue in Orakei, Auckland, is on the market for sale and heads to auction on March 11.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
