At the time their children were finishing university, Hugo and Carina Meares found themselves sitting in a home in Auckland suburbia when they really wanted to be in Ponsonby or Herne Bay.
“We thought if we don’t do it now we might be sitting here forever.”
They were tempted by the tempo of life energised by Jervois Road and Ponsonby’s food and retail culture, not to mention the ease of access to motorways, buses, the coast, and the city.
So nine years ago they bought an ‘80s brick townhouse at 5/6 Curran Street in Herne Bay, Auckland which, Hugo says, was at the bottom of its rejuvenation cycle.
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But on the plus side, it was spacious, sunny and functional with tons of storage, seven decks and splendid views.
It needed roofing work and a new paint job which were quickly dealt with.
The texture and colour of the exterior bricks and the interior tiled floors worked perfectly with the couple’s personal style.
“We love wood and our mid-century furniture all fitted in.”
The north-facing house is, Hugo says, the sunniest place he’s ever lived in.
Tiled floors supply passive solar heating which in winter is boosted by four sets of underfloor heating, and in summer the design of the house keeps it cool.
Set over three levels, it has three bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms and a separate laundry.
And the clincher for Hugo and Carina was the fully lockable garage with storage.
On the ground floor, slatted timber screens create a smart, private entryway.
The intelligent floorplan integrates the interior's open-plan living areas and modern kitchen with the Mediterranean-inspired alfresco settings, so indoor/outdoor living is easy.
Oversized bifolds open the kitchen and dining area to the outdoors, and there’s another exit from the kitchen to the back garden, giving access to a covered patio.
Decking along the north-facing facade provides a number of outdoor entertaining areas.
Two spacious bedrooms with decks, a tiled bathroom with a bath and shower over and a study occupy the second level, while the master suite enjoys the privacy of the top floor.
It has a four-metre-long walk-in wardrobe and a stylish tiled ensuite with a spacious walk-in shower.
Bifolds open the room to the balcony, which amplifies the pleasure of views spanning the Waitemata Harbour, the harbour bridge and the Sky Tower.
“Last night we watched the moon over the bay, and this morning we saw the dawn breaking over Rangitoto,” Hugo says.
“It’s constantly dynamic. There’s night racing on the harbour and I’m a sailor so that’s pretty special.”
Also special is the garden with its fully-fenced outdoor living areas and lawn.
“It’s great for little kids and dogs,” Hugo says. “I call it the perfect Jervois Road dog cruising house.”
5/6 Curran Street in Herne Bay goes to auction on August 4.
The property is being marketed by Paul Grace and Angela Saunders of Ray White, Ponsonby.
