It was delight, not dejavu, in 2017 when Tracy and George purchased this property discreetly backing on to Meadowbank’s Rutherford Reserve after renovating and selling another property which also backed onto it.
They still enjoy the reserve, with their schnoodle Leo, but now from an extremely private, north-facing, renovated family home on 1283sqm, with sparkling pool, spa, cabana and landscaped oasis.
Tracy says: “We call it Rutherford Resort. It’s like a hidden retreat in the heart of Meadowbank. You feel like you’re on holiday every time you look out across the front deck. When people come into the home for the first time, it’s a ‘wow’ moment.
“They’re not expecting it to be so light-filled, thanks to all the glass, or expecting the resort-like facilities, spectacular outlook and setting, with park access. There’s a wonderful sense of peace and of being close to nature, waking to the sound of birds and watching tuis fly over the swimming pool.”
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Rather than compromising when they couldn’t find what they wanted after their previous sale, they rented and viewed lots of potential properties, none right. They eventually bought here nine years ago, when the younger two of their four now-adult children were still at home.
They believe the 1950s home was one of the earliest built in previously rural Meadowbank, nowadays boasting among the suburb’s largest sections with a single dwelling. The couple like mid-century architecture, appreciating past sympathetic extension into three levels.
From the road you see the introduction to the home, encompassing the property’s attractive stand-alone double garage. Its 36sqm is additional to the house size, the two totalling 270sqm.
The home is clad predominantly in board-and-batten timber, with some brick, both previously painted green. They repainted in a charcoal-grey from Resene’s Cool Colour range, crisply teamed with white wooden joinery and their zesty orange front door.
Their myriad other upgrades include reroofing, insulating, upgrading plumbing and wiring, adding solar water heating and landscaping extensively. They reconfigured downstairs, improved storage and replaced appliances, heat pumps, pool pumps and more.
The 234sqm residence has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living areas and a 36sqm stand-alone double garage. Photo / Supplied
The home sits on 1283sqm of land enveloped by greenery and backs on to Rutherford Reserve. Photo / Supplied
“It’s a versatile property, with many areas for families and different ages to enjoy, both outside and in.”
The foyer introduces an entertainer’s kitchen-dining room and an adjoining lounge with original fireplace in a mid-century stone surround. Light floods in through floor-to-ceiling windows and these areas open to front decking and an alfresco entertaining patio, revelling in the idyllic outlook.
“It’s brilliant for entertaining and the sunsets can be spectacular.”
To the east is the ensuited primary bedroom with walk-in wardrobe, to the west a bathroom and bedroom. Upstairs the third bathroom serves two more bedrooms. Downstairs’ media room-rumpus, able to also accommodate a home office or some home gym equipment, accompanies a powder room-laundry, workshop and storage-utility rooms.
It’s restful lounging alongside the 50sqm heated saltwater swimming pool and even nicer swimming. “Our grandchildren have learnt to swim in it.”
From the foyer is the kitchen-dining room and adjoining lounge with original fireplace. Photo / Supplied
Ray White agent Richard Thode says: “This is a private oasis of family living, north-facing and on a great street.” Photo / Supplied
An outdoor shower, spa pool and covered cabana are nearby. There’s also a firepit area, a front tropical garden, patio and lawn plus volcanic rock feature walls outdoors.
George has landscaped the parkwards boardwalk and path so well, a film crew shooting a fashion ad on-site called that area “Little Bali”. The property has a ring security system and the path isn’t discernible from the peaceful park. The reserve has a playground, flying fox and expansive lawn. Meadowbank Shopping Centre is just two minutes’ drive away.
Now empty-nesters, Tracy and George plan to downsize.
Ray White agent Richard Thode says: “This is a private oasis of family living, north facing and on a great street.”
- 48 Rutherford Terrace in Meadowbank, Auckland, is on the market for sale by a set date
