Buying a property from overseas – sight unseen – with only a few photos to go by, was a true leap of faith, but Blockhouse Bay residents John and Michelle certainly don’t regret it now, 23 years later.
“We were incredibly lucky, it’s been amazing,” says John.
The weatherboard on cinder block house was built in the mid-1960s: “So it’s about as old as me,” he notes.
In terms of layout, the house – as it was then, worked well for a young family with two small girls and despite looking for a larger home some years later, the family couldn’t find anything nearly as nice as what they had already.
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“Plus, we really loved our neighbourhood, so we decided to do a major renovation and turn this into our absolute dream home,” says John.
The project included adding another storey to what had originally been a single-level dwelling, before being raised by a previous owner somewhere along the way.
By the time their own work was completed, John, Michelle and the girls found themselves with 293sqm of sun-drenched space for working, studying, resting and relaxing.
“We wanted it to feel like a resort, so every day is like a holiday,” John explains.
At basement level is the garage, a giant rumpus plus a study, workshop and laundry.
The 293sqm residence has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and single garaging plus off-street parking and a swimming pool on a 812sqm section. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen is smart and modern with a handy centre island and relaxed informal dining lies adjacent. Photo / Supplied
John and Michelle paid keen attention to detail, with a particular eye to creating large spaces for entertaining friends and family in open-plan living areas on the main level, which lead out to extensive decking.
High ceilings and large windows help maximise light at all times of the day. The kitchen is smart and modern with a handy centre island and relaxed informal dining lies adjacent. There are two very generous bedrooms along with a bathroom and separate powder room.
On the third level are another two extra-large bedrooms with wardrobe space and a shared bathroom, one of which enjoys views out to the Manukau Harbour.
Outside, sub-tropical plantings including well-established palms add to the vacation vibe and John says that the solar-heated pool has always had a lot of use – especially in summer while the spa pool adds another touch of luxury.
Ray White agent Gail Beaton says the home captures plenty of sunshine and is a short stroll to the beach. Photo / Supplied
Sub-tropical plantings including well-established palms add to the vacation vibe at the property. Photo / Supplied
John says that he and Michelle have become very close friends with their neighbours in the small, quiet cul-de-sac.
“Part of us would love to stay, but this is simply too big for us now and with our girls living in Europe we’d like more freedom to travel,” he says.
Agent Gail Beaton says properties of this nature and in this neighbourhood are a rare find.
“Capturing plenty of sunshine with sweeping views out to the Manukau Harbour, it’s a dream home for entertaining, plus it’s just a short stroll to the beach. The owners said there’s been a lot of laughter in this home, and many precious memories have been made.”
7 Barton Street East in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction to be held on March 12.
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