Standing proud on a large, elevated corner site in Army Bay with sweeping Pacific Ocean views, 51 Pacific Parade was completed in 2005 to a design by Auckland architect Gerrad Hall who won a 2007 New Zealand Institute of Architects award for his work on it.
The home, with a current ratings valuation of $3.575 million, is now on the market for sale via tender, closing July 1.
The original owners had briefed Hall very broadly, based upon their need for space as a family and a desire for something truly peaceful.
This resulted in an elegant concrete block and cedar, Japanese-style, zen-inspired design comprising 540sqm set over two levels with lots of seamless indoor-outdoor flow to large decks and patios.
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The home, which last changed hands in 2013 for $2.075m, also features an impressive pool complex is reached via a dramatic foyer on the ground floor. To its left lies the enormous kitchen, dining and living area.
Keen cooks will appreciate the high-quality Gaggenau appliances and what feels like acres of black granite benchtop.
The home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a double garage, plus multiple living spaces. Photo / Supplied
The Japanese features incorporated by Hall include intriguing ceiling features inspired by bento lunch boxes, and clever touches with textured concrete, which in some cases reference traditional origami folds.
Also on the ground floor is the home cinema, with screen cavity dividers, a guest bedroom, bathroom, laundry and storage room.
Extensive use of wood adds character and atmosphere and there’s also a spacious double garage.
On the second level of the home are another four bedrooms (or three bedrooms plus a rumpus) including the master suite which has an
ultra-luxe bathroom with a sunken bath plus an authentic Japanese-style low bed. The suite has a dressing room and its own private deck, and the ambiance throughout is easily on par with a five-star hotel.
The award-winning Army Bay property in Whangaparaoa has sweeping Pacific Ocean views. Photo / Supplied
The Japanese features incorporated include intriguing ceiling features and clever touches with textured concrete. Photo / Supplied
The current owner and his wife, who are successful businesspeople, based on the south-east coast of England, couldn’t believe their luck when they discovered the property and bought it in 2013 – going on to spend two months each year in residence – every February and March, until border closures due to Covid scuttled their annual getaway tradition.
“We’re so sad that we haven’t been able to get back for the last couple of late summers,” he says. “We just love the calmness and simplicity – and all the space, of course.”
Due to ongoing global uncertainty the couple recently made a very difficult decision and are selling their precious Kiwi retreat. “It really epitomises New Zealand for us.”
The zen-inspired design comprising 540sqm with seamless indoor-outdoor flow to large decks and patios. Photo / Supplied
Roger Sumich of Bayleys, Orewa, who is marketing the property, says that Army Bay is rapidly increasing in popularity and this prize, fully landscaped property is something special.
“It’s the scale of it, the quality, and the fact that to recreate it – to the same high standards – you’d be looking at least $7 million or so, while the RV for this property is under $3.6m, which means somebody is going to get a great buy here and you’d never believe that it’s 18 years old.”
