Perched in the treehouse they’d built their sons, the owners of this home saw the glorious elevated harbour views they’d capture if they built it at the northern end of a larger section.
They subdivided off this 494sqm section, sold the residence next door and architect Jackie Sue designed their dream home for modern Eastern Bay’s living.
One of the owners says: “We bought the larger property in 2004 so we’ve been in Orakei for 22 years and it’s been wonderful. We sensed we’d get a great view from the far end of that property but being up in the treehouse we got an idea of just how good it’d be.
“We moved in here in 2019, when our sons were in their teens and it’s been a brilliant home for them. We look out to Orakei Reserve, which the boys treated as their backyard, straight across to Bastion Point and out across the harbour to North Head and Mt Victoria. We love the sea and I enjoy running around the waterfront.”
Start your property search
They’d seen beautiful houses designed by Jackie Sue and heard her clients sing her praises.
“We just had the best experience with this home. We loved Jackie’s ideas and used Salamander Build, who she works with often, who were fantastic too. The craftmanship is great and the house is extremely well designed, with windows thoughtfully positioned to maximise the outlook while maintaining privacy.
“Because we’re elevated, looking out at a lot of our neighbours’ trees, you feel a bit like you’re living in an elevated treehouse, looking out to sea.”
Set down a gated driveway with off-street parking and an internal-access double garage, the 286sqm home’s exterior teams black steel, cedar and concrete block, exposed in some interior walls.
The boys have appreciated being able to hang out with mates in their own lounge on the ground floor, accompanied by two bedrooms and their bathroom.
The upstairs lounge-dining-kitchen and adjoining living room luxuriate in views and sun. Photo / Supplied
44A Tautari Street has a 286sqm floor plan on a 494sqm section with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
Upstairs’ northerly-facing lounge-dining-kitchen (which extends into a partly concealed half-galley which conceals mess) and an adjoining living room luxuriate in views and sun. Light American oak flooring accompanies the bespoke American oak kitchen one of the owners loves cooking in, meticulously executed by Form Design.
Massive sliding glass doors open right up sides of the lounge and the other living room, blurring the boundary between outside and in.
“We never tire of the view, watching beautifully coloured sailboats going by and glorious sunsets. When cruise ships go past, there’s a bit of an optical illusion as they seem to dwarf Bastion Point.”
Living flows out to a partially covered deck with hot tub and a much-loved swimming pool admiring the view, accompanied by quality artificial grass for maintenance-free lushness.
“This house is particularly quiet, although we do enjoy hearing the sounds floating up from cricket games in the reserve in summer.”
The home was designed by architect Jackie Sue and built by Salamander Build. Photo / Supplied
“We never tire of the view, watching beautifully coloured sailboats going by and glorious sunsets,” the owners say. Photo / Supplied
The ensuited master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe accompanies another bedroom and bathroom on this level plus two offices.
They’ve appreciated having nearby the Eastern Bays beaches, Coates Ave’s shops and cafes and Eastridge Shopping centre, with its diverse eateries. Orakei Bay Village is nearby and they’ve used the Orakei Train Station to nip into the CBD.
Sons having left home to study, the owners are ready for their next chapter in property.
Bayleys agent Peter Cleave says: “There is such a shortage of these kinds of modern homes available at this price point, especially in this amazing position and in the heart of Orakei. The cost to build this home today would far exceed this opportunity.”
44A Tautari Street in Orakei, Auckland, is on the market for sale, by auction on September 3.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
