This Mission Bay home has absolutely earned the designation “family forever home”, but 18 years ago it was more like half of one.
When Graham and Jay bought here in late 2008 it was halfway through the previous owner’s major renovation-extension, which they took on and completed, later doing a more minor renovation.
Graham says: “What’s unusual about this property now is its combination of attributes. It’s an architecturally-designed home with a wide north-facing frontage, great indoor-outdoor flow, a view of Rangitoto and a swimming pool, privately set on a large, flat land.
“All four bedrooms have ensuites and there’s nice separation between living areas. And it has proved to be very adaptable to our needs.
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“We moved in with our 1-year-old twins after completing the home and the property has been fantastic ever since, as they grew up and left home. They were upstairs with us when they were little and moved downstairs when older.”
The couple relocated from London to raise the twins here, renting until renovations were completed. They often take the 10-minute walk to Mission Bay Beach and find it convenient to get into Central Auckland, where both walk.
Patteson Reserve’s playground is 200m away, Eastridge just over 10 minutes’ walk and there’s a walking bus to Kohimarama School, about 1km away.
Number 65A is privately set well back from the road, down its own gently sloping driveway with auto-gates. The 1039sqm property looked barren when they bought, but now has mature gardens including trees, level lawn and raised rear vegetable gardens.
Graham says: “There’s been plenty of room for the trampoline, playing cricket and the heated swimming pool we put in to replace an older kidney-shaped one.”
Skylights illuminate the light-filled interior further. Photo / Supplied
The north-facing entertainers’ kitchen flows seamlessly to the dining-living area. Photo / Supplied
The 319sqm two-storey home is clad in weatherboards along its wide frontage and upstairs, with rendered brick elsewhere.
Skylights illuminate the light-filled interior further, accompanying rooftop solar panels. Their energy can be used as an alternative to the pool’s heat pump and for the home, any excess fed back into the grid.
Open-air parking supplements the internal access-double garage.
Guvnor Group Construction did their first renovation and they rated their work highly so brought them back for a more recent one. This created a dedicated laundry but more importantly replaced narrow, tucked-away stairs with floating oak ones, prominent upon entry and from other key areas.
Ray White agent Harry Champtaloup says: “Places like this are hard to find; a pancake-flat, north-facing site on the ridgeline with gun-barrel harbour views to Rangitoto Island.” Photo / Supplied
Jay says: “Visually the stairs are amazing and are what people comment on most.”
Graham adds: “The structural engineering that went into them was amazing too.”
Solid oak flooring graces the foyer, hallways and the north-facing entertainers’ kitchen-dining-living area along the front of the home. The inverted U-shape formed by this open-plan expanse, the end family room and the hallway connecting them, opens right up. There’s effortless flow to the deck overlooking the pool, surrounded by these areas on three sides.
Jay says: “It’s great for entertaining. I think this property was a bit of a base for the whole neighbourhood’s teens for years too.”
The owners bought the home in late 2008 and completed the previous owner’s major renovation-extension. Photo / Supplied
The 1039sqm property has a 319sqm residence with four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
Two ensuited bedrooms, a powder room and an office (or fifth bedroom) complete this level. Upstairs, two ensuited bedrooms with walk-in wardrobes flank an open-to-below hallway, all enjoying views of Rangitoto.
Graham says: “The layout has been brilliant when we’ve had guests staying and when we had an au pair.”
The couple will downsize now the twins live overseas.
Ray White agent Harry Champtaloup says: “Places like this are hard to find; a pancake-flat, north-facing site on the ridgeline with gun-barrel harbour views to Rangitoto Island.
“The layout’s smart too, giving kids their own space while connecting around the central living and pool area.”
- 65A Patteson Avenue in Mission Bay, Auckland, goes to auction on March 25
