Working as a real estate agent, Sharine longed to come home to a property that felt like a luxurious private resort, with a generous, functional layout that would suit her family.
The solution was this Cape Cod-style home she and husband Chris moved into with their three daughters in 2019, quietly secreted away down a long, hedge-lined driveway, luxuriating in breathtaking, wide seascape views.
Sharine says: “Because I’m a real estate agent and we work seven days a week, I wanted to feel like we were on holiday at home. With the outstanding views here, the swimming pool and spa and subtropical planting, you feel like you’re permanently on holiday.
“Our daughters were early teens when we bought here and we wanted to find somewhere with all the bedrooms on the same level and all a decent size, and that keeps things harmonious.”
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Originally designed and meticulously constructed in 2003 by Crofton Umbers Design, this remarkable home boasts timeless cedar weatherboards, beautifully accented by crisp white box architraves, dual porthole windows and iconic Otago schist features.
Chris says: “The views are just magical and bowl you over.
“We pretty much get an 180-degree view of the harbour and all the islands, including Rangitoto. If you look to the left you see Eastern Beach and if you look to the right you see Maraetai and Beachlands, right down the coast.”
The view, which many boats and the ferry from Beachlands goes back and forth across, was brilliantly orientated to watch a couple of America’s Cup races.
Most of the living spaces are upstairs for the view and the home easily hosts large-scale entertaining. Photo / Supplied
Designed and constructed in 2003 by Crofton Umbers Design, the home has cedar weatherboards, beautifully accented by crisp white box architraves, dual porthole windows and iconic Otago schist. Photo / Supplied
“The views are just magical and bowl you over,” says one the owners. Photo / Supplied
Their fishing-enthusiast painter who recently painted and re-stained the 390sqm home inside and out, often spotted big work-ups, with birds raining down from the sky to pick off fish near the surface.
Set about 100m down the driveway off a quiet street, its 1363sqm of land allows for plentiful open-air parking, bolstering the internal-access double garage.
Most of the living spaces are upstairs for the view and the home easily hosts large-scale entertaining. The kitchen-family-dining room with large, granite-topped kitchen island and an additional lounge with cosy gas fireplace, flow out to two decks, the larger one partially covered.
The study on this level, near a powder room, can alternately be a fifth bedroom.
Thoughtful design orients the entry level’s ensuited primary bedroom with walk-in wardrobe for the view, positioning it away from the other three bedrooms and family bathroom.
The Cape Cod-style Mellons Bay home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, double garaging, multiple living areas, decking and a pool, and entertaining zones. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen-family-dining room has a large, granite-topped kitchen island and storage. Photo / Supplied
The commanding entrance with its high ceilings sets the tone for what’s to come inside. Photo / Supplied
The resort-style swimming pool and spa, bathed in sun on fine days, can easily be accessed from this level and from the lower level’s games room with kitchenette.
The kids can walk to the highly regarded Macleans College in about 10 minutes, e-scooter easily to Highland Park or around the Bucklands Beach peninsula. They enjoyed the proximity to Botany Town Centre and Sylvia Park, while their parents often pop into Howick, which is only three minutes’ drive away.
When one of the family is going into the central city, they often take the Half Moon Bay Ferry, reading or working and arriving rejuvenated. Seven years on, the girls are all away at university, so the couple will downsize and travel.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Anna An says: “With sweeping sea views, a highly functional layout, coveted Macleans College zoning and a current RV of $3.5million, this is a substantial home with enduring appeal.”
243A Bleakhouse Road in Mellons Bay, Manukau, is on the market, auction on October 28.
- Sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson
