“When my 50th birthday was coming up, I thought how good it would be to have Sir John Rowles perform for us,” says Shayne Hodge, who bought this large, landmark Lowry Bay beauty – dating from the early 1900s – with his wife Lyn, 23 years ago.
“I figured if you don’t ask you don’t get.” To Shayne’s amazement, the easy-listening legend actually said “yes”. “So, it was a pretty memorable night, as you can imagine!”
That celebration was just one of many the couple and their now grown-up children have enjoyed over almost quarter of a century in residence.
Lyn had originally seen the property from a top deck of a bus and fell in love immediately. When it coincidentally became available – soon afterwards, she and Shayne wasted no time signing up.
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“It had only been home to three or four previous families and various things had been done over the years, that didn’t really fit, including the installation of a 1970s kitchen,” says Shayne.
He and Lyn had a much broader vision and engaged Studio Pacific Architecture to reimagine the home, with its direct water access, keeping the core character features, while creating large spaces to cater for a contemporary Kiwi seaside lifestyle.
It now boasts a pool and spa, a full tennis court, gym, steam room, and a substantial home office above the generous double garage, which Shayne and Lyn had moved to its current position.
The main property has a selection of living and dining spaces on the ground floor – including a formal dining room, formal living and more relaxed rooms incorporating casual dining, the fully equipped home theatre, plus a cosy TV snug.
The Lower Hutt property has a 440sqm residence with seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, multiple living areas and garaging, as well as a swimming pool and tennis court on a 2072sqm section. Photo / Supplied
The owners engaged Studio Pacific Architecture to reimagine the home, creating large spaces for a contemporary Kiwi seaside lifestyle. Photo / Supplied
On the ground floor is a formal dining room, formal living and casual dining, a fully equipped home theatre plus a cosy TV snug. Photo / Supplied
A big, bright, modern kitchen is a natural point for family or guests to congregate, and Shayne and Lyn cleverly included their master suite on this level so they could continue entertaining, once their children were asleep in the three bedrooms upstairs, one with an ensuite, along with a family bathroom, and one has its own deck.
The guest cottage offers another three bedrooms and was once the stables, serving later as lodgings for a previous doctor owner’s domestic staff. Beautifully self-contained, Shayne says the cottage is used a lot.
“We’ve had guests in there and our daughter even called it home for a while. It offers perfect privacy with lots of living space and two bathrooms.”
The much-anticipated new coastal walkway and cycleway has helped make Eastbourne more accessible than ever and 222 Marine Drive offers what Shayne describes as the best of both worlds, with its sensational water views and village atmosphere.
“I can be in the CBD in about 20 minutes by road but there’s also a ferry service in summer.”
Bayleys agent Matt Hourigan: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own one of Wellington’s most impressive waterfront properties.” Photo / Supplied
The owners are selling and moving north to be closer to family. Photo / Supplied
He and Lyn are moving north to be closer to children and grandchildren.
Bayleys agent Matt Hourigan is marketing the property with co-agent Ann Curtis and notes that there are many aspects to this property that really set it apart.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own one of Wellington’s most impressive waterfront properties. This truly remarkable residence offers a lifestyle few can rival,” he says.
“The home is set amidst expansive grounds and bathed in all-day sun. It’s an idyllic setting, perfectly suited to families who love to entertain and embrace the outdoors,” adds Ann.
222 Marine Drive in Lowry Bay, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, is for sale by tender, deadline December 2.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
