While the current owners were locked down in Queenstown during the early days of the pandemic, back in Auckland a major project was underway at their Sunnyhills home, which is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, just minutes from prestigious St Kentigern College.
Tradespeople worked when they were allowed, in a well-choreographed process, overseen by designer Sue Nauman whose work on their South Island home had impressed the couple.
The Auckland renovation was a complete transformation of the property they’d purchased in 2013, rather than simply a cosmetic update, the owners say, explaining that the interior was entirely stripped back and rebuilt completely, with careful attention paid to materials, lighting, craftsmanship and the all-important flow between the indoor and outdoor living spaces.
“We wanted to create a warm, relaxed and sophisticated family home with the feeling of a luxury resort.”
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Consistency was also important and a cohesive colour palette and range of materials, including stone, timber, and brass – used throughout, imbues the home with a sense of refined elegance, which begins at the handsome entrance, reached via a covered portico.
A sun-filled atrium, with a statement chandelier sets the scene inside, as the kitchen, dining and informal family area open up ahead, with a separate formal lounge adjacent.
Keen entertainers will love the kitchen which has bold stone surfaces with warm crown-cut timber veneer cabinetry, high-quality appliances including a double oven, and a pantry with abundant storage capacity.
The renovation of the home during Covid was a complete transformation, rather than simply a cosmetic update. Photo / Supplied
The living areas open out to extensive decking and dining areas, a spa and pool, plus well-established subtropical plantings. Photo / Supplied
The media room comes with sound-proofed walls. Photo / Supplied
Also, on this level lies a generous bedroom, a media room with sound-proofed walls and a fitted separate laundry behind the internal access three-car garage, plus carport. A large room opening to the pool is currently a gym but could potentially be repurposed in many ways.
The living areas open out to extensive decking, sheltered and unsheltered, relaxing and dining areas, a spa and a sparkling pool, plus well-established subtropical plantings, contributing to the “every day’s a holiday” vibe.
Back inside, the upstairs level contains the luxe master suite with walk-in wardrobe and a stunning tiled bathroom. Two further bedrooms share the main bathroom and there are pleasant views of the leafy neighbourhood.
“We didn’t change the footprint of the house, but we did enclose the home office up there,” says one of the owners.
A sun-filled atrium, with a statement chandelier sets the scene at the entrance. Photo / Supplied
The 429sqm residence sits on a 1000sqm section and has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, garaging and off-street parking, and multiple living areas. Photo / Supplied
Lawrence Liew, who is marketing the property, says that the couple has done an incredible job, and he’s rarely seen anything that compares in terms of style and quality.
“It’s also fantastic value for money when you think what a house of this calibre would cost, somewhere like Remuera. If a family has high school age kids, they will absolutely love living here. Plus, it has covenants in place, so you’ll never get 10 townhouses popping up next door!”
The owners are so delighted with what they’ve achieved at their Manor Park property, they’re planning to do it all over again. They won’t be moving far, they say, because they love East Auckland and especially Sunnyhills, with its easy access to motorways, a regular ferry service to the CBD and relaxed waterside lifestyle.
46 Manor Park in Sunnyhills, Manukau, Auckland, heads to auction on July 14.
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