Builder Wayne Hosking and his wife Liz deliberated over every detail when creating their own striking home in a superb location by the water in Riverhead.
“We saw this section, absolutely loved its location and aspect and position right near the water and made an offer on it that day,” Hosking says.
He owns Hoskins Builders with one of his sons and they built this home at 3 Kent Street in Riverhead, Rodney.
Hosking and Liz chose Nick Rowe Architecture to design this residence, having been impressed when he’d worked with him for clients.
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The vendors have seen dolphins, a whale and a leopard seal from their home. Photo / Supplied
The couple stipulated some core elements but gave him a fairly open brief for this home, which was completed around five years ago.
“We’ve ended up with a beautiful newish home with lots of space, looking out at the water in the old part of Riverhead,” Hosking says.
They’ve relished this special location where they share the grass frontage and little pier by the water with one other neighbour.
“It’s our little spot where we swim from and sometimes head out on the Rangitopuni River to catch snapper. We spend so much time on the deck staring at the water and looking across to farmland in the distance.
The massive skylight above the open-plan living-dining-kitchen zone is the largest of four throughout the home. Photo / Supplied
“We’ve seen dolphins, a whale and a leopard seal and when the tide is out the birdlife is amazing to watch.”
The distinctive home on 855sqm is often admired by passers-by. It’s comprised of two barn-like wings with gabled roofs connected by a stunning central living pavilion which opens up wide on both sides, blurring the boundaries between outdoors and in.
A premium COLORSTEEL cladding with a distinctive profile, suitable for its sea spray environment is teamed with cedar, with many other premium materials throughout.
Highly engineered foundations were special designed so as not to impede the growth of an ancient kahikatea tree onsite.
3 Kent Street shares the grass frontage and little pier by the water with a neighbour. Photo / Supplied
A front central double-skinned brick wall was carefully crafted, creating the front courtyard and adding privacy to the home. “We hunted down and hand-cleaned a lot of old red bricks for that.”
The expansive open-plan living-dining-kitchen showcases polished concrete floors, a wood burner and an entertainers’ kitchen with stainless benches.
The massive skylight above is the largest of four throughout the home.
Doors on the water-facing side of the pavilion peel back to create a six-metre opening to the north-facing deck, which incorporates a specially-designed spa pool area. There’s an additional lounge.
The vendors wake to tranquil water views from the ensuited master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe. Photo / Supplied
The couple wake to tranquil water views from the ensuited master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe. This enjoys nice separation from the other two bedrooms flanking a bathroom.
These are fronted by the internal-access double garage which is bolstered by off-street parking. The home features a sound system and two ducted heat pump systems as well as the wood burner.
Its lower floor incorporates a third bathroom. It’s predominantly been used for a gym set-up and for storage related to Hosking’s work but future owners could explore developing it further.
The couple adore this property with its path down to the water but are moving up the coast to be closer to family.
The cladding outside, which gives 3 Kent Street a distinctive profile, is suitable for its sea spray environment. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Chris Head, who is marketing this property with Angela Rudling, says: “This beautifully crafted home has been crafted fairly recently by its accomplished builder-owner, who has spared no expense to create something truly special by the water in this sought after ‘old Riverhead’ location.”
3 Kent Street in Riverhead, Rodney will be sold at auction on March 2.
