The day the Carrans moved into 20 Oscar Road in Greenhithe, North Shore City, two neighbours arrived with “welcome to the neighbourhood” baking within the hour.
Twenty-six years later, that close-knit community feeling remains.
“Neighbours care about each other here,” vendor Brian says. “Seldom do we drive out of Oscar Road without stopping to chat with or wave to a neighbour. The annual street get-together reminds us how lucky we are to live here. Greenhithe is a wonderful place to live.”
Oscar Road is one of the best streets in “old Greenhithe” and offers exclusive waterfront living enjoyed by only a select few homes in the area.
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Number 20 is a property that must be seen to be believed. A large mid-century modern-esque home anchors the enormous 5488sqm site which feels like it’s miles away from the rest of the North Shore.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors open to sprawling lawns and spectacular water and nature views, while solid timber floors and joinery ground the home to the surrounding estate. The home has been designed so virtually every room overlooks the manicured gardens or water views beyond.
“The original home built in 1967 was very clever, and when our architect Bruce Elton took charge of the rebuild in 2001, he followed the same thinking of spaces capturing the sun from all directions,” recalls Brian.
“To give it a sense of permanence, we added volcanic rock cladding and copper facias. We wanted it to look and feel like it was always meant to be here.”
Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors open to sprawling lawns and spectacular water and nature views. Photo / Supplied
The large mid-century modern-esque home anchors the enormous 5488sqm site which has 200 metres of water frontage with riparian rights. Photo / Supplied
Brian and his wife Cath have invested a huge amount of time and energy into creating a lush sanctuary outdoors too.
“We doggedly stuck with native landscaping and have never regretted that decision. Kauri and rimu trees that we planted over the years are now 30 metres tall. We’ve always had a vision that this place will live on long after we leave.”
The property includes 200 metres of water frontage with riparian rights.
“Lawns to run around on, bush to play hide n’ seek in, the pool to do bombs into, the river to get muddy in, canoeing, jet skiing ... they’re now in their 30s but our children have such fond memories of their childhood here.”
The Carrans have loved living in Greenhithe with its charming English village character. The property is close to the local Memorial Park, sports clubs, pony club and the small yet vibrant village with its coffee shop and pub.
The home has been designed so virtually every room overlooks the manicured gardens or water views beyond. Photo / Supplied
Homeowner Brian Carrans says: “To give it a sense of permanence, we added volcanic rock cladding and copper facias.” Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Ronelle Henning says 20 Oscar Road is in arguably the best position on the North Shore.
“The moment you arrive here, you feel like you’ve escaped everything,” she says. “The very best of New Zealand is here: beautiful water views, native birdsong, effortless connection to nature – it feels like you’re on an island or a resort, not 20 minutes from the heart of Auckland City.”
Wistfully, the time is right for Brian and Cath to entrust 20 Oscar Road to a new family.
“When you’re woken by tūī or go to sleep listening to moreporks, when you can live comfortably in your home with a deep sense of privacy and security, life is good. But it’s with a heavy heart that we move on from the magic that we’ve created here over the years. The time has come for, hopefully, another family to grow up and grow together in this retreat far away from the bustling city that surrounds it.”
20 Oscar Road in Greenhithe, North Shore, Auckland, is on the market for sale by deadline private treaty.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
