Despite living in this exceptional waterfront home at Leigh for the past eight years, watching whales and dolphins at close range is never taken for granted.
Julie Dooling and her husband Bernard found this property when they returned to New Zealand after many years in the UK.
“I’m a Kiwi and I went off to do my OE and didn’t come back for 40 years,” Julie says.
“I always said to Bernard that when I got old and grumpy I’d come home, and he agreed old and grumpy had arrived.”
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The home sits on 2019sqm with panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf. Photo / Supplied
The two came back on a land-searching trip around the waterfront areas north of Auckland and looked at “everything for sale and not for sale”.
Typically, the piece of land they fell in love with was not for sale, but the owner was persuaded to sell them the half acre site at 98 Lax Crescent in Leigh.
On their next trip back to New Zealand the mission was to find the right architect.
“When we met Lance and Nicky Herbst they were keen to come up and have a look. Lance stood here with his sketch book out, drew something and said: ‘This is what you should put here. It should be like a crow’s nest’.”
98 Lax Crescent in Leigh has three bedrooms, two bathrooms a double garage. Photo / Supplied
Julie and Bernard were equally particular about finding the right builder, as they were not going to be here for most of the build. They chose Warkworth builder Steve Haycock, and left the project in capable hands.
It took a year to build the house and Julie and Bernard arrived two months before it was finished. “We were just in time to choose the bathroom tiles.”
The house sits on a 2019sqm site with panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf taking in Little Barrier, Coromandel and Tawharanui.
The kitchen has a 3600mm bench, custom oak veneered cabinetry and Miele appliances. Photo / Supplied
Bernard’s requirements that he had to be able to hear the sea, and that there would be nobody between him and the water, were well met.
A honed concrete entranceway leads to a statement front door. Inside, windows and walls are positioned to showcase the waterside location.
The cantilevered living room has floor-to-ceiling glass walls to maximise the views, and the separate kitchen and dining area has similar views.
The kitchen has a 3600mm bench, custom oak veneered cabinetry and Miele appliances.
The vendor's brief to the architect was that he have uninterrupted views of the sea. Photo / Supplied
There’s an adjoining European scullery with laundry, also with Miele appliances, and ample storage.
The versatile layout includes three big bedrooms, and two bathrooms featuring that last minute tile choice of smart black listellos.
Other features are French Oak floors, full height joinery, a library and art passage, sheltered decks and internal garaging.
Part of the brief was that the house should be low maintenance and suitable to lock up and leave for long periods.
The cantilevered living room has floor-to-ceiling glass walls to maximise the views. Photo / Supplied
This time, the lock up and leave will be permanent, because Covid restrictions have made it impossible for Bernard and Julie to come and go easily to England, where they have children and grandchildren.
“Those days are over,” Julie says. “We realised that if we couldn’t travel to see family we would have to move back.”
98 Lax Crescent in Leigh, Auckland will be sold at auction on November 3. The property is being marketed by Joneen Smith and Kellie Bissett of Bayleys.
