Set on an elevated site in Auckland's St Heliers, with harbour views taking in Devonport, Northhead, Rangitoto and beyond, this is a dream home for a keen America’s Cup fan.
Architect Hugh Gillam built it for himself in the 1970s. It was a typical home of its era when the late owner bought it in the 1990s.
“He had a plan,” says his son, “Not only did he buy this one, but he bought 5 Hanene St, a 1930s stucco house next door, and another property below on Long Drive.”
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His father put a height covenant on the Long Dr property then sold it, safe in the knowledge that his views would never be impeded.
He demolished 5 Hanene St, which still has its own title, and called in celebrated architect Simon Carnahan, tasking him with reimagining the entire property.
What resulted was an enormous house on a 1613sq m site with 589sq m of floor space and a versatile layout. It has a self-contained one or two-bedroom apartment within the main dwelling, and its own title and address (333 Tamaki Dr ) plus access to the beach.
The apartment has a garage on Tamaki Dr and even a funicular for bringing up the groceries.
Taken as a whole the property has five bedrooms and five bathrooms.
The living spaces are large and bright and while the décor dates from the 1990s, it looks remarkably contemporary— especially in the luxurious marbled bathroom of the master suite, which also includes a living room.
Huge loads of flat South Island stones and boulders were trucked up and feature both in the house and outside, where a big waterfall surrounded by spectacular subtropical plants, burbles gently, day and night.
There are myriad of places to relax, inside and out, depending on the season.
The late owner’s son says that his father particularly enjoyed his media room and billiards room.
But if he ever got bored there was the gym corner, office, sauna, a huge spa pool, the fully-equipped pavilion reached via the skywalk for alfresco dining, and a rooftop deck for the ultimate in views. He also liked his mini putting green.
Needless to say, such spectacular homes don’t often become available and the son says that it’s garnering interest from overseas buyers and also from older couples who like the fact that their caregiver could live in the apartment, while the lift makes getting around the house easy.
Unlimited Potential agent Jo Johnstone, who is marketing the property along with colleague Roberta Stewart, says: “It’s such a versatile house it can be used in many ways, which is most appealing.
“The value is really in the land, of course, and some potential future owners have said that they would possibly upgrade the kitchens and bathrooms to enhance the house itself further.”
She says that she grew up in St Heliers and recently returned to live there.
“People used to think that the bays ended at Mission Bay, but that’s no longer the case as more and more people have realised how lovely it is here.”
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