The distance between Pelorus Sound and Portugal, where they live now, is significant but Matthew and Camilla, owners of this stunning property at picturesque Moetapu Bay, still treasure warm memories of their Marlborough hideaway.
It lies just 30 minutes by road from Havelock, and 50 minutes from Blenheim – yet is seemingly another world away.
“Our brief to Gerald Parsonson, of Parsonson Architects in Wellington, was to come up with a design that subtly fitted an expansive house – with plenty of space to relax and entertain, into the surrounding landscape,” says Matthew.
“We didn’t want one big house, but, rather, a condominium style that nestled in perfectly over three separate levels.”
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Gerard Parsonson described the property – which featured in Architecture Now – as “a small community of buildings, sitting together on the site.”
Matthew says 290 Moetapu Bay Road is almost certainly the closest you can get to the magnificent Pelorus Sound, by road, but there’s also easy water access to a floating jetty in front of the property, offering mooring for a 10m vessel.
290 Moetapu Bay Road in Moetapu Bay, Marlborough, is on the market for sale by deadline private treaty closing July 13. The five-bedroom, three-bathroom property on 4227sqm of land has a 2020 RV of $2.06 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2008 for $713,000.
Architect Gerard Parsonson described 290 Moetapu Bay Road – which featured in Architecture Now – as “a small community of buildings, sitting together on the site.” Photo / Supplied
The 361sqm home has five bedrooms, with three bathrooms plus extensive living and dining areas, both indoors and out. Photo / Supplied
The sleek and stylish home – constructed by Andrew Lawson Builders – replaced a cute little bach on the site, which was there when Matthew and Camilla originally bought it.
“Nowadays, when you come down the palm-lined driveway it’s almost hard to believe what an amazing property this is now,” Matthew says, adding that it was completed in 2015, when their two sons were outdoors-mad teenagers.
The 361sqm home has five bedrooms, with three bathrooms plus extensive living and dining areas, both indoors and out. They enjoy numerous points of access and egress, through huge glass doors, which showcase the verdant bush-clad hillside surroundings and sensational water vistas.
The décor throughout is bright, airy, simple and streamlined with a nod to Camilla’s Scandinavian roots, via the extensive use of timber.
Matthew says ensuring connectivity was an important aspect of the build, and the property has ample water, power and reliable internet.
Listing agent Will Porter from Bayleys, Marlborough, says: “The views of native trees and the water from every level must be seen to be believed!” Photo / Supplied
The homeowner says they didn't want one big house but a condominium-style home nestled into the landscape with lots of space to relax and entertain. Photo / Supplied
With Camilla’s family in Denmark, an enjoyable new life in Portugal, and the boys having “gone global”, Matthew says that sadly for the family this magnificent property is now surplus to requirements.
“We love it, and we’ll miss it, but it’s time to move on and let new owners make the most of all it has to offer!”
Listing agent Will Porter from Bayleys, Marlborough says that many aspects of the property really stand out. “It’s clever touches like the black beams on the walkway, which are inspired by the surrounding beech trees that make it stand out.”
Another attraction is the spacious double garage and an engineered parking platform.
Will says the glorious birdsong is often the first thing potential buyers notice when they arrive for an inspection. “This property is an absolute credit to the architect and the builder. The views of native trees and the water from every level must be seen to be believed!”
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