Will and Keenen were living in Grey Lynn when they first discovered Hobsonville Point and began bringing their pet out to exercise at the dog park at weekends.
“We were spending so much time here; we thought we should buy a house and move in,” says Will.
The couple had the luxury of buying off-the-plans, as part of a prestigious new Winton development, Launch Bay Oval.
“This meant we could customise our new Ovation Townhouse to suit our own needs and personalities – instead of buying a cookie-cutter property,” says Keenen, who is American and spent time in the United States military service and has trained as a pilot.
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“I was really drawn to the fact that Hobsonville is the former Royal New Zealand Air Force Base, so it has this very interesting history, and I feel right at home here,” he explains.
Because their new abode was intended to be a long-term base, Will and Keenen made sure that all mod-cons were part of the package – including a very high-spec kitchen with Miele appliances and a Zenith HydroTap – for what is undoubtedly the beating heart of this superior dwelling.
“We’re keen entertainers,” explains Will, adding that guests at their housewarming were invited to bring a bottle for the elegant bar. “We’ve still got a lot of gin to get through.”
The 238sqm townhouse has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and parking for two vehicles. Photo / Supplied
The colours throughout the dwelling are warm and restful, with easy-care landscaping outside. Photo / Supplied
Other creature comforts the couple have enjoyed in their four-bedroom, two-bathroom home include the cinema (alternatively the fourth bedroom) with dramatic red velvet curtains adding an appropriately theatrical atmosphere, an integrated Sonos sound system, cutting-edge ECC designer lighting, and a central heating and cooling system.
Open-plan living with loads of sunny spaces indoors segues seamlessly to the outdoor areas – including the all-weather deck with its louvred roof where a new pizza oven was the star of the show in Will and Keenen’s gourmet outdoor kitchen last summer.
The colours throughout the dwelling are warm and restful, and easy-care landscaping outside is already well-established and looking great. The grounds are fully fenced for privacy and safety.
With plans to extend their family, Will and Keenen are looking for a larger property.
The vendors bought off-the-plans as part of a prestigious new Winton development, Launch Bay Oval. Photo / Supplied
The new pizza oven in the all-weather deck with its louvred roof was the star of the show last summer. Photo / Supplied
“But we’ll be staying in the general neighbourhood because we really like the local community,” says Will, who commutes to the CBD by ferry each day and has seen dolphins frolicking in the harbour.
“It’s diverse and inclusive with a good mix of young and old. Lots of us have become friends during our dogs’ playtime together.”
Frazer Mackenzie-Johnson, of Ray White, Remuera says when he first saw Will and Keenen’s property he was absolutely blown away.
“And so are all the potential buyers who’ve been through it so far,” he adds. “People love everything about the house – as well as all the amenities on its doorstep: the ferry and the local cafes and restaurants. It’s simply a great place to live.”
45A Hudson Bay Road in Hobsonville, Waitakere, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on April 17.
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