Former All Black Ron Cribb says he took one look at the “big-screen view” from this Auckland home and knew he had to own it.
Ron, who played for the All Blacks in 2000 to 2001, lived on the other side of Auckland at Half Moon Bay before buying here in 2013. But he wanted to live closer to his children, daughter Helena (now 17-years-old) and son Nico (now 15) who were living with their mother and going to Glen Eden Intermediate.
Ron says: “I thought I’d look for a place in Titirangi but then happened to see this property advertised. I came here, saw the view and thought, 'Wow, that’s amazing.'
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Ex-All Black outside the house he painted all black. Photo / Ted Baghurst
“You drive up the driveway to find the house with a plateau out the front of it looking out at an almost 180-degree view stretching around from the North Shore all the way down to Bombay.
“It’s the sort of view you’ve got to see for yourself to comprehend.”
A prolapsed disc in his neck from playing put paid to his rugby career and lead to seven operations. Nowadays he’s national relations manager for Metro Glass but often attends charity dinners and events related to rugby.
He says people might think of Swanson as being too far out but he can be in town in 23 minutes outside peak traffic. His property is under five minutes’ drive from Swanson train station, enabling children to take the train into schools in other suburbs.
Cribb says the house is really quiet but it's also a great place for entertaining. Photo / Ted Baghurst
“You’re about 15 minutes’ drive from restaurants and cafes in Kumeu or can head over to Titirangi. You’re close to West Coast beaches such as Bethells or Muriwai and live on the edge of the Waitakeres with all its walks.”
This 1,723sqm property starts with a long straight driveway with turning space up the top, situating the house well away from the road.
Some of the extensive landscaping Ron had done included creating a field-like lawn good for kids’ ball games. Off-street parking for about five cars bolsters the separate double garage.
Ron re-painted the formerly cream, circa late-1960s brick house black - an appropriate colour for an ex-All Black. A covered, arched patio runs along one side of the home, prefacing double front doors.
Inside it’s apparent the big north-east facing lounge and neighbouring kitchen-dining with under-floor heating and granite benches brilliantly admire the far-reaching view.
Ron says: “It’s really peaceful here and it’s also a great party house.”
The "big-screen" view of Auckland from the deck. Photo / Supplied
Living opens out to a big, covered pergola-type outdoor area with a fire-pit, which like the large, level astro-turfed expanse alongside it embraces the outlook.
Ron says: “It’s amazing at night, looking out at all the lights.
“On a clear day you can see all the way to the harbour bridge and out to Rangitoto. On some cold mornings I’ve seen everything in front of me shrouded in fog with just the Sky Tower sticking up out of it in the distance.”
Off the hallway are three good-sized bedrooms, Ron’s, son Nico’s and a spare. The main family bathroom with bath is complemented by another bathroom incorporating the laundry.
Ron’s going to investigate buying closer to his work which is based down south in Highbrook.
Ray White City agent Lisa Stone says: “This is a unique property, splendidly located on the flat on the top of a ridge with stunningly wide 180-degree rural, urban and central city views.”
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