When the former Mahurangi River Winery and Restaurant premises was put up for sale in 2016, the current owners jumped at the chance to transition from what she describes as a ‘mid-century glass box’ in Titirangi to a rural life close to Warkworth on a picturesque site with rolling hills and plenty of space for the couple and their young daughters.
“We’d been yearning to own a bit of land and we really loved the size of the building – obviously it has an industrial feel and it seemed like something straight out of Grand Designs on TV,” she says.
“It did take quite some courage but we immediately had a vision for the property – creating something both fun and funky.”
162 Hamilton Road in Warkworth, Rodney, is now on the market for sale by a set date closing February 28. The property has a 2021 RV of $4.75 million.
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The owner says the move from Titirangi to Warkworth was a huge adventure for the children and after living dorm-style for a few months, she and her husband had to choose between two options.
“One was to completely renovate but we didn’t really want to be living on a building site, and putting up partitions didn’t feel right, so that’s when the idea of these pods in place of bedrooms came to us and a builder friend was happy to oblige.”
While the girls eventually did get their own rooms, the couple has stuck with their pod, which they’ve come to love, while the other two pods are currently serving as a spare bedroom and an office.
The current homeowner says the sense of space is incredible and they have had some very tall Christmas trees in the house. Photo / Supplied
162 Hamilton Road in Warkworth was the former Mahurangi River Winery and Restaurant premises before it was sold in 2016 and converted into a family home. Photo / Supplied
Meanwhile, the restaurant’s toilets were converted into a bathroom and the commercial kitchen was softened a little with the addition of some stylish domestic details.
“It’s such a versatile property and the sense of space is incredible – we’ve had some very tall Christmas trees here,” the owner says.
She recently celebrated a significant birthday and says that the caterers were thrilled when they saw the facilities. “We had a long table and hired a life-size model horse as a centrepiece!”
Downstairs, the huge wine cellar is now stables, a hayshed and wash bay for the family’s real-life horses and there’s also an arena.
The owner says that the neighbourhood is perfect for riding, with quiet roads and sensational views of the surrounding countryside which reminds her a little of Italy, with its vineyards.
“Because the property is rural it felt right to grow things and we’ve developed a ‘food bank’ which is a tiered space with vegetables, fruit trees, olives and beehives for unlimited honey.”
Pods were built in place of bedrooms, and the home has seven bedrooms including the pods. Photo / Supplied
Listing agent Di Balich, of Precision Real Estate, says: “It’s very tasteful and well presented.” Photo / Supplied
A neighbour uses some of their paddocks for his cows, giving the family a regular supply of beef in return.
Di Balich and Nicky White, of Precision Real Estate, are both excited to be bringing this remarkable offering to market.
“It’s very tasteful and well presented,” says Balich.
“It has its own water bore and there are sea views from the top of the ridge, which could be considered if a new owner is keen on developing the property further.”
White says that the home is simple, yet stylish and sophisticated and there’s potential for getting an income from the little self-contained two-bedroom cottage, which is separate from the main property.
“We can also supply plans for a renovation, which the owners had drawn up.”
