Replacing a modified 1930s state house with a contemporary, architecturally-designed home delivered beautiful Waitemata Harbour views and easy, upmarket lock-up-and-leave living for owners John and Susan.
John’s profession has seen him heavily involved with property and development for 30-plus years and Susan is interested in interior design and fit-outs, so they felt equipped to steer development of this at 7 Puna Street in Orakei, Auckland, as their own home.
John says: “We ended up with a really lovely place to live with our teenage daughter, with three levels facing due north and with excellent views from the top two levels.
“It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the heated swimming pool or to entertain. And we can walk to the waterfront in about 12 minutes.”
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Their home is now on the market for sale. 7 Puna Street in Orakei has a 2021 RV of $3.8 million and has a set sale date closing April 5.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Kristen Gou, who is marketing the handsome property, says: “This beautiful property offers a sought-after low maintenance lifestyle, with the ability to entertain, enjoy the pool or lock-up-and-leave. It could be an apartment alternative, with a lots of space.”
The couple had architect John Ingham design this home, the largest and most private of three dwellings they had built on the former state house’s site.
“We lived in that extended state house for nearly a year with only a peep of the sea. This home is so different from that with the wonderful views and so much sun that we hardly use the heating.”
The second floor’s expansive living-dining-kitchen with scullery, opening out to a deck, is a fine place to take in the view. Photo / Supplied
The stand-alone home is down a driveway on a quiet street, five minutes’ walk from Orakei School and three minutes’ drive to both Eastridge Shopping Centre or Okahu Bay beach. John can be in at his central city offices in around 10 minutes off-peak.
The home’s exterior utilises pre-cast concrete slab on the lower level and dark grey stained cedar on upper levels. Exposed concrete also features in the stairwell inside, accented by vertical European oak battens and illuminated by a contemporary Italian chandelier.
The residence has an internal-access double garage and a lift accessing all levels. It maximises privacy with large windows and outdoor living orientated away from more immediate neighbours.
The entry level’s family room, bathroom, separate laundry and foyer-hallway’s tiled floors work well when anyone’s nipping in from the north-facing, heated swimming pool overlooking easy-care subtropical planting.
Susan says: “It’s great out by the pool; private and very sheltered.”
Exposed concrete also features in the stairwell inside, accented by vertical European oak battens and illuminated by a contemporary Italian chandelier. Photo / Supplied
The stand-alone home is down a driveway on a quiet Orakei street. The exterior utilises pre-cast concrete slab on the lower level and dark grey stained cedar on upper levels. Photo / Supplied
The family have one of two ground-floor bedrooms set up as an office, utilising the other as a guest bedroom. The second floor’s expansive living-dining-kitchen with scullery is a fine place for John to take in the view and assess the conditions if they’re thinking of heading out on their boat.
He says: “We look out as far as Kawau, across the harbour and up the channel. There’s always plenty of activity to watch out there on the water.”
This expanse has European oak flooring and a double-sided raised fireplace. Living flows out to the main deck with partially cut out roof and a heater facilitating year-round entertaining. A third lounge and a powder room complete this level.
The upper level houses the north-facing ensuited master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and the fourth bedroom, also ensuited.
John says: “It’s so nice waking up in the master suite with the auto blinds rising to reveal such an amazing view.”
This home has shown John and Susan how convenient Orakei is, whether they’re enjoying Auckland or locking up to go away. They’re selling with another project in mind.
