A now grown-up son’s love for agriculture drew British immigrants, who’d previously been living in France, to their large lifestyle property on the border between Oratia and Waiatarua, in 2008.
“We were attracted to the log home, which had been built six or seven years previously because it was so large and sturdy – the logs are just massive,” the owner says.
The property had been constructed by a Rotorua builder, who’d done his apprenticeship in Canada, and is spread over a massive 450sqm-plus floor area.
“We were a large family, so we wanted plenty of space and the house worked perfectly for us after I’d finished off an apartment for my daughter, downstairs.”
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847 West Coast Road in Oratia, Waitakere, is on the market to be sold at auction on December 3. The sprawling property on a lifestyle section has a 2021 RV of $2.35 million.
The house has three lounges and a TV room, plus a full-size billiard room so there is no shortage of places to play or relax.
The owner says that a large mezzanine overlooks the main living area and one of the first things he did was to install a wood stove, which means it’s always cosy in winter.
“With the sheer size of the logs, the house doesn’t need insulation, internally or externally, and it maintains its own, fairly constant temperature all year round.”
He says that it’s a very pleasant place to be in. “I find the timber smell and the stillness incredibly peaceful and calming.”
The home was built by a Rotorua builder, who had done his apprenticeship in Canada, and is spread over a massive 450sqm-plus floor area. Photo / Supplied
Outside, the owner – and his family – were able to live the much-desired “good life” and the son had plenty of scope to develop his farming skills.
“We’re on 4.8ha, and a good 1.5ha of that is exploitable for animals,” the owner explains.
“There was plenty of land for us to grow our own beef, with goats for milk and poultry for eggs. All we had to buy was wine,” he laughs, adding that he also found great pleasure in planting an orchard, with 25 different trees growing a variety of fruits, including citrus, feijoas, figs and apples.
It’s easy to access Auckland’s CBD by driving to Sunnyvale station (about 12 minutes) and catching a train.
“We were lucky that the electric trains were just coming on stream about the time that we moved here.”
With four bedrooms plus a separate apartment downstairs, the home has three lounges, a TV room and a full-size billiard room. Photo / Supplied
The homeowners says they have eked a good life living off the land, growing everything from meat to goat milk to an orchard – everything but the wine. Photo / Supplied
The owner describes the local Oratia community as friendly, with lots of opportunities to meet and get to know your neighbours, as well as a very highly regarded middle school.
“There’s a nice sense of history as this was originally a great orcharding area and one of those early growers still sells his apples, pears and plums to locals.”
Craig Smith of Ray White, Titirangi says that the property is sure to attract significant interest, due to its size and the many features on offer, which include a number of out-buildings and a semi-separate sleepout.
“In fact, never have I seen such an iconic property on such a sensational lifestyle setting. The options that are on offer here are epic!”
The passage of time plus changes in circumstances sees family members heading in new directions and the owner says that they’ll all be taking happy memories with them.
– Sponsored by Ray White
