The stellar view across Auckland’s glistening harbour, admiring the city skyline, have mesmerised the owners of this exceptionally convenient North Shore home for more than 20 years.
Its owners, a lawyer and a now-retired theatre sister, bought here on the tightly-held Onepoto Ridge 22 years ago, wanting convenient CBD commuting.
“It was only a single-storey 1950s home when we bought it but being located on a ridge the views were magnetic, even from ground level,” the lawyer owner says.
It takes only six minutes’ drive off-peak from this property at 25 Sylvan Ave in Northcote to nip over the Harbour Bridge and be in Herne Bay-Ponsonby.
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The couple, who still had one of their three children at home when they moved here, commissioned their friend architect John Sinclair to redesign the house into the generous 277sqm family home it is today.
“It was invaluable using an architect as we ended up with a really well thought-out home which is brilliant for entertaining and admires sea views from the front and the back,” the lawyer says.
“The sea views are always changing depending on the weather, the colour of the water, what’s out on it and the time of day. We look back across the whole city skyline, lit up at night.”
The classically elegant weatherboard, brick and concrete home set back from the road has plentiful off-street parking bolstering a double garage.
It’s recently been re-roofed, painted and re-carpeted.
The main view is from the other side of the home but it’s cleverly designed so a front covered patio looks through the home, out to the stunning vista. Entry reveals a double-height atrium and a floorplan designed for great indoor-outdoor flow front and back.
The living area which opens to the front patio ideal for gin and tonics also opens to a sizeable patio to the rear. It steps up to a dining room and a smart kitchen, revelling in the outlook. As does the second living area, which also opens to the rear deck, alongside a level fenced lawn.
The home has been brilliant for functions and entertaining, remaining a hub for the couple’s now-grown family, who return with their own children for regular Sunday lunches for 12 people. Completing the ground floor are an ensuited guest bedroom plus a powder room and laundry.
The couple adore the view from their upstairs double-glazed master suite which has an ensuite and opens to a viewing deck. They awake to the inspiring vista and go to sleep soothed by city lights.
While downstairs has a couple of gas fireplaces upstairs enjoys ducted central heating. Two more good-sized bedrooms, a family bathroom and powder room complete upstairs.
The couple love their location, with their favourite cityside restaurant less than 10 minutes away and the Bridgeway Theatre and Takapuna even closer, but are ready to downsize.
“Once you’ve enjoyed this beautiful view it’s very hard to say goodbye to it,” the lawyer says.
Harcourts agent Travers Smyth says, “The standout feature of this beautiful home is its amazing outlook, enjoyed from a tightly held location.”
25 Sylvan Avenue in Northcote, North Shore will be sold at auction on August 22.
