Owners Meeghan and Phil have evolved this grand 1920s bungalow at 11 Bridge View Road in Birkenhead Point, Auckland, into a splendid home for entertaining and for nurturing their family of six, living here for 15 years.
“Earlier in our marriage we’d renovate houses and move every two or three years and I was very used to living on the other side of the bridge,” Meeghan says.
“But we’ve absolutely adored this neighbourhood and location, staying here for the longest we’ve been anywhere while turning the home into somewhere ideal for easy family life and entertaining.”
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A front lawn edged with structured planting introduces the home with its covered front porch entry. Photo / Supplied
They have two sets of twins and one of the first things they did was to put in a rear swimming pool.
Their multitude of changes to the two-storey home have been in stages, drawing on the expertise of an architect and an interior designer. As many popular suburbs south of the bridge have got busier, Meeghan can’t imagine living in them.
“It’s so peaceful and friendly around here and it only takes about 10 to 15 minutes off-peak to head into the city.
A modern kitchen features a huge composite granite island, double oven, double dishwashers and an under-bench bar fridge. Photo / Supplied
“It’s great being able to walk to the Highbury shops. Phil and I will often take the Birkenhead ferry into town to meet friends for dinner.”
Off-street parking down one side of the property fronts an internal-access double garage complete with utility area for tools.
A front lawn edged with structured planting introduces the home with its covered front porch entry. The hallway leads right through the layout to an enviable stretch of indoor-outdoor entertaining at the rear of the home.
The changes to the house have been done in stages, with the vendors drawing on the expertise of an architect and an interior designer. Photo / Supplied
A sizeable Wim de Bruin-designed contemporary kitchen sits roughly in the middle of this level, featuring a huge composite granite island, a double oven, double dishwashers and an under-bench bar fridge.
It amalgamates with the rear dining area and family living space.
Big sliding doors open out to the additional luxury of an outdoor living space under an electronic louvred canopy complete with a gas fire, surround sound speakers and retractable side shelter screens.
This overlooks the solar heated salt water pool and covered spa area.
The vendors say Birkenhead Point is peaceful and friendly, and only 10-15 minutes off-peak to the city. Photo / Supplied
This level also offers a front formal dining room, additional media room, powder room, wc, bathroom and laundry.
“This layout has worked so well. There’s room for everyone and there’s lots of lovely light and sunshine which is always good for the soul,” Meeghan says.
“It was always easy for me to keep an eye on the kids in the pool when they were younger.
“And the kitchen has lots of space so they can easily prepare a snack while I’m cooking.”
The outdoor living space under an electronic louvred canopy comes complete with a gas fire and retractable side shelter screens. Photo / Supplied
Upstairs has decks the width of the house front and rear, the latter off the large ensuited master suite with walk-in-wardrobe and views to the Waitakeres.
Their children loved the four other generous bedrooms on this level, supported by a family bathroom, which are roomy enough for dance practice, sleep overs or study.
There’s gas central heating downstairs, heat pumps in all bedrooms and additional storage in the attic.
Meeghan and Phil remain so smitten with the neighbour that, now that children are leaving the nest, their next project will be building nearby.
11 Bridge View Road in Birkenhead Point has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
Ray White agent Julie Shand, who is marketing property, says: “This grand five-bedroom 1920s family home is the ultimate grand entertainer.
“It is beautifully updated and impeccably maintained, offering outstanding areas for socialising and is ready to entertain all year round.”
11 Bridge View Road in Birkenhead Point, Auckland, will be sold at auction on March 16.
