This largely untouched 1970s home exuding retro charm has enduring appeal through its glorious sea views and big seaside section in sought-after Scotts Landing.
A daughter of its owner for the last 40 years-plus, 81-year-old David, says: “Dad named it Shangri-La, meaning paradise on earth. He and my late mother loved living here. I asked him yesterday what first stood out to him about this property and he said: ‘The views, the views, the views’.”
They are impressive. The home sits on the highest point of its elevated section, overlooking the Te Kapa Inlet’s wide water views. Scotts Landing, also called Mahurangi East, is at the end of a narrow peninsula on the eastern side of Mahurangi Harbour. Properties here are tightly held.
David and wife Judy, who passed away in 2000, relocated their family from Hamilton in 1982, drawn to the Mahurangi after years of summer trailer-sailing holidays around the gulf. They became the home’s second owners.
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“Dad understood the home was architecturally designed and built for a retired British Army brigadier who’d lived in 34 houses around the world. It certainly was very different from the houses my friends lived in and they all thought it was cool.
“It was an idyllic place for we children growing up. Being so close to the sea, we’d just dump our bags after school and go swimming.”
Their yacht was moored 600 metres away. In later years David would nip down to their dinghy in five minutes on his four-wheel motorbike.
1 George Street in Mahurangi East, Rodney, is on the market for sale by tender closing August 29. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 CV of $1.675 million.
The 242sqm home sits on the highest point of its elevated 3972sqm section, overlooking the Te Kapa Inlet’s wide water views.
The two-storey entry atrium is partially sheathed front and sides by panelled glass, showcasing its enduringly cool rimu and steel floating staircase.
This generous 3972sqm site on peaceful, no-exit George Street may spur new owners to explore future development. Grounds include some bush, attracting native birds, and generous lawn formerly once by Rufus the goat and sheep Masport and Flymo.
Visitor parking at the two-storey vertical timber and block home fronts its internal-access double garage.
Your eyes are immediately drawn to its grand, two-storey entry atrium. It’s partially sheathed front and sides by panelled glass, showcasing its enduringly cool rimu and steel floating staircase.
This culminates in upstairs’ largely open-plan dining-kitchen-living, the latter area boasting a cathedral ceiling sarked in timber with exposed beams. The home’s north-facing orientation delivers warmth and beautiful light.
“This place has been a magnet for everyone’s friends. I can vividly remember dad dressed as Dame Edna Everage in one of my ball gowns for his fancy dress 50th.
“He particularly loved contemplating the view from the living room and the deck it flows out to, wrapping round three-quarters of this level.”
Distinctive retro accents include attractive, smooth wood-panelled walls around the home and some still-funky light pendants.
The homeowner’s daughter says: “I asked him [dad] what first stood out to him about this property and he said: ‘The views, the views, the views’.”
Distinctive retro accents include many attractive, smooth wood-panelled walls around the home and some still-funky light pendants. Colourful ones are the kitchen’s mustard benchtop and the neighbouring family bathroom’s purplish vanity top.
His daughters think he made few changes here because the home continued to serve his needs as is, with the view and setting paramount for him.
A bedroom, office (formerly Judy’s craft room), laundry and the master bedroom complete upstairs. Downstairs two further bedrooms accompany a rumpus room with big built-in desk, a second bathroom and the garage. A storage room here contributes to abundant storage, some in built-in cabinetry and furniture.
“Dad has reluctantly had to move closer to family because of declining health. It’s time for someone else to enjoy his Shangri-La now.”
Bayleys agent Dianna Coman, who is marketing 1 George Street, says: “This stunning property has striking views and neat architectural components. It’s on a very large site, so close to the sea, in the tightly-held area of Scotts Landing.”
- 1 George Street in Mahurangi East, Rodney, is for sale by tender closing August 29
