When Glen and Jen bought this waterside home designed by a renowned architect, many friends had never heard of the bay it overlooks only about 10 minutes’ drive from Mt Eden Village.
8 Bluff Terrace in Hillsborough, Auckland, a 1970s creation by late architect Ron Sang, is listed for sale by auction on August 10. With an RV of $3.075 million, the property last changed hands in 2016 for $2.7m.
Glen, who with partner Jen owns this home a stone’s throw from the sea, says: “I think Taylors Bay is really a bit of a secret spot. When friends first came to visit they were quite surprised to find this cute little beach in a nice bay.”
Taylors Bay, its little playground and accompanying reserve tuck quietly into Hillsborough Bay not far from Onehunga Bay Reserve.
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“It’s a nice safe spot for children to swim because it’s shallow, not rough at all and it’s sheltered from south westerly wind,” Glen says.
The couple bought here in 2016 wanting a home which at times would be able to accommodate the six children of their blended family.
“It appealed because it was a little bit different to the slightly older houses I’d previously had, modern and architecturally-designed with the bonus of being on the waterfront, which is lovely,” Glen says.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom, double garage house in Hillsborough overlooks the tranquil Taylors Bay. Photo / Supplied
He says this design was fairly early in Sang’s career, pre-dating signatures such as his oversized, colourful front doors.
“Two owners previous to us did a major renovation and it really is a home that works very well for family and for entertaining. We’re close to the water at the end of a cul-de-sac. I bought a little dingy with wheels on the transom which I can just wheel down the driveway and across a little bit of reserve into the sea,” Glen says.
The fully-fenced three-level home’s exterior combines board-and-batten and concrete block with schist used decoratively around the front door and entrance way. Living is predominantly on the middle floor, flowing out to a generous covered deck ideal for drinking in the sea view.
“The house faces north and we look out over our front garden to the sandy part of the bay and part of the grass reserve. People go swimming or kayaking, have picnics and sunbathe and kids sometimes race over from the yacht club on the other side of the harbour,” Glen says.
The current homeowner says two previous owners did major renovation works turning it into a great family home. Photo / Supplied
Designed by late architect Ron Sang, the home upgrades include double-glazing, rooftop solar panels, landscaping, a cabana and spa. Photo / Supplied
The entertainers’ kitchen-living-dining room with gas fireplace runs along the front of this level, which also includes a powder room and an office or fifth bedroom. The ground floor’s two ensuited bedrooms include the master with walk-in wardrobe. Its media room opens up to outdoors and can utilise a kitchenette in the internal-access double garage. The upper floor has two more ensuited bedrooms.
“This house wasn’t cold but it’s now become very warm,” says Glen, explaining their upgrades include making all windows double glazed and installing rooftop solar panels. They’ve also had landscaping done and the grounds house a cabana with spa pool.
Glen’s a keen photographer who has photographed many of the wading birds they see here. However, the family will farewell them to move closer to the children’s other parents.
Dianne Burt, of Bayleys One Tree Hill, is marketing the property with Lindy Lawton.
“This unique and gorgeous home in a stunning position overlooks the hidden secret of tranquil Taylors Bay, admiring an ever-changing vista as the tides ebb and flow,” Burt says.
