The only thing better than having a fabulous dwelling in a sought-after spot across the road from the water in Mellons Bay, is having two of them. Jill Bolscher’s stylish contemporary home comes with a two-bedroom apartment above a triple garage at the rear of the 1181sqm site, which has been a wonderful bonus.
20 Marine Parade in Mellons Bay, Manukau, Auckland, is for sale by auction on August 23 and is listed with Jill Jackson of Barfoot & Thompson Parnell. The property has an RV of $4.1 million and, according to OneRoof data last changed hands in 2012 for $2.1m.
“The apartment has been rented out the whole time we’ve lived here and it’s really useful to have the extra income,” Jill says.
The tenant has lived in the apartment since before Jill and her husband Marinus bought the house 11 years ago and loves it so much she’d be happy to stay on. “She kind of came with the house and has been a great tenant.”
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Jill and Marinus had been living on a semi-rural property further out of town when they decided to downsize, and the house on Marine Parade appealed because of the location by the water, and the close proximity to Howick village.
“I used to come to the shops in Howick so I knew it a little bit – it’s very vibrant and has a lot of great facilities, like the movie theatre,” says Jill.
It’s about a 20-minute walk into the village or a couple of minutes in the car, and there’s plenty of parking. Over the years Jill has also become a fan of the nearby Uxbridge Community Centre, where she goes to art courses and yoga classes.
The main dwelling has four bedrooms and two bathrooms, the apartment has two bedrooms and there's a three-car garage. Photo / Supplied
Marine Parade is very popular with dog walkers, including Jill who usually walks her Australian shepherd twice a day, and it’s just a short stroll to Howick Beach. Other drawcards of the home included being relatively new (it was built around 2002), and architect-designed.
It had top quality fixtures and fittings so Jill and Marinus haven’t had to do much to it over the years, other than re-doing the roof, installing new kitchen benches and an oven, and putting a spa pool on the deck alongside the swimming pool.
Jill loves how light and bright the home is, thanks to the generous use of windows. One corner of the living room can be opened up to the pool by pulling back ranch sliders and it’s a particularly lovely spot in summer, when the breeze flows through the house. In winter, it’s kept cosy thanks to the gas fire and heat pump.
The living room leads through to the kitchen and dining room, while a wing at the back of the home contains three bedrooms and a bathroom.
Jill has turned one of the bedrooms into an art studio, and the other two have been well used for guests over the years.
The main bedroom is upstairs, and this is Jill’s favourite part of the house. “As well as the bedroom there’s a bathroom, and a big office, and that’s where I live most of the time. I love sitting on the sofa in the office in the sun and reading books,” Jill says.
The seaside Mellons Bay property has great views across the harbour to Waiheke Island. Photo / Supplied
The current owners haven't had to do much to the property except for small tweaks like install a new kitchen bench and oven. Photo / Supplied
There are great views from the bedroom and a covered deck across the harbour to Waiheke Island. The apartment also has a deck that is the perfect spot to enjoy the sun, and there’s the added bonus of an extra room off the garage.
Jill currently uses it for storage, but it could make an ideal gym, kids’ playroom, teenage retreat or man cave. The garden features a small lawn and lots of subtropical plants, and is very private.
Now that Marinus is in a rest home, Jill is selling because she doesn’t need so much space.
Agent Jill Jackson says the home is extremely flexible.
“The beauty of this house is it is so adaptable – for example, you could rent out the minor dwelling or use it for an au pair or extended family.
“There are lots of potential uses for the room off the garage – it could be a work-from-home space – and you have bonuses like the office upstairs. It’s got a lovely private garden, wonderful panoramic views and is in a very popular spot.”
