As well as a strong statement in construction and design excellence, this Tauranga waterfront residence is an homage to the spectacular coastal landscape.
It was built by Gudsell Designer Homes, a highly-regarded, family-run business operated by father and son team, Peter and Matt Gudsell. This is Peter’s home and it’s in good company.
“My son and I are in business together. We purchased this site and built a show home behind my house, which won some national awards,” he says.
It took out a Master Builders House of the Year Gold Award 2023 as well as regional awards for Interior Design and Outdoor Living.
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“We have a staff of 16, all regarded as top tradesmen. We try to be leaders in quality workmanship and knowing how to do things properly. That’s our brand – interior finishing and architectural flair,” says Peter.
The Gudsells worked with architect Brendon Gordon to bring their vision for Peter’s house to life and they scoured the globe for unique materials which offered both beauty and practicality.
“It’s a really nice, easy home to live in and is very different to anything else built around here,” says Peter.
The 228sqm, single-level residence has recently been completed and took 15 months to build. It’s oriented to the harbour front and offers three bedrooms serviced by two luxurious bathrooms, as well as elegantly liveable social zones that run across the front.
“It’s mainly in situ concrete, which we specialise in, and has a 180-degree view of the Tauranga Harbour and the Mount,” he says.
“We’re big fans of the pohutukawa trees that line the shore – particularly their red blooms and textured bark, so we tried to replicate a little bit of that in the concrete.”
The home is oriented to the harbour front and offers three bedrooms with two bathrooms.
The front roof overhang is all lined in western red cedar from Canada.
Another nod to the ocean is above the cantilevered concrete front deck, which has floating concrete steps.
“The front roof overhang is not just a level soffit. It goes from about 3.5m down to about 2.0m and it’s got a twist in it, like a wave. It’s all lined in western red cedar from Canada,” he says.
The serious craftsmanship continues inside, where interiors are clad in rich, warm, honey-hued North American hemlock timber.
“It has a bandsawn texture to it and has coating on it that’ll probably never need to be coated again in its lifetime.
“There are no butt joints in the house, it’s all been mitred. It starts at the front of the house and goes right through to the back – all the boards are matching throughout. We really enjoyed the building process here.”
All the American Ash doors are floor- to-ceiling height and are reinforced with steel to keep them straight, plus, in the vein of keeping things seamless and streamlined, have magnetic handles.
The kitchen is darkly sophisticated and anchored by the large island, crafted from Blue Tempest granite imported from Brazil. The handcrafted gold tiles of the splashback were chosen to reflect the gold accents in the bench’s stone. Each bedroom flows out to an outdoor living space. The bathrooms take centre stage, thanks to their striking glass mosaic tilework.
“All the joints have been filled with hypoxi filler, which it adds to the waterproofing and makes them easy to keep clean,” he shares.
The master ensuite’s bath is another show-stopper.
The absolute waterfront single-level home has recently been completed and took 15 months to build.
Floor to ceiling glass windows allow for uninterrupted water views.
“It’s a solid resin bath from Italy. It’s very beautiful to bathe in – it’s wider and longer than the local baths. It cost a bomb but it’s worth it!”
As much has he has loved the house and the process, Peter is ready to explore a fresh challenge and let a lucky buyer enjoy the style and sea views on offer here.
“It’s quite an arty house. It’s designed for me and I used to call it a masculine design but now that it’s finished, it’s sophisticated beach bach.”
Sally Francis and Jan Hodges, of Bayleys, are proudly marketing the property, which sits within one of Tauranga’s finest pockets of waterfront real estate.
There’s a walkway along the edge of the harbour for leisurely strolls, ideal waters for paddle-boarding and wind surfing, and you can moor a boat nearby.
“It would be an enviable permanent home for active retirees, returning expats, retiring farmers and those seeking a lock-and-leave base in the Bay,” they say.
“It’s super-handy to Tauranga CBD and Mount Maunganui, with optimal access to main arterial routes and is within walking distance to cafes and parks.
“The living is easy here – bring on the crimson pōhutukawa and summer.”
- Sponsored by Bayleys
