When owners Bryn and Sue decided to build an expansive home on land resplendent with spectacular coastal views and beautiful bush, they followed the mantra ‘if you’re going to do something do it properly’.
The result is The Cape, a stunning 535sqm, 2014 home at 28 Matheson Bush Road in Leigh looking over rolling pasture to the nearby sea, accompanied by covenanted bush. The now-retired couple bought this nearly 6.8-hectare property in 2008.
They wanted tranquil land with clean air out of Auckland after one of their three adult daughters was diagnosed with cancer. They envisaged her living with them there, deciding to still build after she passed away.
Start your property search
The view from the kitchen sink is spectacular. Photo / Supplied
“Having the opportunity to build a brand new house for the first time in our sixties we decided let’s do it right and let’s do it really well,” Bryn says.
They’re located about six minutes’ drive from Leigh township and Goat Island Marine Reserve, about 16km from Matakana Village and not much further to Omaha.
Their current 84km journey to Auckland should become even quicker when the Puhoi-to-Warkworth motorway extension opens soon.
The Cape is a stunning 535sqm home on a 6.8-hectare section at 28 Matheson Bush Road in Leigh. Photo / Supplied
There’s landscaping including lawn and a little orchard near the house, served by a bore. Their property is predominantly covenanted bush thought to be more than 100 years old, incorporating walking paths.
“It includes huge rimu and totara and some of the kauri would have to be a metre to a metre-and-a-half in diameter,” Bryn says.
“People comment on the bush and the generous size of the house but the main thing they remark on is our view, which is spectacular.
There are two decks to maximise the views but only one has an outdoor fireplace. Photo / Supplied
“We have an 180⁰ ever-changing view which runs from Whangarei Heads in the North, to the Hen and Chickens, to the Mokohinau Islands, Little Barrier and Great Barrier behind and down to the Coromandel-Port Jackson area.”
Their brief to architect Christine Hall specified big spaces including generous bedrooms.
Spread over three levels linked by a lift, the double-glazed home with solar panels is constructed of cedar, solid concrete and concrete masonry.
Beautiful solid American oak flooring is featured throughout the house. Photo / Supplied
Its interior incorporates stack-bonded concrete block feature walls and beautiful solid American oak flooring.
The ground level’s internal-access quadruple garaging with a 3.5-metre stud to accommodate a boat is accompanied by a utility room and wood store-wine cellar.
The upper floor exalting the view and flowing out to two decks (one with an outdoor fireplace) offers a living room plus living-dining room and a Poggenpohl chef’s kitchen with scullery. These are accompanied by a bedroom and powder room.
The vendors are leaving this view to be closer to their Auckland-based children and their first grandchild. Photo / Supplied
The mid-level, which has the front door entry and foyer with a high-stud stairwell going upwards, opens to a deck with a spa pool which will remain.
It also has two ensuited bedrooms with walk-in-wardrobes – one of which is the master – two further bedrooms, a family bathroom, office and separate laundry.
The couple are moving to the North Shore in order to live close to their Auckland-based children and 15-month-old first grandchild.
The homeowners' brief to their architect was big spaces, generous rooms. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Kellie Bissett, who is marketing the property, says, “The beauty of the land and sea surrounding The Cape really is breathtaking.
“The owners have successfully created a true haven, in a deserving location, suitable as either a permanent residence or a luxury getaway.”
28 Matheson Bush Road in Leigh will be sold via tender which closes November 11.
