Many who visit or pass Waiheke’s “golden mile” of vineyards notice a strikingly designed, dark-hued home on four hectares, set up on a rise against the backdrop of a lush neighbouring forest.
Current owners Caroline and Donovan Ryan certainly did, also impressed by its views over Putiki Bay and the golf course, its 250sqm versatile, road-side commercial-style shed and proximity to Onetangi Beach.
Caroline says: “It was almost like goal visualisation; we’d drive past and I’d say to my husband ‘I want that house’.”
They had a previous home on the island but wanted more privacy and more land for their now-12-year-old son to grow up on and Caroline to keep horses.
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“I’d always admired this home with its big, steeply pitched roof, which had prompted some folklore during construction about how it was going to be a church.”
But no, the previous owner had the home designed by RATA Architecture + Design and built for his family in 2019; the shed housing a coffee roasting business.
Caroline says: “We’ve done quite a lot since we bought in early 2021. We’ve added a gorgeous infinity swimming pool, created a fully enclosable outdoor entertaining room, fenced, done some planting and added some equestrian facilities.”
The timber, steel and glass home already had a big deck at one end, covered by exposed-beam cathedral roofing.
The generous living-dining-kitchen with scullery under the soaring, exposed beam roofline.
The four-hectare estate has a 224sqm residence with swimming pool, double carport, two large paddocks, a two-horse stable with utility space, garden shed and about two kilometres of fencing.
The couple had RATA design an upgrade. It’s now able to be opened up via big sliding doors or fully enclosed, creating a much-loved, all-weather outdoor room usable year round.
Donovan often barbecues on the huge stone fireplace they added to it, alongside a bar area and wine fridge.
Caroline says: “Sometimes it felt like we were about to build the pyramids with nine men here hand-chiselling the rock for the fireplace and around the pool.”
This area flows off the generous living-dining-kitchen with scullery, again under the soaring, exposed beam roofline.
Flooring is polished concrete, apart from in carpeted bedrooms. Its superior, water-based underfloor heating system warms the home so well, the bedrooms’ heat pumps only get used for cooling.
The open-plan area looks out across the glass-fenced, heated infinity pool and beyond, with a NZ-made Stoked stainless steel and wood spa pool nearby. Onetangi Beach is only two minutes’ drive away.
“Nowadays it reminds me of one of those premium lodges you see in the South Island. It offers so much I think it’ll appeal to people even if they’re not interested in the few equestrian facilities I added.”
Along the hallway are four bedrooms, including the ensuited primary bedroom with walk-in wardrobe. The 224sqm layout also has a sophisticated bathroom, powder room, laundry and generous storage.
The big deck with exposed beams is a much-loved, all-weather outdoor room that’s usable year round.
The lush green outlook from the swimming pool.
The property has a double carport, guest parking, two large paddocks, a two-horse stable with utility space, a garden shed and about two kilometres of Cambridge-style fencing.
The big shed, well away from the house near the road, includes a large open space, office, shower and kitchen.
“We make passive income by leasing it to our friends across the road at The Heke to mature the whisky they distill. It’s so relaxing here, on this large property, watching beautiful sunsets over Putiki Bay.
“And yet we’re in the centre of Waiheke, only four minutes’ drive to Woolworths in Ostend.”
The family is relocating to Queenstown for career reasons.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 CV of $4.35 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2021 for $4.8m.
Bayleys agent Mana Tahapehi says: “Experience luxury on Waiheke Island in this stunning four-bedroom retreat with golf course views and top amenities – just minutes from Onetangi Beach.”
