Unused dream mansion now rubble

By JEREMY REES

A Howick man has demolished his $1.5 million mansion without ever living in it.

The house, one of the most visible in Bucklands Beach, had dramatic views over the Gulf towards Waiheke Island. It contained seven double-bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a gymnasium, indoor heated pool, sauna, games room, a dog-wash room and, reputedly, two 74 kg chandeliers in the kitchen.

Now it is rubble.

The house, which occupied two prime sites in Quedley Court worth $450,000 each, was the first - and the largest - house built in the expensive Ocean Pointe subdivision.

"It was one of the most beautiful houses I've ever seen," said Wayne Prujean, of Wards Demolition, which is handling the demolition.

"I used to drive past and admire it. It was magnificent. I was stunned and I couldn't believe it when we were asked to pull it down."

Just why the house has been demolished is the subject of rumour up and down Quedley Court, but the Herald has confirmed that it has been at the centre of legal action.

The house's owner, San Yu, was taken to the High Court at Auckland by the original builder, Patrick Hung, after he suspended the building contract, claiming problems with the house.

Mr Hung said the High Court had found in his favour. Mr Yu has appealed. The pair used to be friends.

Last night, Mr Hung said he did not want to comment except to say the work was up to a good standard and met all building requirements.

Mr Yu, the director of National Investments, said the matter was still under litigation and declined to comment.

Howick architect Graeme Smith, who is drawing up plans for a new house, would say only that Mr Yu's house "didn't satisfy his needs for a variety of reasons."

Mr Smith, who was not involved with the first house, said Mr Yu wanted a new one because the original did not live up to his expectations.

The house, on a 1490 sq m site backing on to Macleans Park, was built three years ago but never lived in. Work on it stopped only a few weeks short of having the carpet laid.

"It was palatial, the biggest house on the street," said one resident. "You would walk by and never see anyone in it." The ground floor, covering 459 sq m, had a garage for four cars, a large living area, a guest room with en suite and dressing room, a kitchen, a dining room and family room, a laundry and a separate room to wash the dog, as well as the pool.

The first floor - 284 sq m - ran to five bedrooms and en suites, a study, a games room, and a main bedroom with en suite and two dressing rooms.

The house, designed by Kim Veltman, was flanked by two giant palm trees - still standing - with a push-button security system at the gate and a sweeping driveway running under a giant portico.

The building consent for the mansion listed the value of the house in February 1998 at $990,000. Real estate agents now put its value at up to $1.5 million.

When the Herald visited the site, there was little left except rubble. Hinuera stone and roof tiles had been salvaged and stacked in one corner.

The house sat on a modern subdivision of expensive houses, all in fawns and pastels, most with porticos, ready lawn and young trees in the gardens.

"Over there, mate. That used to be a waterfall," said one of the demolition workers, pointing to a corner of the site.

"And over there we're digging out the indoor pool. It's a bloody shame."

The paving has been ripped up and there is little left of the landscaped garden. The foundations, too, will be ripped up and replaced.