Albany: The personal touch

Photo / Geoff Dale

A husband and wife team have designed and built a vast executive home with some luxurious touches, writes Liz Dobson.

17 Ballymore Drive, Pinehill, Albany.

This is the house that Jack built - but it's definitely the home that Linda designed and her personal touches are evident throughout the vast space.

When the Auckland couple decided to create an executive home in the new Albany suburb of Pinehill, Linda had strong ideas about the style of the two-storey home that has the added bonus of a self-contained three-bedroom unit attached.

Jack and Linda bought the section in August last year. Linda then spent two months working closely with the architect firm, OJ Limited, to get the design right.

"I drew what I wanted and instructed the architect," says Linda. "I wanted this house to be brick and tile because our home is from that construction and it's low maintenance."

As Jack is a builder, it was natural that he'd construct the home - with Linda project-managing the work. The en suite bathroom in the stunning master bedroom is amazing - the shower is a deluxe unit that incorporates a CD player, telephone, radio, spa, wet steam sauna, foot massage and body jet sprays.

Also in the bathroom is a full size, outdoor-style spa pool.

While the super shower is Linda's favourite feature of the residence, the master bedroom, with an adjoining office, is Linda's favourite place in the lavish home.

"I like the big space as it's nice and airy and has lots of light."

Upstairs are a further four double bedrooms and two bathrooms - one includes a shower with jet sprays and a foot massage.

At the top of the stairs is a home theatre space wired with surround sound and connections for a projector. Leading off the home theatre space is a large balcony with elaborate railings.

The downstairs area consists mainly of the open plan lounge and dining area plus fully fitted kitchen - and again Linda's special touches are prominent. Linda designed the kitchen with granite benchtops, wooden cabinetry and marble tiles.

"I wanted marble tiles because they are easy to clean," she says.

Sitting on 703sq m of land, the main house has a decked area leading from the dining space for a barbecue, plus sloping grassed areas. The attached granny flat has the bonus of its own private courtyard.

The extra accommodation has a combined living and dining room and kitchen plus a master bedroom with en suite, while a bathroom is shared by the other two bedrooms.

Linda designed the added space to accommodate a variety of living arrangements.

"It could be an income - rent it out and it can help pay for the mortgage. Or teenage children or elderly parents could live there."

Throughout both homes are ornate architraves that give the property a family feel.

Linda also ensured there were internet connections throughout both places.

Linda and Jack live nearby - Linda likes the Pinehill area because of its proximity to Rangitoto College, the Massey campus and good local primary schools. The estate is near the Albany shopping centre and North Harbour Stadium, and is only a minute away from the Northern Motorway on-ramp.

Most of the sections in the Ballymore Drive area have been sold - and the house that Jack built stands out.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 703 sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected over $800,000. Auction July 3.

INSPECT: Open home Sat/Sun 2pm-4pm, Wed 4pm-6pm.

CONTACT: John Jamie and Sue Wan, Harveys, ph John 0274 722 344, Sue 021 479 987.

FEATURES: Brand new five bedroom, two-storey brick and tile executive home with attached three-bedroom unit. Large open plan living and kitchen downstairs, plus home theatre and bedrooms upstairs.