Campbells Bay: Highly desirable

A spectacular clifftop property on the North Shore has been revamped by an overseas couple.

1/51 View Road, Campbells Bay.

The magic reputation of North Shore clifftop properties has clearly spread to Europe and the Middle East. Dubai-based finance director, Englishwoman Helen Morton and her former husband flew down to Auckland in 1987 with a specific shopping list and a week to find a clifftop or waterfront property. They bought this after viewing 20 or more properties, immediately taken by the breathtaking views and decks literally cantilevered over the sea. However, it wasn't until 2000 that they brought their sons, now aged 15 and 18, back to New Zealand to settle into the Kiwi lifestyle.

"We immediately saw that this place had the potential for a renovation," recalls Helen. "The amazing swimming pool and tropical gardens were already in place, the views were just fantastic. All we wanted to do was open up the living to accommodate teenage boys and all their friends and bring the sea views right in."

The renovation has achieved its goal: the pool attracts hoards of boys and their friends all summer, while the ground floor pool room (with, yes, a built-in bar and entertainment centre) is the teen-magnet when the weather turns rough. An outdoor room beside the pool invites all day lounging. Cantilevered above the cliffs, the decking collects morning through to late-evening sun. The garden also hosted more sedate crowds, including 45 guests (plus caterers and entertainment) for Helen's recent marriage to Kurt Borchert this summer.

The original architect, Pepper Dixon, updated his 1970s design to extend small dining and living rooms into bigger spaces, opening up floor-to-ceiling windows, adding open stainless steel balustrades, columns and plaster to replace the earlier window seat nooks, cedar and beams. Helen retained the existing kitchen with its luxury granite benches and parquet floors, but refreshed bathrooms and the welcoming entry foyer with modern tile and sandstone.

The light-filled entry draws visitors up the stairs to the living floor and views of Campbells Bay and the Hauraki Gulf, with Great Barrier and the Coromandel in the distance. This living floor includes a separate bedroom wing for the teens, served by its own entry. The guest room has its own brick fireplace, study and balcony capturing yet another angle of sea and sky. This would make one of the most tempting home offices on the shore.

The top floor master bedroom is now a self-contained adult retreat. Even the bathroom catches wide views of the sea.

"When the house fills up with teens, we can retreat up here to watch the sunsets," says Helen.

The brilliantly landscaped garden by award winner Ted Smyth needed no renovation: the solar heated pool, with artist tiles and shimmering stainless steel surfaces sits in a tropical garden, complete with sculptural water features. Japanese touches join the decks, some for eating, some for lounging. Paths lead around the house to a productive orchard and rose garden tucked away from the sea breezes.

Helen and Kurt are selling the house to develop their business dreams. However, they so love the lifestyle they are planning to move less than a kilometre away to the other side of the Campbells Bay beach. Their clifftop hideaway is ready for the next family to retreat to.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGE: 2+

SIZE: Land cross lease half share of 2592sq m; house 380sq m.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2.15pm-3 pm.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected from $3 million. Tenders close February 22.

CONTACT: Tricia Dudding, Barfoot & Thompson North Shore Elite Homes, ph 021 670 333 mob.

FEATURES: Clifftop architect-renovated home of cedar and plaster with views out to sea. Living floor features open plan gourmet kitchen, separate living and dining rooms with fireplace. Ted Smyth landscaped garden and pool, extensive decking and outdoor room. Pool room and bar.