Mt Eden: From Ships to shore

A former port manager turned his skills to overseeing the construction of his family home.

32a Pentland Avenue, Mt Eden.

Chris Connor likes running a tight ship.  When he left his post 18 months ago as general manager of operations at Lyttelton Port, he turned his managerial and logistical skills to building his family home in Mt Eden.

He traded overseeing the busy schedule of ship movements at the South Island port for managing a team of builders and tradesmen at his 588sq m section in the quiet leafy Mt Eden cul-de-sac of Pentland Avenue.

In just 16 weeks, Chris and his team built a two-storeyed, five-bedroom timber home on what was once a patch of dirt and weeds.

"The foundations were laid in July 2004 and we moved in at the end of November," he recalls.

"It was record-breaking stuff," he says. "Relationship management is really important when you're dealing with lots of people. I don't have a problem delivering tough messages - but I try to do it in a nice way. We drove hard and I made sure no-one was losing time."

He says some of his suppliers didn't think he could keep to the tight schedule. The kitchen manufacturers didn't meet the deadline, nor did his roofing suppliers.

But it's often about how you recover, he stresses. The kitchen makers showed goodwill by putting Chris, wife Jennifer, and their two young children up in a nearby motel until the kitchen was installed.

The Connors bought the subdivided site five years ago from the next door neighbours.

While based in Christchurch, the couple sketched plans of their dream home, which is tucked among native trees with lovely views to the Waitakere Ranges and a glimpse of Eden Park.

"I used to doodle in my spare time in Christchurch," says Chris. "The house is in a heritage protected zone. We wanted a design that incorporated traditional features."

He's pleased with many of the decorative features, including the corbels which he designed on his computer.

"We didn't want to build in plaster. It had to be constructed in timber and have a high stud."

The Connors are proud of the end result. They wanted their home to combine all the mod cons of today's living yet blend in with the surrounding villas and bungalows.

Rich polished kwila floors greet visitors at the front entrance. To the left, the house features a formal lounge with gas fireplace, and to the right, a light-filled open plan dining and family room which spills out onto a courtyard enclosed by Portuguese laurels.

A hallway leads from the kitchen and family room to the master bedroom and study which easily doubles as a sixth bedroom. Upstairs are four generous-sized bedrooms - the biggest and sunniest adopted by the Connors' cat, Sammy.

Their home also features a double garage with internal access and plenty of storage space. A keen seafarer and diver, Chris ensured there was ample room to park the boat. The property also features a small built-in children's play area.

The courtyard is the couple's favourite spot.

"Jen and I just love it out here," says Chris. "It's quite lovely with all the trees."

"We often sit out here when there's a big game on at Eden Park and gauge the game by the crowd's mood," adds Jennifer.

The Connors have lived at Pentland Avenue for just over a year and say they're looking at a change in lifestyle.

While they're keen to remain anchored in Mt Eden, they'd like to free up some capital and perhaps develop something near the beach.

Vital Statisics

BEDROOMS: 5+

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGE: 2+

SIZE: Land 588sq m, house 289sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Upwards of $1.2 million. Auction February 1.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm.

CONTACT: Peter Scholes, Unlimited Potential, ph 631 0134 bus, 021 960 974 mob, or Colleen Strachan 021 283 6194 mob.

FEATURES: As-new, two-storey timber home with traditional features. Views to the Waitakeres and walking distance to Eden Park and the village. In Auckland Grammar zone.