St Heliers: Sleek and sophisticated

Off the family area, the covered terrace provides outdoor living for all weathers. Picture / Frank Breslin

The height of modern-day living is epitomised in these new, ultra-contemporary homes in delightful St Heliers. By VICKI HOLDER.

Ayen for easy, secure, lock-up-and-leave-style living is often stymied by the desire to remain in the same location people have lived in and loved for years. When you reside in a prestigious position on the cliff in St Heliers with a view over the bay to the city, it would be extremely difficult to move anywhere else that would give as much enjoyment.

These new homes from SMG Developments were designed by architect Brent Hulena to cater for those who love the location but want a more modern, sophisticated living environment. They're as big as any traditional family home with high studs, triple-car garaging underneath and a huge amount of practical storage throughout. Yet sheltered outdoor living areas require minimal gardening effort. And the views are cleverly maximised from both the upstairs levels.

Two voluminous living rooms with gas fires flank a large central courtyard, which is in itself another living area. It has hard flooring with pavers around an outdoor fireplace where you can keep warm even on cooler nights.

The entertaining lounge sits furthest from the ocean, opening along one side through glass sliders to the outdoor area. It looks through the family area on the opposite side to gain sea views.

The family area is enriched by a sea of walnut-coloured timber flooring. Aluminium louvres let the cool air in above the hearth without compromising on privacy.

Sitting space is separated from the kitchen by an enormous dark granite island bench housing deep drawers and an integrated Asko dishwasher. Two pantries conceal groceries at either end behind timber-look doors. Frosted glass bifolds add a chic twist above the double Ilve oven in the spacious cooking recess.

Glass sliders draw back so you can step out to a covered terrace that shelters from the inclement Auckland weather. You can soak up the magnificent views over a tree-studded reserve. A gate from the front of the property allows children to slip down to the reserve to play without crossing roads. Bordering the terrace, the requisite pool balustrade poses no barrier to the view, for strengthened glass does the trick. There are no tedious lawns to think about while you relax, yet the landscaping is attractive. Shrubs will soften the boundary wall and ground creepers will soon fill the spaces between the pavers at the end of the pool.

While the main living areas are on the first level, another small lounge in the main bedroom suite upstairs provides an escape for reading or watching television. The bedroom opens to an enclosed loggia, an outdoor room that can be partially opened up or closed off, depending on the weather. In summer, bifolding aluminium louvres slide back to make it feel like a veranda. However, in winter everything can be shut up so it's like an internal room. The bathroom is positioned so the owners can lounge in the granite-clad Kaldewai bath and look out through the loggia to the view.

Quality is obvious in all three bathrooms. Underfloor heating features under the tiles, the vanities are granite and the basins are from Duravit's Philippe Starck range.

There are four bedrooms, all with double wardrobes reaching to the ceiling.

On the same level as the garaging, a lift rises through the floors, which saves having to lug the groceries upstairs. The laundry is packed with storage and there are two alternative wine cellar options. And a coat cupboard fitted with shelves is something most new homes neglect.

Known for their quality, luxurious masonry homes with the finest fittings, SMG has ventured for the first time into this prestigious older coastal suburb. Once again, the company delivers faultless, spacious living environments in a location that puts owners within walking distance of the village and all amenities.

ADDRESS: 39 Cliff Rd, St Heliers, Auckland.

FEATURES: New homes designed by Hulena Architects; four bedrooms; master suite with own lounge and enclosed loggia; three bathrooms; two living areas; three fireplaces; inner courtyard plus balconies; swimming pool; double garage; lift; sea views; close to village and beach.

SIZE: Land area 370sq m; floor area 400sq m.

PRICE: $3.950 million.

AGENT: Megan Jaffe, Kellands Real Estate. Ph 302 2209 bus; 021 611 461 mob.