Waterview: Urban oasis

An American basketballer tells Graham Hepburn how he managed to avoid DIY work for 46 years, until the time came to sell his Auckland house.

35 Saltaire Street, Waterview.

American Steven Crandell came here to play basketball 20 years ago and never felt like leaving. Until now.

He's packing up to head back home to Santa Barbara to go into business with his father.

"We're starting a company raising money for non-profits and charity," says Steven. "At the same time a house came up next to my best friend from high school so it seemed like fate."

He'll be leaving something behind though, having planted three pohutukawa in neighbouring Heron Park to mark the births of three of his four children.

Steven, who now works as a television producer, came to New Zealand in 1985 to play for Nelson in the national basketball league.

He and his wife, Kathleen Clancy, bought the house in Saltaire Street in 2001, and Steven says in all that time he had been blissfully ignorant of the DIY craze until it came to selling the seven-year-old home.

"When we were thinking of selling, a friend had come by and said it was a great house but it looked older than it was."

So Steven and Kathleen decided to have the house and decking cleaned and re-stained, as well as having the grounds landscaped with palms and ferns to complement the existing native trees.

The re-stained board and batten house now looks pristine in its manuka tinge, which contrasts nicely with the dark-coloured aluminium joinery and roof.

The downstairs of the house has an open plan living area with a sunny deck through French doors. The plywood kitchen has stainless steel benches and an island with a stainless steel top.

Down the hallway are two bedrooms and a bathroom, and access to the double garage.

Upstairs is the large master bedroom and en suite. There are views over the park and mangroves to the upper harbour.

"We sometimes come up here at night and watch the sunset as a family. And when the wind is right you can smell the salt air."

Steven says the fact that the house is near the end of a cul de sac and has a park next door makes it feel like a retreat despite being so close to the central city.

"Although there are neighbours they tend to live on the other side of their houses so you don't feel like you have people overlooking you," he says.

"It's an urban oasis. There's no bustly stuff here - it's what it's like to live in New Zealand. You want a place where the bush is part of your life.

"Having lived here and raised kids, it's a fantastic place and it's close to the city. This area is becoming increasingly desirable."

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 450sq m, house 129sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $480,000-$520,000.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1pm-1.45pm, or by appointment.

CONTACT : Vincent Barnao, Anne Duncan Team Advantage, ph 846 9470 bus, 027 275 8925 mob, 815 5025 a/h or Val Botica, ph 846 9470 bus, 0274 746 180 mob, 846 2075 a/h.

FEATURES: Contemporary board and batten home with landscaped gardens in a quiet no exit street. Open plan living downstairs that opens to the north facing deck. Water views from the upper level. Internal access double garage. Zoned for Avondale College.