The 1926 brick-and-concrete house, first built as a doctor's residence and later used as a boarding house then a rest home, had been extensively remodelled in 1986 by the developer who owned it before the Oliver family.
Remaining features of the original house include a bay window and beautiful ceilings on the ground level. The 1986 makeover, as well as high-quality renovations done by the Olivers, have created a well-planned, modern home with large, multiple spaces that are user-friendly rather than imposing.
"The number of rooms and overall spaciousness really appealed to us. This is a great house for entertaining and we have had a few parties here, I can tell you," says David.
The house sits at the end of a right-of-way with two double garages, including an internal-access one, to one side of its own large section of driveway, which has space for even more parking.
A huge entrance lobby on the ground level leads through to two large lounges which are divided by floor-to-ceiling glass-panelled doors that fold back to create a mini ballroom-sized space for entertaining large crowds.
These north-facing front rooms look out across Westhaven Marina and open out to a patio that leads down to a semi-circular swimming pool whose shape complements curved windows in parts of the house.
This level includes a large new kitchen installed six years ago by the Olivers when they also renovated two of the home's three bathrooms, including their large en suite, and re-carpeted the whole house.
The kitchen - which includes a butler's pantry and conservatory-style, east-facing breakfast area - is just a few metres from the internal-access garage and next to a large laundry leading to a utility area that includes the clothes line and a vegetable garden.
Wide stairs from the lobby lead up to three bedrooms on the middle level, including the huge master bedroom, en suite and walk-in wardrobe, and a bedroom with room for a double bed and two singles. Both these bedrooms open on to a curved north-facing deck. At the other end of the landing is a third large bedroom which doubles as an office, a bathroom and large family room with a home-theatre system including a large roll-down screen.
Originally built as a billiard room, this space has a concrete floor beneath its carpet and a gas fire. It opens on to a west-facing balcony that looks out to the Chelsea Sugar Refinery and has steps leading down to the utility area.
Up more stairs, on the third level is an apartment-style space with a large bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and dining space.
The home's features include a central vacuuming system, underfloor gas heating and plenty of storage including large wardrobes and a walk-in storage room on the ground level.
The Olivers are ready to move into a smaller, lock-up and leave home.
"But we love this area, so if something came up next door, we'd grab it."
