SCHOOL ZONES:
Ponsonby Primary, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College.
CONTACT:
Patrick McCarthy, 027 233 3988, Unlimited Potential.
AUCTION:
Sept 7.
Retired racing greyhound Rebel has gained a new lease on life living with Josh and Jodi Comrie and eight-year-old English pointer, Stig. The Comries were supposed to foster Rebel only temporarily after his retirement, but they've fallen in love with him and adopted him, so he is now in his"forever home".
Well, not quite yet. He'll remain with Josh, Jodi and Stig, but they're all moving to the countryside where the two dogs will have more space to run and play.
Josh, Jodi and Stig moved into St Francis de Sales St two years ago after a two-year search for a house they intended to live in for the next decade. Coming from Ponsonby, Josh says they had a "short, but defined" list of criteria, which included a double garage with direct access to a main living space and kitchen.
They also wanted two living rooms, a good view, a pool and a decent-sized master bedroom and bathroom. They found it all and more here in this three-level contemporary home, where the front door and double garage are in the middle storey, at street level.
Their second-tier list of desired features included a wine cellar and they have one here, which is temperature-controlled, with a 1900-bottle capacity. Josh points out the cellar is one of his favourite features. There are glimpses of it through small windows in the stairwell down to the ground floor. Also downstairs are two generous double bedrooms, a full bathroom and the second living room, which opens on to a terrace and the pool, with an easy-care garden.
Image 1 of 6: When an old greyhound joined the family they realised they had to find pastures new. Photos / Kellie Blizard
"It's great having this space down here as we entertain people from overseas a lot as Jodi is from the UK," Josh says.
The main living area, kitchen, a further bedroom and en suite, plus a guest powder room, are on the middle floor, along with internal-access to the garage. The kitchen has a suite of Miele appliances, including an inbuilt coffee machine. A large deck off the open-plan living and dining room provides fantastic views of Westhaven marina.
The entire top storey is dedicated to a magnificent master suite. "It's due-north here, so it gets all-day sun," says Josh. In the heat of summer, air-conditioning keeps the room cool, and in winter a gas fireplace keeps it cosy. Sliders open from the bedroom on to a good-sized deck and the panoramic view. "This is a beautiful spot to come up to," Josh says. "It's a great place to relax with a glass of wine or a book." The Comries sometimes have "decknics" up here -- picnics on the deck.
Josh says one of the great things about this house's position in St Marys Bay is that it's very quiet. At the most, they only hear the distant hum of the motorway occasionally, depending on which way the breeze is blowing. Inside the house, behind double glazing, there's no noise at all. Another benefit is that street parking is easy to find, unlike parts of Ponsonby.
Also making up the master suite is a large dressing room and a spacious en suite with a large shower and standalone, egg-shaped bath. "This bath was a key feature for Jodes," Josh says. "She loves it." The toilet is hidden behind its own door within the en suite. It's a luxurious room in a house that has ticked all the boxes for the Comries, but their plans have changed. They're a two-dog family now with the arrival of Rebel, so a life in the country beckons.
