2 Bucklands Beach Rd, Bucklands Beach. Photo / Ted Baghurst
2 BUCKLANDS BEACH RD BUCKLANDS BEACH
SIZE:
Land 1010sq m (in two separate titles), house 405sq m (approx).
PRICE INDICATION:
Interest expected above $2 million. Expressions of interest close March 28 (prior offers invited).
INSPECT:
Call to view.
SCHOOL ZONES:
Bucklands Beach Primary, Bucklands Beach Intermediate, Macleans College.
CONTACT:
Christina Hindle or Matt Hindle, Champion Realty, ph 535 5555, Christina 021 988 280, Matt 021 954 414.
FEATURES:
Large hilltop home with stellar views and privacy, on full site in two separate titles (both with views). Features include internal lift, master suite, integrated sound and air conditioning; with lovely garden located an easy walk from the beach.
The wave incorporated into this Bucklands Beach home pays homage to its glorious view.
Walk into the living area of Gavin and Janice Gerrard's handsome home of the past 18 years and you're enveloped in what would have to be one of the eastern suburbs' most jaw-dropping panoramas, sweeping from
Auckland Airport to Takapuna and Rangitoto Island. The focus is the ocean around Bucklands Beach, the sunsets are extraordinary and glorious views feature in many rooms in the house.
The "wave" is incorporated into the front of the home and required specially templated curved glass for doors and the glass balcony balustrading. Says Janice: "Actually, we've got curves all through the home, and it really seems to suit them."
The couple own Simorane Gerrard, a construction company experienced in building residential and industrial buildings, so they were well-equipped to build a premium home when they found a generous hilltop site offering views and a large, flat building site with good privacy. The 1010sq m property they're selling has two titles, so buyers could retain the home and develop the second title if desired. As a bonus, the site "borrows" space by neighbouring a little-used council reserve.
The Gerrards' build relied on premium materials. "My experience as a plumber and as a builder had taught me to use the best," Gavin explains. The plaster home is constructed of high-impact, non-moisture absorbent plastered polystyrene and incorporates elements considered cutting-edge at the time, such as a front-door camera, air-conditioning and thorough sound wiring with a centralised communication hub.
A lift has allowed less-mobile friends and family to visit. The construction-savvy couple had a good idea of what they wanted, but they still commissioned an architect to translate and hone their wishes. The sweeping front curve was one of his main inputs and a feature the Gerrards and visitors adore.
"But really the thing people comment on most is the view," Gavin says. "It just blows people out of the water."
There's little clue from the street what's up the curving driveway. It's a pleasant surprise to find it culminates in a big, handsome home with generous turning areas out front.
As well as extensive off-street parking, there's an internal-access double garage, plus a double carport.
The ground floor includes a sizeable rumpus room, with en suite, that opens to a patio; making it a nice option for teens or extended family.
The fore of the mid-level is devoted to a generous open-plan dining-living-kitchen area (with fireplace). Its wide, glass frontage opens to a roomy deck worshipping the view. The oak-floored kitchen, with curved drinks cabinet nearby, is also near a casual dining nook, one of the couple's many favourite spots.
Two good-sized bedrooms on this level share a patio and there's also the main bathroom, a separate toilet and a laundry.
There's a peachy view of Rangitoto Island from the top level's landing. And the spacious master suite with deck and walk-in wardrobe is so view-laden it's hard to drag your gaze inside.
The couple use the fourth bedroom across the landing as an additional sitting room. It has an adjoining office.
Janice has created a beautiful garden which incorporates clipped hedges, camellias and lawns. It's fenced, so great for children or pets. The beach is less than a minute's walk away and the Howick Golf Course is handy.
The Gerrards will miss their handsome home and its enticing outlook, but intend to spread their time between a "lock-up-and-leave" Auckland base and their beach house.
