SCHOOL ZONES:
Northcote Primary, St Mary’s, Northcote intermediate and college.
CONTACT:
Fran and Mel Weinstein, Premium, 021 432432, 022 1345676.
*Plus office
**Single carport
Outside the big windows looking out to the water and Rangitoto, busy Auckland Harbour Bridge traffic races by.
Inside, the traffic noise hardly registers. When Hannah Turner-Padgett's mum lived in this townhouse, she put in hush glass so now you get to watch the goings-on on the harbour and motorwaybut without the noise.
"And the view's never the same because the colour's always changing, and the colour is amazing every day," says Hannah.
The sun pours into the lounge and a row of window seating provides the perfect spot to sit or lie down with a book. The room is airy and open-plan and the kitchen, with its stainless steel benches, is positioned to take in the view. When summer comes, Hannah pulls back a line of bi-fold doors to turn the courtyard, with louvred roof and spa pool, into one big open entertainer's space.
Hannah had parties here, including her engagement party and her hen night, and says her 22nd birthday was quite a do.
"The whole place is just very social. We've had a lot of big family gatherings and even when you're cooking you're never away from anybody. It really is great for that."
Behind the patio is the garage, which her mum turned into a study because she worked from home, and this room also has views across the harbour.
Hannah's grandmother lived in the townhouse next door for 13 years. But the grandmother, now in her late 90s, had a fall and has moved to other accommodation. Hannah's mother now wants to move over the bridge to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.
Image 1 of 8: Modern, fresh and light-filled, this high-tech townhouse is perched above the water
Hannah's mother is a businesswoman who travels a lot and found the house perfect to lock up and leave with minimal maintenance requirements.
Hannah spent a lot of time in both houses and has lived in this one.
"It's really quiet, and when you've got music going, or the TV going, you actually don't really hear the traffic at all, it's incredible. I mean, even the courtyard is very quiet."
When Hannah was here, she took the upstairs master bedroom, although Hannah's mum turned the downstairs into a boudoir, creating a stylish bedroom and transforming the bedroom next door into her dressing room.
The upstairs bedroom with en suite is lovely to wake up in, Hannah says, because you can look out at the water and the city.
"When it was designed I think this would have been considered the master bedroom, but this has always been mum's guest room. My husband and I lived up here and it absolutely works for a couple."
The room is away from the living area and has plenty of privacy, she says.
Her mum also likes high tech and there are keypads to control the lighting and louvres, and a metal screen can be brought down in the lounge to reduce the sun but keep the view.
Hannah says the community around here is great, with the pub up the road, cafes and the Bridgeway Theatre all walkable, as is the ferry to the city, though driving there takes only five minutes.
The whole family has loved the house, which has been a sanctuary for her mum, Hannah says, but it's time to move on.
