Parnell: Lock-and-leave luxury

Presiding over the sea and sky, this luxurious clifftop hideaway is a spacious, flexible, lock-up-and-leave alternative to an apartment. By VICKI HOLDER.

For those who travel frequently and need to know they can walk out at a moment's notice and be assured of complete security, this home is ideal.

In a leafy enclave among several other homes, it's found behind security gates at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Parnell. The gates open automatically with a remote, allowing the owners to drive straight into the internal-access double garaging. Guests are also well provided for with ample off-street parking near the front door among the many gardenia shrubs planted in borders along the driveway.

Elegant formal entertaining areas and relaxing casual quarters flow to generous, private outdoor spaces inaccessible to anybody but the owners. On the main floor, they merge across a stunning Italianate pool courtyard, that provides a sheltered place to sit and soak up the sun. Ficus has been encouraged to grow up the plastered walls, giving a soft, green garden outlook.

The pool, which has fencing that can be installed when children are about, is heated by gas. Copper lights low down around the parapet make it inviting at night-time, especially when water trickles from the elegant water feature standing at one end. Although the pool is not big, swim jets create exercise for those who don't want to leave the property.

From the grand formal area across the harbour aspect you can see birds at eye level sitting in the trees on the cliff and hear the water gently stirring at the bottom. The room features a sitting space before a double-size gas fire, although there's additional heating in the ceiling. Built-in cabinetry lets owners hide away the television and entertainment equipment, and a pull-out bar fridge saves having to walk to the kitchen for refreshments. Sliding glass doors open this part of the room to a sun-drenched limestone balcony, where you can sit all day and admire the spectacular action-packed view across Hobson Bay and the Waitemata Harbour to Orakei, Rangitoto and Devonport.

The dining space at the other end of the room is embraced by bifolding doors opening to the wide part of the terrace and the internal courtyard. Sitting here with the doors open is more like being outside than in. Yet when the doors are shut, you can still enjoy the garden and harbour outlooks.

Gas is plumbed to the balcony and the courtyard, so it's possible to light flares or have a barbecue outside.

More intimate than the formal area, a casual sitting room with heated limestone flooring and a gas fire has built-in desks and a laundry behind bifolds. The room adjoins the kitchen across a honey-streaked granite benchtop. The kitchen is equipped with a big Kenmore fridge-freezer, a trash compactor, two Gaggenau wall ovens and a gas hob set into the granite bench. Bifold windows draw back so that meals can be served outside to guests in the courtyard. And cream-painted timber shutters across a servery to the formal room can open, so the chefs can chat to visitors as they prepare meals.

Self-contained living downstairs gives flexibility for a live-in housekeeper or guests, who can enjoy the privilege of their own lounge (opening to a parterre garden), a kitchen, two bedrooms opening outdoors and a large bathroom, plus access to the laundry and storage.

The owners can get away from everyone on the top level where there is a large bedroom suite with huge views across a balcony. Both sides of the bedroom are lined with cupboards, and a room-sized dressing room is fitted with loads of shelves and drawers. It opens to a large bathroom with limestone floors, separate toilet, spa bath, glass shower and twin vanity. A smaller bedroom behind could be used as a study or another children's room.

Enjoying peace, quiet and solitude, this big, easy home is just reward for a lifetime of hard work.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 32B Awatea Rd, Parnell.

FEATURES: Contemporary waterfront home in secure, gated clifftop enclave; three levels; four bedrooms; two and a half bathrooms; three living areas - casual and formal areas on main level opening to pool courtyard and north-facing terrace; self-contained area downstairs with separate open-plan living and kitchenette opening to garden; big harbour views; outdoor areas plumbed for flares and barbecue; two gas fireplaces; two laundries; laundry chute at top of stairs; master bedroom with dressing room and en suite; ironing board in main bedroom; pull-out bar fridge in living area; underfloor heating in tiled areas; ceiling heating in carpeted areas; gas-heated pool.

SIZE: Floor area approx 480sq m.

TENDER CLOSES: 4pm, April 2.

AGENT: Leila MacDonald, Barfoot & Thompson, Remuera. Ph 524 0149 bus; 021 928 926 mob.