Takapuna: Summer Holidays

This absolutely waterfront property is all about having fun in the sun, writes VICKI HOLDER.

With one of the longest frontages on Takapuna Beach, this big property makes it easy to enjoy the ultimate relaxed, beachy, boating lifestyle.

After relocating the existing house to Waiheke Island's Onetangi Beach 13 years ago, the owners had designer Crofton Umbers create a home with wide doorways and a lift rising up through the three levels. Beneath the house, Umbers included an enormous garage where all the family toys - such as the speed boat, kayaks, surfboards and a tractor - could be stored without cluttering up the double garage on the other side.

Access across the garden from the storage area to the beach is straight through a set of heavy security gates. There's not a track, walkway or cliff to get in the way, which is something the owner believes only around 50 homes in Auckland can boast. The tractor can tow the boat over the white sandy beach and launch it straight into the surf, so the family can be at their Waiheke Beach house with all their gear within 35 minutes.

Just about everything has been thought of to simplify life and cut down on maintenance in this luxurious seaside home. Because the sea air can play havoc with building materials, the joinery is powder-coated aluminium and the substantial sloping roof is Welsh slate, which is as durable as you'll find.

Privacy is well-catered for in solar reflective glass windows, which also gives UV protection. The lower levels are set back behind decks, tall fencing and pohutukawa trees. The latter give shelter to the garden, which is landscaped on different levels and has many places to sit.

The home provides a variety of living areas, all opening out to balconies and terraces with stunning harbour views. Solid Tasmanian oak parquet flows between the sunny, open family rooms, which are overlooked by the kitchen. Bifold windows draw across the kitchen bench so refreshments can be passed out to those enjoying the sun and view on the deck. On the wall, a video monitor lets the owners check visitors before letting them in the gate.

A conservatory/sitting area unfolds to a paved courtyard where a swimming pool with jets is kept clean by an automatic cover that disappears at the touch of a button.

Double doors open to the lounge and formal dining area, which can be warmed by a log fire and/or gas central heating in winter. This area also has bifold windows across the front that draw back to open the room to the view and sea breezes.

A master-sized bedroom suite downstairs is ideal for guests. The downstairs bathroom also provides a shower and changing room for those using the pool. There are three more bedrooms, a tiny study and several more bathrooms on the middle level. The bedrooms in front open to huge decks with great beach views. There's also another sitting area, where the children can escape to watch television.

The top floor is devoted to entertaining and fun in a huge room that spills out to a terrace - the ideal place to be when the America's Cup was on. The owner assures it's a great people-watching place, as you gain a bird's-eye view of the activity along the shore. There's even a kitchenette up there, so you and your guests don't need to trek down to the kitchen for drinks.

Storage is considerable under the eaves. In fact, the whole house has unbelievable capacity, aimed at the busy family with a wide range of interests.

On its incredible waterfront playground, so close to Takapuna, this huge home packs in everything you could think of to make living here one long summer holiday.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 50 Hauraki Rd, Takapuna.

FEATURES: Three-level, walled property on Takapuna beach; large balconies and terraces; huge basement storage with three phase power; internal-access double garaging with auto garage door, plus separate garage; video security; multiple family and formal living areas on different levels; four bedrooms; four bathrooms; study; lift access to all levels; central vacuum system; solar reflective glass windows; heated lap pool with swim jets.

SIZE: Land area 716sq m; floor area 383sq m plus 40sq m boat storage under the house.

AUCTION: 10am, October 23, Bruce Mason centre, Takapuna.

AGENT: Stephen Rendell, Barfoot & Thompson, Remuera. Ph 524 0149 bus; 021 949 394 mob.