SCHOOL ZONES:
Victoria Avenue School, Remuera Intermediate, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls’ Grammar.
CONTACT:
Heather Walton, 021 432167, Ray White.
*Plus one off-street
A new Carrara marble-sided pool, which weighs 25 tonnes when filled, looks dramatic at night thanks to its high-spec lighting. When it came to the renovation of his Remuera home, Leo Molloy put as much thought into its ambience at night as its functionality during the day. Even the rebuiltdeck, spacious at nearly 200sq m, is designed to be enjoyed under the stars as well as when the sun is shining.
A new Carrara marble-sided pool, which weighs 25 tonnes when filled, looks dramatic at night thanks to its high-spec lighting. New sunken seating around an outdoor fireplace and barbecue is a gathering spot in the evenings.
The hospitality veteran, who set up renowned Euro restaurant in 1999, bought the 1970s era home 18 months ago as a family base for his five children, aged between 8 and 15. The house, set down a private and secure driveway, had been renovated, but Leo and his family were keen to put their own stamp on it.
Like many a renovation project, it grew much bigger. What started out as an 8 to 10-week timeline to refresh the interior with new tiles, painting and drapes turned into a 7 to 8-month project where about a third of the house was rebuilt to a plan by Macintosh Harris Design.
The starting point was removing an existing conservatory that was too hot in summer and too difficult to heat in winter. In its place went a room that could still be open to the fresh air, thanks to ingenious bi-fold windows that turn the new casual living area and kitchen into a kind of semi-pavilion. Its coloured cork flooring feels soft underfoot.
The new kitchen, designed by Mal Corboy, features marble, one of Leo's favourite materials, along with stainless steel and timber detailing and a generous Aga-like Falcon oven. Mal also designed Leo's en suite, a compact room, but one which includes a luxurious bath, waterfall shower and twin basins.
Image 1 of 9: A well thought-out renovation means the next owners can rest easy -- day or night. Photos / Ted Baghurst/supplied
"It's a bit like a hotel," Leo says. "Nothing is over-sized, but there's one of everything."
The master bedroom, which has a walk-through wardrobe, opens on to the new kwila deck. The deck was a feat of engineering, with 32 piles driven into the ground to support it.
Leo's daughters Amelia, George and Daisy love having their friends over to swim in the 7m pool, which turns into an over-size spa pool, thanks to a bench seat that runs its length and its "disco lighting".
Next to the pool, a shady cabana is a great place to escape from the heat, but Leo says the girls like rolling its sides down to turn it into a changing room when they have their pool parties. Next to the cabana is an ingenious outdoor shower fixed to a magnolia tree. The deck overlooks a leafy valley, with Auckland Museum and the Skytower in the background.
Back inside the split-level house, a more formal sitting room has a fireplace with room for a formal dining table. The room has a Ralph Lauren/library vibe, with a large Pop Art print of Jackie Kennedy, one of Leo's favourite public figures.
Upstairs are the children's bedrooms, along with a spacious kids' lounge. One of the bedrooms is connected to its own powder room. The other two bedrooms upstairs have their own mezzanine levels with extra beds, great fun for the girls when they have friends to stay.
As perfect as this house has been for Leo and his family in the hot summer weather, it's now time to sell as Leo is visiting Queenstown more often to pursue business interests there.
