SCHOOL ZONES:
Waiheke Primary, Te Huruhi Primary School, Waiheke High School.
CONTACT:
Clive Lonergan, Bayleys, 0274 993 278.
When Gene O'Neill and Liz Eglinton were looking for land to build a luxury lodge on Waiheke Island, they specifically wanted a place their guests would feel as if they had "fallen off the face of the earth for a while".
You have only to pause to appreciate the viewas you come down the driveway of their prestigious Te Whau Lodge to see they have achieved that dream. Stretching out in front is the western part of Waiheke Island, hills tumbling almost on top of each other, punctuated by gentle bays and the greenery of the bush and trees framing the houses of Ostend, Surfdale, Blackpool.
Over the water that view stretches past Motuihe, Browns and Rangitoto islands and on to Auckland city with the Skytower making its stand against the sky, framed by the distant Waitakeres.
The lodge settles into this stunning environment, complementing but not competing against what nature has done so well.
Gene says they owned the land for several years before they settled on this design.
The couple had come across from Auckland and saw the section late on a Sunday afternoon, rating it as having a wow factor. By the Wednesday they had negotiated to buy the land. "It was the spectacular views, and the proximity to Auckland," says Gene.
For the lodge design they wanted something that would be quintessentially New Zealand. "It had to be timber and Lockwood."
Barry Rae Transurban designed the plans which were sent to Lockwood to assess the build requirements.
"That Lockwood component gave it that lodge look, and lots of glass," says Gene. "It is a simple building because you have such a magnificent panorama, you need to maximise that, and not build an architectural statement."
Image 1 of 8: This guest house and home makes the most of its exceptional setting. Photos / Kellie Blizard
But though the building's appearance is simple, with its clean lines and crisp native New Zealand pine, it's actually a complex structure including high, sloping sarked ceilings and clerestory windows. In total it houses six bedrooms and six bathrooms, four in the guest wing and two in the family wing.
Coming in from the driveway the entrance provides the guests with a framed panorama toward Kennedy Bay. To the right are the guest quarters - each en-suited super king bedroom has a private deck overlooking the native bush to the views. Decor acknowledges the landscape and seaside, and baby corrugated iron and macrocarpa shelving in the en suites salute of early baches.
To the left of the main entrance is a lounge with gas fire, the dining room which seats up to 14, and the commercial-sized kitchen with 900mm Westinghouse oven. These areas open to the expansive hardwood decking, facing the view.
Moving on from the kitchen you have the walk-in pantry with Bakbar oven, the office, commercial laundry, the family's bedrooms and bathrooms (one is en suite) and double garage. This area opens out to the family's outdoor area including potager gardens where they grow vegetables and herbs used in the lodge.
Liz has been responsible for the interior decor and the architect's son Nick worked on the original landscaping.
Te Whau peninsula is about 8km from the vehicular ferry, and an easy drive to beaches, wineries and cafes. Another drawcard is the magnificent walks. One in particular is a walk down Vintage Lane to Dead Dog Bay and the sculpture park, returning along Margaret Reeve Lane.
Gene and Liz say their home would make a great place for an extended family.
"We have had 16 great years here and we want to leave while we still enjoy it. The last year has been as enjoyable as the first," says Gene.
He says the special aspect of this exceptional place is that the views are as good at night as they are during the day. "All the city starts to light up."
