If you want to pamper yourself in a country club environment but don't fancy leaving the city, here's your cue, says VICKI HOLDER.
Surrounded by the open spaces expected of a rural property, this waterfront home is pure indulgence. And with the Birkenhead ferry just next door, it's five minutes
from the Viaduct Basin.
Set on two titles on Birkenhead Pt, the property includes a big 600 sq m home as well as a spacious, award-winning architecturally designed guest complex, built to complement the spectacular pool.
While they've lived in their 16-year-old home, this family has been spoilt with a lifestyle designed for pleasure. Featuring clever tropical landscaping, there are no fussy gardens to steal leisure time.
The heated swimming pool is long and elegant. On one side, a stunning waterfall is set in a triangular wall of horizontal black and white tiles. Lines of black tiles radiate from a circular paddling area towards the guest house which forms an arc around the patio and pool. A steel pergola creates an attractive skeletal link to the building design.
A spa pool is raised in one corner. Floodlit at night, it is an area that can be enjoyed at any time. The pool cum guest house includes a kitchenette, big living area, double bedrooms and two bathrooms including an en suite. The whole complex dramatically cantilevers out over the cliff, where you can look down on your boat mooring below.
Pohutukawa frame sensational views of Auckland city across the harbour.
Standing on the clifftop you take in the harbour bridge, without the annoyance of motorway noise. Views can also be appreciated from the paved pathways built along the clifftop which wind through the garden, and which are punctuated with sheltered sitting areas under big tropical palms.
For a sporting family, the facilities are so good, you hardly need to leave home. An international-standard floodlit Astroturf tennis court stretches from the house to the sea.
Set on six split levels, the main house has an enviable variety of living spaces as well as a solarium, sauna and another spa pool. A 120 sq m deck laid with Astroturf once formed the owner's putting green.
Double doors take you to a big light-filled entry, paved with Italian tiles. It steps down to the main living area which, although not open-plan, has a sense of space and light through the clever use of glass. Double glass doors open directly to the lounge. The kitchen and dining areas are screened behind a wall of glass bricks. And a huge pane of glass sits across low shelving between the dining room and lounge, ensuring uninterrupted views across the tennis court to the harbour bridge, even from the kitchen at the rear.
The modern kitchen has direct access to the double garage. A dappled grey Avonite bench on a central island is ample space on which to perch the groceries. And there's a vast amount of storage in traditionally styled white cabinetry as well as a walk-in pantry.
An eye-level dishwasher and GEC fridge/freezer cater for the large amount of entertaining that's likely to happen here. There's also a bar fridge tucked into a discreet area in the corner of the lounge.
The master suite with a storage room and guest bathroom sits on the same level as the living area. Upstairs, there are two more bedrooms (one with an en suite) and a second family room with a balcony. Down below, guest quarters include a bedroom with another separate bathroom. On an even lower level, there's another family room or gymnasium with kitchenette, wine cellar, another bar and a full-size billiard table that goes with the house.
This area opens to a single garage, laundry and workshop spaces that are accessed by the second driveway where there's parking space for about 10 cars. Which is just as well. Because once your friends cotton on to the comprehensive luxury package you have acquired, it's going to be hard keeping this superb environment to yourself.
Vital Statistics
Address: 3-5 Hinemoa St, Birkenhead
Features: Luxury clifftop home on two titles, pool/guest complex, heated pool and spa, solarium, indoor spa, five bedrooms, five bathrooms, three bar areas, tennis court, wine cellar, three living areas, intercom system to bedrooms, security system, garden irrigation gas central heating.
Size: Land 2300 sq m; house 600 sq m
Price: $2 million plus
Contact: Christine Smallwood, Profile Realty, Milford. Ph 489 9050 bus, 478 8141 ah.
If you want to pamper yourself in a country club environment but don't fancy leaving the city, here's your cue, says VICKI HOLDER.
Surrounded by the open spaces expected of a rural property, this waterfront home is pure indulgence. And with the Birkenhead ferry just next door, it's five minutes
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.