A terrace apartment at Cheltenham Beach offers the best of both worlds. Photo / Geoff Dale
Heraldhomes editor Estelle Sarney looks back on properties for sale that have fascinated readers and made news.
Charming rows of terrace houses dot the beaches of Europe. Yet New Zealand's urban coastline has rarely been graced with the best of both worlds: traffic-free beach at your doorstep with lock-and-leave apartment convenience.
Which is why Dennis O'Neal and Tania Couper's friends have questioned their sanity for putting their
house, one of the three beach terrace apartments at the north of Cheltenham Beach, on the market.
"We love living here," admits Dennis. "But we want chickens and vege gardens and the whole sustainable living thing," says Tania. "So we're looking at a big spread of land that we can build on."
The solid concrete apartment block was built in 1922. Locals were less than thrilled when the couple began work on the building, but a sympathetic heritage planner helped shepherd their plans through the council.
Now the row of buildings is a much-loved and picturesque addition to the beach. A circular conservatory-cum-media-room on the western end of the house opens to their landscaped garden. Flooded with light and sheltered by trees, the garden has delightful spots for breakfast or a dinner party.
The kitchen has the luxury of stainless steel and a marble mosaic trim. The dining room, like the rest of the main floor, is paved with handmade terracotta tiles.
The sitting room looks over the sea through french doors, its views shared by the master bedroom. An office shares the view through two vintage brass portholes.
Downstairs, the guest room opens to the beach two steps down, and has its own compact bathroom. Tucked behind is Dennis' pride - a cool wine cellar with room for 1500 bottles.
The gated stairs leading up from the beach have a handy shower for post-swim rinse-offs.
* 1C Bath St, Cheltenham, North Shore. Still on the market, price $2.98 million.
