SCHOOL ZONES:
Northcote Primary, Intermediate and College. St Mary’s Primary also very close by. Ponsonby Intermediate frequently accepts students from Northcote Point.
CONTACT:
David Holton, Barfoot & Thompson, 0275 465 866 or 480 7295.
AUCTION:
December 16.
With a passion for boats, Peter Windram has the perfect spot to watch vessels moving in and out of Auckland harbour.
His and wife Helen's elevated two-level home faces east and has picture windows that take in views of Bayswater, Rangitoto and Auckland City's wharves.
As Helen says: "Peter isfrom the Point, where his boating family lived. He has sailed boats from a very young age. He especially loves the view and can sit at the dining table with his binoculars studying the comings and goings. We laugh and call him the deputy harbour master."
This view captivated the Windrams six years ago when they bought the home.
"It's a view that can be viewed unobstructed from the kitchen and through floor-to-ceiling picture windows from the dining and lounge. You can see from the Tank Farm with Mt Eden in the background, in the middle is the Sky Tower and downtown, and we have views over to Stanley Bay, Bayswater and up to Takapuna, even Rangitoto in the background.
"It's an interesting view that constantly changes by day with cruise ships, container ships, pleasure boats and fishing boats. By night the lights are magic."
At the end of a right of way, the home's entry is on the main living level with a study/single bedroom to one side of the foyer and a powder room on the other. From here is access to the double garage, making it easy to ferry groceries to the kitchen.
The Windrams made the kitchen/dining/living area more open-plan so the views could be more widely enjoyed. A wall was removed and the walk-in pantry shifted to the rear of the kitchen. Reworking this area also makes the most of the high stud, creating a light, airy feel.
As Julie says: "We have modernised the interior considerably and changed the picture windows to double glazed. We have put bifolds on to our patio."
They also renovated the bathrooms, which serve as en suites to the two downstairs bedrooms, which have views of the harbour through trees. As well as a tiled en suite with glass shower, the master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe.
Upstairs, a balcony along the southern side of the living area wraps partially around the front of the house, and there's a walled patio on the northern side.
Image 1 of 5: It's awfully easy to become transfixed by the marinescape beyond these windows
Julie says: "We love entertaining, either formal or barbecues, and for the past five years have celebrated with our friends on New Year's Eve and enjoy the fireworks over the city."
The Windrams also enjoy easy access to local amenities. "We stroll over to our local tavern and meet friends there. It is only a five-minute walk up to the Bridgeway Theatre and restaurants. The ferry is only a five- to seven-minute walk.
There is a walkway down the bottom of the property where there is a stairway/ladder which takes us to the boat ramp, dinghy lockers and small beach."
Julie says selling will be a wrench, but she and Peter are retired and want to do more travelling.
