The home's just across the road from beach access and just a couple of houses from a property owned for a long time by former All Black coach Graham Henry. The Davidsons like that its size is somewhat understated from the street and it's not until you come further that you truly appreciate its extent. Its 529sq m of living on three levels was built in 1998.
A secure pedestrian gate leads to the mid-floor front door, past a towering front yard phoenix palm transplanted from a South Auckland churchyard.
"This home has a lovely, relaxed elegance," says Ross. A lushly carpeted formal living-dining room and welcoming family room (both with gas fires) celebrate the view. Their recessed glass doors disappear creating seamless flow to the big front patio, where the couple spend a lot of time. This steps down to the front lawn and heated mosaic-clad pool complete with swim jets and a trio of fountains.
The couple say they particularly like sitting in the front family room admiring an ever-changing view which might include cruise liners one day and awe-inspiring sunsets the next.
Just the other day, Ross watched a dolphin cavorting around kayakers, doing a big belly-flop as if to say: "Look at me!".
The family room's parquet floor transitions into an immaculate kitchen with granite benches, a textured-stainless topped island and wide oven, paired with a combined microwave-oven-convection oven. The kitchen's generous cabinetry is typical of the extraordinary storage integrated through the home. The family dining area beside the kitchen opens to a back deck admiring the substantial rear lawn and gardens with gazebo and pohutukawa and puriri trees.
A rear corridor links a study, laundry and two bedrooms flanking an admirable bathroom. The couple accommodate friends visiting from overseas here and say they've particularly loved sharing the house. It includes features such as a four-zone sound system, PABX system and multi-zone heating under its extensive Italian tiling.
The master bedroom, with double-shower en suite and dressing room, is accompanied by its own living room, harbouring a third gas fire.
Bedroom and living both open to front balconies and luxuriate in the waterfront view stretching around the bays. Completing this level are the fourth bedroom with Rangitoto view (used as Linda's study) and the third bathroom.
When their younger son lived with them, he enjoyed the independence of a ground-floor bedroom with en suite and its own entrance. This level includes triple garaging bolstered by undercover parking in front of the garage.
To the fore of the garage is a wine cellar, workshop, a store-room that could accommodate gym equipment and a handy bathroom with steps up to the pool.
The couple say they'll miss the home and its friendly neighbourhood but plan to spend more time back in Canada, where both sons live and where their first grandchild is about to be born.
