SCHOOL ZONES:
Botany College, Somerville Intermediate and Point View Primary.
CONTACT:
Elena Mackor, Harcourts, 021 364 858.
AUCTION:
September 5, 10am on site (unless sold prior).
If big is really better, this handsome three-level property in the bright, shiny new suburb of Dannemora certainly fits the bill.
Ajad Handa, well-known for a chain of successful Indian restaurants around Auckland, resolved to build the ultimate dream home and every tiny detail is a testament to his skills and imagination.
"It had to be a house that would accommodate lots of people," he says. "In our culture, extended families like to live together."
Along with his son Jaycee, Ajad worked alongside the builders on the project, which took about 12 months to complete.
Sitting proud on its 832sq m site, this palatial 650sq m dwelling is larger than life, in fact, so large that you almost need a map and compass to navigate.
The solid front door and sunny atrium beyond leads through to the main formal lounge and the first of two nearly identical modern kitchens, one on this level and the other on the first floor.
Each has the added bonus of a smaller, fully functional scullery, behind a sliding door. In effect, this means that there are four preparation and cooking spaces.
"I put the sculleries next to each one because Indian food is delicious but it can linger in the air and on your clothes," says Ajad.
"It's like having a show kitchen where you make tea and coffee, then you cook smelly things in the scullery!" adds Jaycee.
Eight bedrooms throughout the house are smart-wired for modern technology, with a data station in the middle of the ground floor. It also serves the integrated sound system, security system and vacuum.
The bedrooms are all king-size, with big mirror-doored wardrobes. The master suite on the second floor, with its stunning city views and terrace, not only has a vast walk-in wardrobe and large bathroom, it also enjoys its own lounge.
There are four further, elegant tiled bathrooms, all with underfloor heating, frameless glass showers with monsoon heads, and one with a multi-jet bath.
One of two laundries also houses the property's sixth toilet.
Image 1 of 14: And your compass to explore 650sq m of contemporary, smart and sunny living space
"The really good thing about this house is that people can live quite separately if they wish to, and come together for meals sometimes.
"The ground level and first floor have separate meters and with a small amount of building work they could be made to be totally independent of each other," says Ajad.
The house enjoys so much sun that it's only on rare occasions that any of nine heat pumps are used.
"Even then it's only for a couple of hours," he says.
While the house itself is undeniably magnificent, the location is also a big drawcard.
"Botany Town Centre is five minutes away and the public transport routes are all nearby," says Jaycee.
With the huge new Ormiston development expected to be completed in 2017, there will be still more choice with another large supermarket, movie theatres and a Warehouse store.
According to Ajad, the street is a very friendly place.
"Everybody looks out for each other and it's a low crime neighbourhood."
The property is on the market because of a change of family circumstances which sees Ajad moving overseas.
"We haven't had enough time to enjoy this house but I'm very proud of it and I know that somebody else will fall in love with it."
