Castor Bay: Height of privacy

Some will love this significant Castor Bay property for its clifftop tennis court while others will want the view to the lighthouse, writes Richard Pamatatau.

207 Beach Road, Castor Bay.

Auckland's clifftop properties are being sought by discreet upscale buyers anxious for a trophy home away from the more public atmosphere of beachfront or inner city locations.

The large house and tennis court for sale at 207 Beach Road in Castor Bay on Auckland's North Shore is one such property and sits among many quality homes.

Unlike those showy beachfront houses that can be gawped at by people walking past, its doubled-gated drive keeps nosy parkers at bay.

Richard Milne, the agent handling the property, says it was built nearly 10 years ago and its site - at 1550sq m - is one of the biggest in this section of the market.

Jane and Gunn Kim, the owners, say it's been a beautiful house to live in with its "fabulous views" since they immigrated from Korea three years ago. However, they prefer something rural and bigger so are moving to Whitford.

"I just want to feed some ducks and cows every day and have big spaces around me," says Jane.

Her kids love the house, especially the tennis court which is built on a 10cm-thick concrete slab covered with AstroTurf. They use it whenever they are not studying hard at science or maths, or dipping in and out of the heated 2m-deep pool.

For party people there might be the temptation to erect a large marquee and hold a masked ball, charity auction or even a dance party.

Jane says the other thing about the property she loves is the garden, which steps down from the pool and includes a waterfall and pond with goldfish, children's garden shed with electric lights and a little garden nook where she and Gunn like to sit and cuddle.

She says the view from the nook through the old pohutukawa is fantastic. That view looks right down Kennedy Beach to Browns Island, then to Rangitoto and then out to Tiritiri Matangi.

Outside, the house has a neo-Palladian feel with a grace and understated classical order. It could almost be a summer house in Italy - and with solid plaster and brick construction, it won't leak.

Inside the house, things are very comfortable and the entrance foyer lets visitors know they have arrived. There's a sweeping curved staircase that Dynasty's Alexis Colby would have loved, though the present owners take great delight at the Harry Potter cupboard underneath it.

This house has a big, practical kitchen with a hidden refrigerator, twin ovens and wooden and marble furnishings plus a stainless steel benchtop.

There's a formal dining space that gives on to a terrace, again with views, a sunken lounge with access to the swimming pool, a breakfast room and a library.

The master bedroom has a giant walk-in wardrobe, big bathroom and terrace with room for a table for four. Jane says it's lovely in the morning when the light streams in.

The house is perfect for a big family that wants the amenities of a country style home with proximity to the city, and views without being in the public eye.

The office would even let them manage their interests from home, as do the present owners.

Mrs Kim says if it wasn't for the call of the country and a desire to have a rural estate the family would be staying.

She hopes the next owners will love her home as much as she does, and while she regrets leaving it behind, she intends taking the gardener, who laid this property's beds, to her new home.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 4

GARAGE: 3

SIZE: Land 1550sq m, house 371sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $4.8 million. Tender closes October 20 unless sold prior.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Richard Milne or Deb McCool, Prestige, ph 489 2699 bus, 021 770 611 (Richard), 021 660 459 (Deb).

FEATURES: Private, clifftop home with sweeping views, tennis court, swimming and spa pools, waterfall, fishpond and landscaped gardens. House has office, library and breakfast terrace. Double-gated entry.