Coatesville: Successful transplant

A renovated Remuera house looks right at home after being moved to a countryside setting, writes Cate Foster.

177 Ridge Road, Coatesville.

When Wayne Kiely and Karen McQuinlan bought this block of land it was nothing more than a sloping paddock. However, they could visualise how its wonderful northern views, gully full of native bush and proximity to good schools in the fast appreciating area around Coatesville made it the perfect site for a family home.

Veterans of several major renovations, they decided to source a home to be moved on to the site. They found what they wanted on the internet, a house in Victoria Avenue, Remuera. With the help of a removal company, professional earthmovers and Wayne's handyman skills, it has been transformed to such an extent that it's hard to believe that only four years ago "we were standing knee-deep in mud."

They were lucky with the house they found. Not only was it large and gracious, but it was recently renovated so the joinery and linings were in good condition. It had to be cut in two and stitched back together, but what little damage resulted was soon repaired.

"We were living in it two weeks after it arrived. All the services were waiting on site and just had to be hooked up."

Now, just as it did in Remuera, the home boasts two huge living areas, one formal and one informal with the second being linked to the kitchen and dining areas. Both flow to huge decks built out above the views and surrounding gardens. These are fully established and featured in the Coatesville Garden Walks last year. Three bedrooms and an office, one family bathroom and one en suite make this a spacious, comfortable home, laid out on the roomy footprint offered by homes of this age and style.

What makes the property a bit special is the addition of a new garage block. Not only is this a garage with space for all the tools a home handyman could desire, it also contains a modern apartment above it. This was built for Karen's mother, who came to live with them shortly after they moved in.

"It made sense, and it's worked very well - the flat has fantastic views and is totally modern and easy care. For future owners, it could be anything from an income source to the perfect teenage haven."

Looking around the sunlit rooms and listening to the spring birdsong it seems hard to imagine why anyone would want to leave, but Karen and Wayne are a couple who like a challenge.

"We've never built before and so our next project is to build from new. We've bought three acres going down to the water quite near here, and we're itching to start."

They know and love the neighbourhood so that will remain the same. What rises on the next piece of bare land will be modern, but if this home is anything to go by it will also be a true family home.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGE: 2+

SIZE: Land 1.1ha, house 219sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Bidding anticipated from $800,000. Auction October 5.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-2pm, Mon 7.30-8.30pm.

CONTACT: Jo Lanigan, Bayleys Albany, ph 414 0957 bus, 027 279 5468 mob, Debby Stanaway, Bayleys Takapuna, ph 489 0814 bus, 021 895 605 mob.

FEATURES: Traditional style home surrounded by landscaped grounds and native bush. Self-contained modern one-bedroom apartment above garage.