Mt Albert: Rapid developments

Buying and improving properties means not having a place to call home for an ambitious couple, writes Graham Hepburn.

13 Alexis Avenue, Mt Albert.

Tracy and Ian McDonald live a nomadic life as they buy properties, renovate them and move on. But one day Ian wants to put down roots somewhere - and build a castle.

"All the time we're doing these properties we're still keeping an eye out for a lifestyle block where we're sort of wanting to build a castle-style home," says Ian.

"It might sound a bit strange but if you really look at it you can do it without having to spend too much on materials."

Ian says he became inspired by the castles he saw while on holiday in England, Tracy's home country. And when they were in California, he took her to see Hearst Castle, built by newspaper magnate Randolph Hearst, the subject of the movie Citizen Kane.

"I'd like to create something that would stand up and look really good," says Ian, who is a builder by trade.

About three-and-a-half years ago the couple bought their first do-up and when they sold it ploughed the money back into their next project, a property in Hillsborough which was approved for subdivision. They enlarged and renovated the old home and built another home on the new section.

They next bought 13 Alexis Ave, which used to be part of the old Mt Albert tennis club before it shifted to larger premises. The McDonalds have subdivided the section, with the new home sitting on what used to be a grass tennis court. The original home, at the rear of the section, is being extended and renovated in sympathy with its 1925 vintage.

They've also taken on a similar project in nearby Ferner Avenue, as well as buying a rundown ski lodge in Ohakune that they plan to refurbish.

"We're in this situation where we don't have our own home. We live in them for a while and just keep moving on as soon as we finish them," says Ian.

They've finished the new home at Alexis Avenue, which is framed by mature pohutukawa. The two-storey plaster house has open plan living downstairs which opens to a kwila deck. A kwila walkway connects the deck to the heated inground swimming pool.

There is also an office downstairs, while the bedrooms are upstairs. The master bedroom has a large en suite with double shower and his and hers basins. Most of the other bedrooms sit either side of, and have access to, a bathroom.

An upstairs deck at the front of the house overlooks the street but privacy is provided by the towering pohutukawa.

The home also boasts a sophisticated security system with a hard-drive and closed-circuit cameras.

"You can record hours and hours of footage and do things like blow-up the picture if you want to," says Ian.

There is internet networking throughout the house and the lounge has been cabled for speakers and a projector.

When they were designing the house, the McDonalds have taken extra care with details such as building the internal-access double garage oversize just in case it is required to accommodate the ubiquitous 4WD.

Ian says, "We're definitely not into cutting corners where there's anything major."

As a keen skier, Ian says he would like to spend a season down in Ohakune running their newly-acquired ski lodge - and hopefully on his travels find that elusive lifestyle block.

But with Tracy studying architectural technology, it looks as though the McDonalds may be redeveloping properties for some time before Ian gets to build his castle.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 770 sq m (approx), house 320sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $1.5 million-plus.

INSPECT: Sat/ Sun 1-2pm, Wed 1-1.45pm and 5.30-6.30pm.

CONTACT: Christine Borich or Pauline Anderson, Ray White, ph Christine 815 4562 bus, 021 528 228; Pauline 815 3051 bus, 021 770 799.

FEATURES: Large modern home with living areas that flow to outdoor living and heated swimming pool. Neutral colours, wooden flooring in living area, timber beams and state of the art security system.