Otahuhu: Riverside Secret

An owner says his peaceful home in a little-known part of Auckland is like having a bach in the city.

Princes St East, Otahuhu. When you mention waterfront property in Auckland, Otahuhu isn't a suburb that instantly springs to mind. But that is partly why the forward-thinking owner of this architect-designed house on the shores of the Tamaki River chose this site - anonymity and privacy. 

"You just wouldn't know it was here. Otahuhu peninsula [to the east of the motorway] must be Auckland's best-kept secret," he says. 

Working long hours in his dentistry practice in South Auckland left David Flett little time to think about where he laid his head. Tired of renting, however, he one day chanced upon two special sections tucked behind a row of existing houses in Princes St East (he has since sold one). 

In a spot which must be the most inland reach of the Hauraki Gulf, he decided to build the house of his dreams. Working alongside his architect and interior designers, they created a contemporary home that would be the perfect complement to David's lifestyle. 

"At that stage I was working long hours with lots of people around me all day. This was an antidote to my working day, a place to escape, be with friends if I wanted or just relax and watch the moon on the water." 

He catches up on paperwork in an office which is just metres from the river. 

The house boomerangs around a central deck, with all rooms on the main floor overlooking the river. Ducks cruise past and waddle up the lawn, kingfishers perch in tree branches overhanging the water, the occasional kayaker paddles by, and at low tide a family of grey herons fossicks for food. The far river bank is green; from the front of David's house, you can't see a single house. A large eucalyptus tree sits at the water's edge beside David's private boat ramp. 

Says David: "It's like having a bach in the city. Friends come to visit just to get away from it all." 

The property may be a two-minute drive from the motorway but there's no traffic noise. 

The house is sumptuously decorated, with plush deep red carpet in the raised living area, an over-sized padded midnight blue headboard in the bedroom, a black granite chimney breast, and black marble tiles in the bathrooms. While quite masculine in many ways, the soaring tilted ceiling and high windows make the house light and airy. 

Back down the main staircase, behind smoked glass sliding doors, the garage is large enough to house four vehicles. There's enough space to create another room and a kitchenette should future owners need to, and a wine cellar has been planned for beneath the stairs. Beside the garage outside, is a "boy toy" locker for the kayak and other water-play accessories. 

On the other side of the garage is the guest suite of bedroom and bathroom, purposefully divorced from the rest of the house for privacy. 

"The house is only 15 minutes from the city but when people come for dinner, something about the place gets into their head and they just end up staying." 

It's also the perfect place for David's young adult son when he comes from out of town for extended visits. 

Part of the overall privacy plan was a modest drive at the end of which is an electronic gate set into the silver corrugated fence. From the road you barely glimpse the house - just how David likes it. 

Now, however, he has sold the dentistry practice and is off to explore business opportunities out of Auckland. 

Vital Statistics: 

BEDROOMS: 2+ 

BATHROOMS: 2 

GARAGE: 4 

SIZE: Land approx 650sq m; house approx 320sq m. 

PRICE INDICATION: Interest in the late $700,000s. 

INSPECT: By appointment. 

CONTACT: Leila Morris, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 575 9079 or 021 893 413.

FEATURES: Two-year-old contemporary house with designer fittings, master bedroom with dressing room and en suite. All upper main rooms open on to the deck which is metres from the upper reaches of the Tamaki River. Full security system with camera surveillance, under-floor heating, private and quiet.