Remuera: Casablanca revisited

A Moroccan-inspired home on a ridge is an oasis by the city, complete with tui in a kauri.

28 Westbourne Road, Remuera.

Marty O'Halloran accepted his promotion to Australia with one regret. It would mean having to sell his much loved house in Remuera.

"We're devastated at having to let it go," says the chief executive of the New Zealand branch of advertising agency DDB Needham, and the soon to be CEO of the company's Australian and New Zealand operations.

"We've only been here a year and it's been great, especially in summer."

Marty and his wife Deborah were drawn to the Moroccan-inspired concrete house because of its difference.

"I like houses that you walk into and go 'Wow', and that's what this place is like. It makes a bit of a statement."

Designed by architect firm Shanahan about five years ago, the three level house sits perched on a ridge, looking north across a green valley to Rangitoto rising above the hill in the distance. At the end of a right of way, down the bottom of a cul de sac, it is completely private, and even has an empty section next door. Established trees surround it on three sides, including palms, pines and an adolescent kauri.

"Tui come into the kauri in the mornings, and it's really quite restful," says Marty. "There's no traffic noise, so apart from the birds it's very quiet."

A heavy steel door, studded with hobnails, sets the Moroccan scene as you enter the whitewashed concrete interior, punctuated by dark, wrought iron detailing. A feature of the formal lounge in front of you is the open fireplace, its plaster surround bearing a carved Moroccan pattern in relief. This is replicated in pillars framing the partially separate dining area next door.

An industrial-style kitchen has thick marble benchtops, a six burner Zanussi oven and units that can be wheeled outside if cooking is taking place on the barbecue.

The kitchen looks through a casual living area to the main terrace and gas heated pool.

"The fact that you can see the pool from the kitchen has been important to us," says Marty, whose children are aged 8, 9, and 11. "The kids have loved the pool and spent a lot of time in it."

The children's three bedrooms are downstairs, along with a full size bathroom with one of the deepest stone baths you'll see. There is also another Moroccan-inspired treat down here - a sauna.

"I've used that lot - it's been fantastic," says Marty. "It doesn't take up much space, but it makes a difference."

Upstairs is the master bedroom, which opens onto its own terrace overlooking the view, with the kauri rising up beside it. But it's the en suite which draws gasps with its huge, sunken stone bath. The whole room is as big as the TV/study area at the top of the stairs next to the bedroom. On the outside wall of this bathroom is an outdoor shower, used mostly by Marty.

"You can climb up a fire escape ladder after having a swim in the pool and shower up here in complete privacy," he says.

The family might be making its home in Sydney or the foreseeable future, but although Marty is selling this house he won't be saying goodbye to New Zealand.

"I'll be back and forth a lot in my new job, so I won't lose touch."

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2+

GARAGE: 2

SIZE: Land 782sq m, house 325sq m, terraces 76sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Tenders expected in the region of $2.5 million. Tenders close February 22.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm.

CONTACT: Linda Galbraith, Harcourts, ph 021 966 028, 369 5098 bus.

FEATURES: Stylish concrete home with Moroccan touches on private, north facing site with a view. Three living areas, one could be used as a study. Open fire, internal sauna. Gas heated pool, outdoor shower.