Remuera: Heart's desire

When a nearby home that they loved went up for sale, a Remuera couple snapped into action.

187 Orakei Road, Remuera.

As Michele and Lance Bain watched the impressive property at 187 Orakei Road being built from their nearby home in 2002, they knew they had to have it.

But they had to wait a couple of years for its first owner to sell up before the Richard Priest-designed house could be theirs. When the house finally went on the market in 2004, the couple got in quick with their offer and bought it.

Having spent just 16 months in the property, however, they've decided the section is too big for them and their two daughters, Caitlin, 11, and 13-year-old Shelby, and they're moving to a smaller place in Orakei.

"The thing is we're hardly ever here at weekends as we go away a lot to the Coromandel, so ideally we want somewhere that we can lock up and leave," says Michele.

"When we watched this house being built we loved it, and we still do, but it's not the right place for us. It's going to be so hard for us to leave - it's a lovely family home."

The Bains haven't done a thing to the property in the short time they've been there. It sits high on the hill backing onto Orakei Basin. A door in the garden fence opens to a walkway, that wends its way down to the water.

The larger-than-average front door opens to a cavernous double-height hallway. To the left, there's oodles of storage, a wine cellar and the internal access to the garage, and gym.

Up the Tasmanian oak steps and you can choose your living area - the formal lounge and dining to the right, complete with projection TV and a fireplace, or the kitchen area, dining and casual lounge to the left, which also has a fireplace. An office backs onto the formal lounge.

The family room opens to the gas-heated swimming pool, spa and outdoor area, which has fabulous views of Hobson Bay, the city and harbour.

Between the two living areas is a courtyard with a gas fireplace and an automated sunshade.

Upstairs, the master suite is at the front of the house to make the most of the views. It also has air conditioning, as does Shelby's and Caitlin's along the hallway.

Designed as a guest room, the fourth bedroom has a kitchenette tucked away behind a door.

The casual living area opens to a stone chip area - which Michele thinks would make an ideal petanque court or an additional outdoor space - and the rear, terraced garden. There's room here for the girls' trampoline and for the family pets to roam.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2+

GARAGE: 3+

SIZE: Land area 1097sq m, house 430sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $2 million. Tender closes December 7.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-2.45pm.

CONTACT: Ian or Kate McHerron, Unlimited Potential Remuera, ph Ian 529 7513 bus, 021 680 471; Kate 529 5118 bus, 021 680 480.

FEATURES: Luxurious, elevated, Richard Priest-designed family home with a gym, internal courtyard with fireplace, air conditioning in three of the four bedrooms and a projection TV.