KEY POINTS:
C/514 MANUKAU RD,
EPSOM
We've probably all done it, - looked at a street address and made instant assumptions about what sort of living experience would go with it.
Manukau Rd in Epsom? Sure, it'd be handy and the kids would be in the zone for some of the best schools. But wouldn't it mean living right on the hubbub of a main thoroughfare? Surely you'd be able to read the number plates of the passing SUVs while you stirred your morning cuppa?
No, not this time. The impressive pillars bearing 514's shiny metal street number are right on Manukau Rd, near a select pocket of shops showcasing antiques and elegant bridal couture. But once you've strolled down the driveway you'll see why Andrew McDade and his brother Wayne knew this was a splendid spot for a family home.
Nestled well back from the road, the house sits serenely on flat land; its manageably-sized lawn and gardens offering privacy and a pretty outlook on to neighbours' established trees.
The McDade brothers and their crew were building modern townhouses on another site closer to the road when a near-by owner came to chat about connecting to their services. Andrew says: "Instead, I ended up buying his land as I could see its position made it private and quiet."
With a couple of decades of development experience under their tool-belts Andrew and Wayne strive to create homes tailored to the type of buyers they anticipate.
Recognising the nervousness about leaky homes, Andrew decided this two-storey contemporary family home would team weatherboard with an advanced Rockcote finish by Resene.
"I wanted something bullet-proof," he says. "This has a 15-year warranty and is like the Bentley of their cladding systems."
Open-home visitors can check out a Rockcote model visually explaining the system chosen for this home, featuring three-coat meshed plaster over cavities.
The big cedar front door sheltered under an extended eave matches the auto-opening door of the internal-access double garage.
Visitors are welcomed into a lobby area made grander by a double-height ceiling.
Downstairs is the living area with smart polished aggregate concrete floors. This level is made up of light and airy spaces thanks to a taller-than-standard stud height, functional open-plan layout and aluminium windows and ranch sliders.
The formal lounge has a recessed gas fire. Sliding doors from this room, the family room and the neighbouring dining area provide easy access to the deck and level lawn, which is edged with simple but effective native plants.
The sleek neutral kitchen's light-coloured composite granite benches house two sinks and extend into a breakfast bar. The 900mm-wide Bosch stainless oven has a fetching splashback of small brick-shaped white tiles.
Upstairs is the master bedroom with its own balcony, en suite and his 'n' hers wardrobes, plus three further wool-carpeted double bedrooms. European tiles in neutral to earthy tones feature in the master's en suite, downstairs toilet and main bathroom, with the latter featuring a separate bath smartly sheathed in tiles.
The upstairs hallway has an alcove off it that you could easily set up as a little office. As if to underline the home's tranquillity, the stairwell window frames a quaint view of the Epsom Community Church.
Wayne, who nips across the Tasman regularly as front rower for rugby league's Auckland Vulcans, grins as he explains that working with his brother never threatens peace on the project. "Fights? No, we did enough of that when we were kids."
SIZE: Land 400sq m plus a share of driveway. House 239sq m.
PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $900,000. Auction September 3.
INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm, or by appointment.
ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz #395479.
SCHOOL ZONES: Royal Oak School, Auckland Normal Intermediate, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls' Grammar.
CONTACT: Andrew Gordon or Sharon Greer, Barfoot & Thompson Ponsonby, ph Andrew 021 416 500, Sharon 021 420 955.
FEATURES: New architecturally designed family home quietly set well back from the road down a long driveway. Soaring entry, two living areas plus upstairs office alcove, granite kitchen, master suite with own balcony, internal-access double garage. Good flow to level, manageably sized garden and lawn in sought-after school zones.
