Property developers Raewyn Sendles and Denis Hing fell in love with the site where they have just completed their sixth development when they saw its 360 degree views.
The Glendowie property has a commanding position on the sea-facing side of Riddell Rd and is surrounded by multi-million dollar properties.
When they bought the property two years ago, the 607sq m of north-facing land had a 1960s, three-bedroom weatherboard house on it that had been renovated without council consents.
"It looked like it was going to be a nightmare to get the consents retrospectively so we decided to remove the house and start from scratch," says Raewyn, who was born and bred in St Heliers and has lived in the St Heliers area with Denis for the last 31 years.
"We knew the area well and were blown away to find a property like this that would be such a good opportunity to develop well," says Denis.
After climbing on to the roof of the old house, they could see the potential to maximise the views if they built up.
The new home has great views from almost every room. They include Brown's Island, Waiheke Island and Musick Point from the northeast-facing upstairs deck and views across to the Sky Tower, One Tree Hill and Waitakere Ranges from the south- and west-facing bedrooms and deck.
The couple, who have worked on this project with their son, Isaac, commissioned Chow Hill Architects to come up with a minimalist concept design for a family friendly house with good indoor-outdoor flow.
They specified natural timbers and earthy tones to suit the property's coastal setting and wanted the home, which has ship-lapped cedar cladding and long run roofing, to include solar passive design.
Ashby Architects drew up detailed plans for the house, which was built by Maddren Homes, which also co-managed the ambitious, two-year project with Denis and Raewyn.
Image 1 of 7: Family friendly beauty packed with natural timbers and earthy tones to suit coastal setting. Photos / Ted Baghurst
Expense has not been spared on the home's state-of-the-art features and fittings. These include ducted airconditioning, Category 6 cabling, Italian porcelain tiles in the bathrooms and outdoor areas, American oak flooring, top quality carpeting and extensive glazing in what is a light-filled home with a sophisticated, yet friendly feel.
One striking feature of the design is vertical Tasmanian oak slatting that has been used for the balustrades of the main staircase and a wall that divides it from the dining room. The vertical slatting is echoed on elegant outdoor fencing which can be seen from the house.
The ground floor of the house includes an atrium with three large bedrooms, including one with an en suite. This level also includes the main bathroom and the family room that flows outside to a deep patio and outdoor fireplace complete with bar fridge.
Stairs from the atrium lead down to a carpeted double garage and workshop, wine cellar and large laundry.
At one end of the upstairs level is the west-facing master bedroom with a large walk-in wardrobe, en suite and a deck with glass balustrading.
"The sunsets from here are to-die-for because you are right on the ridge line," says Isaac.
The northeast end of this level includes the kitchen, with a scullery behind it, and a large open plan living room and dining room featuring a vaulted tongue and groove ceiling that extends over the covered, sea-facing deck.
This high-quality build is topped off with beautiful and predominantly native landscaping done by Organic Design Concepts.
For a family with young children, this home is ideally located directly across the road from Churchill Park School and is also zoned for Glendowie College.
