Bucklands Beach: Views Forever

When the owners built this home in the 1970s they had no intention of ever moving.

65 Waller Avenue, Bucklands Beach.

Jillian and Warren McKenzie built this house 35 years ago, and thought they would see out their lives here.
``We always thought, `If we moved, where on earth would we go that was better than this?','' laughs Jillian. ``But then we saw this other place and ... well, you do these mad things. There have been moments when I've thought `What have we done?'''

The section was bare land in a new subdivision when the couple bought it in 1970. But while houses have gone up all around them, they have not lost their sweeping northwest view.

Jillian says she will miss this 180-degree vista, which takes in Rangitoto, the Sky Tower, looks across the Tamaki River to the suburbs on the other side, the cone of Mt Wellington, and down to the Farm Cove marina.

``You can watch the yachts, windsurfers, and ferries going to and from town and Waiheke; and the sunsets are beautiful,'' says Jillian.
The house was designed to offer a variety of places to take in this outlook.

A formal lounge/dining room, the family room and the master bedroom stretch along its lower length, and all open out to decks and the garden. Log fires warm both the lounge and the family room. There is another sitting room/TV room upstairs with its own balcony.

In mezzanine fashion, this room also looks down into the kitchen. Jillian had the kitchen placed in such a way that she could enjoy the view through one side of the house, and keep an eye on her two sons if they were playing in the garden on the other side.

Their heated pool was acquired later when a neighbour wanted to subdivide his land.
``We thought we didn't want another house going in there, so we bought the land, took out the old pool that was there and put in a new, heated one.''

There is also a spa pool down the side of the house, accessed through the family bathroom. Sheltered under a gazebo, you can look at the view while soaking, but remain completely private.

Water occurs again in features in both the front and back yards. The three other bedrooms along the bedroom wing of the house open onto a hallway, which has glass sliding doors giving access to the back yard.

``That made it easy for the children to play between their rooms and the yard,'' says Jillian. ``I used to have an exercycle set up in the hallway, too, and I would look out at the big pepper tree and the plants while I pedalled.''

Oregon pine lines the sloping ceilings in the bedrooms, kitchen and lounge, giving them a homely feel.

Above the garage is a self-contained flat with a bedroom/sitting room, bathroom and kitchenette.
``One of our sons and his wife and their two children stayed here while their own house was being built. They could still use the main house, but had this separate space to themselves.''

Jillian and Warren have moved into their new house in nearby Mellons Bay, so are ready to say goodbye to this one.
``We didn't think we would ever move, but what do you do when you see another place you love?,'' asks Jillian. ``Stay still, or get your boots on and go for it?''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: 2

SIZE: Land 1428sq m, house 322 sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Similar properties in the area have sold for more than $1.5 million. Auction July 9.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-3pm.

ON THE WEB: www.open2view.com/126557

CONTACT: Angela Rudling, Ray White, ph 0508 264 352, 533 0872 a/h.

FEATURES: Expansive family home with 180-degree northwest views. Three living areas, study, self-contained flat above garage. Heated pool, spa pool, tropical-style gardens incorporating water features.