Gulf Harbour: Harbour living

Life next to the water doesn't come much better than this, as CHARLOTTE COSSAR reports.

It's hard to imagine life any other way once you have seen the townhouse development at the Gulf Harbour Marine Village.

Passing through the security gate into the enclave of four townhouses at the corner of the marina complex, it isn't until you step into this home and take in the views that you realise that life can exist so close to the water.

The entrance of this split-level home allows you to go up to the living areas or down to the lower floor. The living areas, with their latte-toned interior, are warm and inviting. Softly lit by extensive down and spot lighting, this area consists of a dining area, kitchen, breakfast alcove and sunken lounge.

The dining area, with a spectacular pendulum light, and the cosy breakfast alcove open through bifolding doors to a front balcony. Tiled and complete with gas fittings for the barbecue, this area is the perfect place to enjoy early breakfasts or relaxed brunches. Capturing the morning sun, it looks to townhouses on the other side of the village.

The gourmet kitchen, which is separated by an island with glass-front cabinets and DishDrawers from the dining area, has granite benches, an integrated fridge/freezer, gas hob and an electric oven. The sleek area is functional and stylish.

The kitchen steps down to the main living area. This sunny room, with views across the marina, is an ideal place to relax by the gas fire when the temperatures start to drop and enjoy music from the surround-sound system. Bifold doors open to another terrace area, which has access to the marina. Also on the middle level is a double bedroom and guest bathroom. All the bathrooms are finished to the highest standard with Italian tiles and granite benches.

Upstairs there are two more bedrooms, both with en suites. The latte-toned colours are continued and form a unity throughout the house. The master bedroom, which has views of the America's Cup course and Sky Tower in the distance, is a large room with lots of storage. At one end is an alcove suitable for an office or hobby area. Behind this there is extensive storage along one wall. The en suite, with its large spa bath, has dual basins and is pristine.

Across the hall is the third bedroom, also a double. A long room with an en suite at the end, there is plenty of storage as well as a double wardrobe.

On the bottom level is the entertainment room, a laundry and the internal-access double garage. The large entertainment room is a great escape for teenagers or other members of the family who want to enjoy their own space away from the hub of the house. Tucked neatly at the bottom of the stairs you would hardly know it is there. The laundry is large with plenty of storage, and it can easily be closed off from the house when the washing starts to get a little out of control.

The large garage has two closed-off areas with bifold doors ideal for a workshop and to store the gardening paraphernalia - although you don't need many tools because all the gardens are low-maintenance with a subtropical flavour. The three outdoor living terraces, two with direct access to the water, are private and perfect places to spend long summer nights. They offer yet more living spaces with different atmospheres in this freehold home.

Time is not wasted on keeping this home clean and tidy. There is an abundance of storage for stuff that never seems to have a home and a central vacuum makes cleaning a breeze. Warmth is never a problem either, with all the tiled areas of the house having separately controlled, under-floor heating.

Escaping the luxury of your modern home, you will also enjoy the world-class golf course and country club just up the road and the buzz of this area that is gearing itself for the next round of yacht racing at the end of the year.

The perfect retreat with an international flavour, this home allows year-round canal living only a ferry ride or 40-minute drive from Auckland city.

Vital statistics:

ADDRESS: 121 Waterside Cr, Gulf Harbour.

FEATURES: Modern split-level townhouse with views of America's Cup course and marina; 15m berth; three bedrooms; three bathrooms; open-plan living areas, step-down lounge; entertainment room; separate under-floor heating in tiled areas; gas; extensive lighting, central-vacuum; alarm; security gate entrance to four-house enclave.

SIZE: Floor area 265 sq m.

PRICE: $875,000.

AGENT: Fiona Taylor, Bayleys, Orewa. Ph 09 426 5911 bus; 09 424 0663 ah; 021 279 590.