Manurewa - Fringe benefits

A new home near the botanic gardens and good schools has a lot going for it.

30 Index Place, The Gardens, Manurewa.

Despite the best efforts of mayors and planners, Aucklanders still love the idea of a new suburb away from the city lights.

When that suburb adjoins the best garden parkland in the south, the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens, it is little wonder it has appeal. Add to that a desirable pair of schools and you have a great mix for a new home.

The Gardens has been a well-loved suburb on the fringes of the botanic gardens for some years, familiar to thousands of visitors to the Ellerslie Flower Show.

A recent tranche of properties has been opened up opposite the gardens, with new, mostly architect-designed houses on the slopes overlooking the few surviving patches of farmland.

This split-level house, built by Master Builder award winner Mark Frame, makes the most of the site to gather both sun and views.

Mark is familiar with good buildings: he calculates he has built more than 40 houses over the past nine years with a team of skilled tradespeople.

His peers think so, too: in recent years he has won a Master Builders gold award with an earlier house he built in this subdivision, and this year a bronze for another one.

``I've worked with architects Sue and Miles Cross on a number of houses, they know how to add the appeal to a site,'' explains Mark.

``In this case, the views are to the south, but we also wanted to create sheltered outdoor living on the sunny side of the house.''

The result is a split-level building that climbs from street level entry up to the open plan living and kitchen at the top of the slope.

Well-placed windows and sliding glass gather sun from morning to evening in the sheltered courtyard garden (Mark has added a gas bayonet for the essential barbecue).

Mark selected Tasmanian oak for the floors: warm and inviting for family living. The entertainer's kitchen has been thoughtfully designed around a central island - there is even a view across rolling countryside to the far hills of Redoubt Road from the kitchen sink.

The spacious family and dining rooms are closed off from a more intimate formal living room, warmed by a gas fire, with views across to the Karaka inlet and the glitter of Auckland at night.

``The site was quite steep, so it was something to get a view from every room,'' says Mark. ``We could also separate the living spaces from the bedrooms for a family.''

On the middle level, four double bedrooms each have differing views. The master en suite and bathroom are cosied by underfloor heating, and a spacious laundry, often overlooked in modern homes, takes care of family sports gear and mess.

The ground floor entry and double garage, with room for the bikes and toys, complete the picture.

``This is a family neighbourhood, people are attracted by the very good schools first, then fall in love with the easy access to country living,'' reckons Mark, who has lived a number of years in the area.

As well as Alfriston schools, the Clevedon markets and pony clubs are just down the road, while the shopping and service centre of Botany Downs is a few kilometres east.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 2

SIZE: Land 529sq m, house 229sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Offers over $500,000. Auction September 16.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-2.45pm.

ON THE WEB: www.raywhite.com # HOW12175

CONTACT: Bev McCulloch or Andrew McCulloch, Ray White Howick, ph Bev 0275 799 218, Andrew 0275 393 161.

FEATURES: New split-level home by award winning master builder, with formal and informal living, excellent outdoor flow, and located in a new subdivision across the road from the botanic gardens.

Gas bayonets, gas fire in living room, central vacuum, under-floor heating in bathrooms, views across Alfriston valley.