In the comfort zone in Herne Bay

61 Marine Pde, Herne Bay. Photo / Supplied

61 MARINE PDE HERNE BAY

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SIZE: Land 1189sq m, house 370sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Marketed with price of $4.575 million.

INSPECT: Sunday 1-1.45pm or by appointment.

ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/4101493

SCHOOL ZONES: Bayfield School, Ponsonby Intermediate, Auckland Girls' Grammar, Western Springs College.

CONTACT: Karen Spires, Bayleys, ph 375 8488 or 027 273 8220.

FEATURES: Two floors of up-front water and sunset views from contemporary home with swimming pool, level lawns, water access and jetty at the bottom of the garden. Three living areas includes one which could be fourth bedroom and main living where glass walls slide back to embrace wrap- around deck and outlook.

The Parkers were determined the contemporary home they'd build to maximise splendid water and sunset views would be family-friendly and anything but sterile.

John and Erin Parker bought the property in 2004 knowing they'd replace a modified fibrolite and timber bungalow with something befitting its prime Marine Pde spot. The 1189sq m property enjoys water access with its own jetty at the bottom of the garden, spectacular sunsets and immediate views over Cox's Bay, past Pt Chevalier to the Waitakeres.

John's got 25 years' experience in construction and property, part-owning Parker Brothers, which leases out commercial properties, but has also created top-end houses. So it's not surprising he and Erin had some pretty definite ideas about the sort of new home they wanted to share with their two children, Kaarina (18) and Daniel (15).

John says, "When building a big contemporary home you run the risk of ending up with something that feels like an office or an art gallery - cold and detached."

Erin adds, "We didn't want a big pretentious concrete palace!"

Instead they carefully chose materials and design to soften lines and suit family living. The predominantly weatherboard home has a Cape Cod influence and beautiful Californian oak flooring throughout. The Parkers commissioned architect Richard Naish, of RTA Studio, (last year's winner of the NZIA New Zealand Architecture medal for the Ironbank development on Auckland's K Rd).

Its grounds are tiered across three level planes, the lowest of which has the jetty and water access. Erin says, "The water aspect has been so enjoyable for our kids, who were 11 and eight when we moved here." They've grown up kayaking, playing down on the sand and going floundering.

The fully fenced street frontage has gates to an internal-access double garage, which incorporates John's office. An entry lawn precedes a sheltered front courtyard of travertine marble. Inside, a wide passageway delivers an immediate view through the home to the sea. "People are just gobsmacked by the view" comments Erin. Tides ensure it's an ever-changing outlook with boats, people, pets and the aerial circus of kite surfers.

John adds, "We've probably got 200 photos of the sunsets. They're just mind-blowing."

The entry atrium's staircase has a sense of openness; glass balustrading borders its thick oak treads. A side room with home theatre is also used for music and could equally be a fourth bedroom, given its expansive storage. There's huge storage throughout the home.

A luxurious guest bathroom and enviable separate laundry precede the open-plan dining-kitchen main living area, awash with views. The entertainers' kitchen with two Bosch ovens and walk-in pantry melds snow-coloured composite benches, white cabinetry and dark-stained oak. There's an office concealed behind doors off the dining area. The dining and kitchen step down to a living area where glass walls slide back to embrace the wrap-around deck and views. Near the Elba marble fire hearth a hidden door reveals a second media room also opening to the deck and outlook. The roomy deck accommodates a couple of al fresco living areas; one with a built-in barbecue-kitchen and the other with an outdoor fire. It steps down to a lawn alongside a gas-heated pool accented by three night-lit fountains. There's a second outdoor fire on the sizeable lower lawn. The multiple outdoor living areas mean there's always somewhere sheltered to enjoy. Two of the upstairs bedrooms, both with their own en suites, open to a side deck with views of the Chelsea Sugar Refinery. The master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and deck reveals the sea view, as does its opulent en suite with dark marble and curvaceous bath overlooking the water.

The Parkers have found the home brilliant for entertaining. But with Kaarina moving to Melbourne to study and Daniel not far off independence, the family's changing lifestyle means the property is for sale.