St Marys Bay: Added Value

Address: 25 Vine Street, St Marys Bay.

When Sonia and Adam Clark took on the modernisation of their St Marys Bay home they knew they had big plans for it, but not quite how big.

Touching the one internal wall which is still in the same place, Sonia confesses to having momentary doubts as she watched a digger being craned over the top of the house.

``I wondered at that point what we were doing. I knew it was going to be wonderful in the end but there I was with one toddler and another on the way.''

And, as usual, everything took longer than planned.
``It took almost a year for the planning and consent stage, then we lived in the top while the basement was being attacked, but we had to move out for about four months.

Hunter was about 18 months at this point and I would find him asleep in bed with a hammer and a piece of wood. I'm sure he'll be a builder when he grows up.''

Sonia and Adam were lucky that Sonia's brother, Glen Hastie, is a builder and handled the job from start to finish.

``It was also nice in that we got to spend time together again as adults.''

The digger did its work by excavating the rear of the basement, which in turn allowed the staircase to be re-positioned and a bathroom, laundry, two bedrooms and a private living space to be created.

``We have done a lot of travelling in our time and have friends and family who come to stay from all over the place. Down here it is almost a self-contained space.''

In a house with small children, this separation of areas is handy.
``Hunter and his friends can be up on the main level, where his bedroom is, making all the noise in the world and you can't hear a thing down here.

But it's also perfect when we want to use the outdoor fireplace and living area - then the doors on both levels can be opened, the stairs from the kitchen lead straight down to the entertainment area and if we have friends staying, their living space becomes part of the area in use.''

Finally complete, the house is a surprisingly roomy 278sq m. Even though it is tucked at the end of a cul de sac on a tight inner city site, it has all the useful things like double garaging as well as guest parking.

The three levels all have decks or terraces for sunny outdoor living. Concealed gas heating keeps it cosy even in the depths of winter. Best of all, the TV is tucked away in the soundproof media room, leaving the main living areas free to relax in.

Sonia and Adam had such fun with this renovation project that they'd like to do it again.

``We've seen a few places in the area that we like, because we don't want to move far. It is just so sunny and friendly round here.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 2+

SIZE: Land 402sq m, house 278sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV (2005) $1.53 million. Auction July 27.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm, or by appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.uprealty.co.nz/131524

CONTACT: Daniel Burrill, Unlimited Potential, ph 361 6482 or 021 755 793.

FEATURES: Lovingly renovated family home in the heart of St Marys Bay. Layout allows for guest (or teenager) quarters. Outdoor living area, and views over the harbour from all three levels.