KEY POINTS:
A site chosen decades ago as a military lookout made a striking spot on which to build a luxury home.
66 Seacliffe Ave, Takapuna.
The fact that what is now Seacliffe Avenue was the site of World War II gun emplacements protecting the Rangitoto Channel gives you an idea of the commanding outlook from this street.
And it's what attracted Alister Moore to the section when he bought it eight years ago.
As his partner Marlene Watson says, ``Seacliffe is unique in the sense that it's totally private and you really can't see any other houses, but you have these unobstructed 180-degree views from Whangaparaoa to St Heliers - and you're only 10 minutes to the city''
To make the most of the site, the couple employed Architectus to design their two-storey concrete and steel home, and Vanillaspace to do the interiors and lighting, for which the firm won an award.
Marlene says, ``One of the features of the design is that wherever you stand in the house you see a view or gain a different aspect.
``One of the key things we wanted to achieve was the use of light, air and space, as well as maximising the views from every room.''
The home's 2.8m stud, floor-to-ceiling windows and doors create an open environment that draws you through the house and toward the superb views of the Hauraki Gulf and out to Great Barrier.
While Alister and Marlene wanted a home with ``modern, clean lines'', a lot of thought went into detailing that would provide impact.
The exterior and interior block work has a 5mm offset and a bagged block finish to create texture. The interiors feature negative detailing and discreet strip lighting that produce a subtle effect.
The home has a suspended ceiling with lights running around underneath it so that at night the roof appears to float.
Sliding LouvreTec electric shutters have been used extensively to provide protection from the elements, as does the LouvreTec roof over the internal courtyard that the couple use for barbecuing.
Walking past the triple garage with self-contained apartment above it, takes you to the front door of the home, which, when opened, frames Rangitoto.
The hallway is flanked by an office and a family room that opens out to the swimming pool on the western side of the house. Past the 6m-high atrium, which has an open gas fire as well as a barbecue, is the open plan living room and kitchen. The spectacular sea views include Rangitoto looming large, squarely before you.
The tiled deck has glass panels around its perimeter for unobstructed views and overlooks a clifftop garden crammed with succulents and tropical plants. Stairs flank the deck and take you down to a private deck beneath, then from there down into the garden.
The kitchen features Corian-style benches with moulded basins, Miele appliances and American walnut cabinetry.
Upstairs are the bedrooms, with the master bedroom commanding the sea views from a split balcony.
``It's like being on the front of a cruise liner,'' says Marlene. ``The master bedroom is about 36m up so all you see when look out from lying in bed is the sea.''
The master bedroom has its own en suite, dressing room and an alcove with fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. Glass panels in the en suite allow you to soak in the bath and still enjoy the view, an idea that's carried over to the glass showerbox in the apartment.
Alister and Marlene were so wrapped up in the project and doing justice to the site that it wasn't until they finished that they realised the home was more than they needed.
As Marlene says, ``We finished the house then realised that the house was too big for the two of us and more suited to a family with two or more children. And with the self-contained apartment it's ideal for an extended family or live-in help.''
VITAL STATISTICS
BEDROOMS: 5
BATHROOMS: 4
GARAGES: 3
SIZE: Land 1745sq m, house 550sq m.
PRICE INDICATION: Registered valuation: $7.75 million. Sale by negotiation.
INSPECT: By appointment.
ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz # 451193
SCHOOL ZONES: Belmont School, Takapuna Grammar.
CONTACT: Beulah Thomson or Garth Thomson, Bayleys, ph 489 0999, Beulah 021 275 8068 Garth 021 931 506.
FEATURES: Clifftop home with self-contained apartment above garage. Fully air-conditioned, touch screen home automation system controlling smart lighting, built-in sound system, electric gates, and security system with intercom and cameras. In-ground heated swimming pool.
