Takapuna - Sands of time

A family bids a fond farewell to a home in which children grew up, and parents grew old.

29 Sanders Avenue, Takapuna.

Right on the waterfront and framed by the gnarled branches of Takapuna beach's iconic pohutukawa trees, this 1970s home was a great place for Jane Brennan and her four siblings to grow up in.

It was also a wonderful setting for her late father, Mick Shanahan, to grow old in.

"Dad used to love sitting down on the lawn by the edge of the sand with his book and wave at people he knew as they walked by. He also used to walk the beach every day," Jane says.

Mick Shanahan, a former chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, spent his working life as a lawyer in New Lynn and was also involved with Karekare surf lifesaving.

"But he wasn't one of those diehard people who swim every day," Jane remembers. "Those people go in the water when I am too cold to even take my sweater off!"

After spending nearly 20 years in Hong Kong and the United States, Jane is acting as caretaker of her family home, along with her husband and young sons Michael, Max and Matthew. She says the boys absolutely love beach life and tearing around like typical Kiwi kids.

"One day Max was climbing one of the pohutukawa that I used to climb as a child. He ended up dangling by his arms from it saying `help' and had to be rescued by a passerby."

Jane's older brother, architect Allan Shanahan, was a mad-keen boatie when he was growing up and used to park his yacht down on the lawn near the sand. Younger brother Patrick was into windsurfing and took equal advantage of the home's close proximity to the water.

While the house is full of memories for Jane, she says anyone interested in buying the property will no doubt demolish the tired house and build again on the 1343sq m site.

"This property isn't really about the house, but someone did tell me it was very solidly built."

Although it is elevated above the beach, the site has a level footprint and flat backyard on which to build a sizeable home. The position of the property allows a panoramic view out to sea and along the beach, but is also relatively private from beachgoers.

As it is, the house is very functional as a place to live while a new owner ponders how to make their own mark on the site. There's an easy flow through kitchen, dining and secondary living areas through to the main living space with a prime view of the water.

The master bedroom also boasts an en suite, which is resplendent with a purple vanity basin and matching tiles. The main bathroom has separate zones for the shower, toilet and bath, great for a busy family.

Downstairs is a traditional 1970s rumpus room, bathroom and kitchenette, making this space self-contained. Outside is a ceramic mosaic tile-lined spa pool, although it hasn't been used for years because it's not compliant.

Jane recalls lots of fun growing up here, where loads of friends used to congregate to enjoy the beachfront spot.

The garden is landscaped in keeping with the house. "We had someone come over to tidy up the garden as it had been quite overgrown. She says it was absolutely typical of 1970s style," Jane says.

From the garden, it's only a few steps down to the sand, and the bustle of Takapuna village is just up the road.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4+

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: 4+

SIZE: Land 1343 sq m, house 290sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV (2005) $5.4 million. Sale by negotiation.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz #450483

CONTACT: Nicola Whitley or Greg Hill, Bayleys, ph 021 280 5984 (Nicola), 0274 740 012 (Greg).

FEATURES: 1970s home on prime beachfront section with wide views, but also sheltered behind pohutukawa trees. Three living areas, separate dining.