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"What attracted me most was the house sat down a driveway off Argyle Street, one of the premium streets in Auckland," he says.
"It was an opportunity to start from a low price point in a very good area."
John wanted to give the house a full makeover, so asked architect Pete Townsend to come up with a modern, open-plan feel.
"I wanted to add some character and design elements in what was a pretty standard sort of house to bring it up to a high level of finish," says John.
"We've done a complete makeover with quite a lot of structural change to open it up, converting it from four to three bedrooms to create a big master suite with walk-in dressing room.
"We've also changed the single garage to a full double. It was a massive refurbishment to bring it up to a quality finish."
Now the living area flows through to the dining room and kitchen, opening up to a partially covered deck where owners can enjoy dining outdoors.
Engineered oak floors feature throughout the living area, while all bedrooms are carpeted.
The lounge is filled with light that can be controlled by white shutters on all windows. In winter a log fire in the black marble fireplace keeps the area warm.
While the overall plan was John's vision, detailing the kitchen and bathroom was a task his wife Erin undertook.
She used Miele appliances in the kitchen, including a combination steam and pyrolytic oven and an induction hob beneath an extractor at one end of the stone island bench.
While a wine fridge is tucked under the bench, the main fridge/freezer is integrated in a flush wall of dark oak veneer cabinetry.
Blum soft-close componentry was used for drawers, and an Aventos bifold cupboard above the ovens functions with an electric drive at the press of a fingertip. Sliders along the main bench draw back to create a servery to the deck outside.
With a freestanding black hip bath on stunning mosaic carrara weave mosaic tiles (heated underfloor), the en suite bathroom is John's favourite room.
Robertson's matte black tapware matches the matte black heated towel rail. And in the main bathroom, a round vanity mirror on a white marble wall is softly backlit.
The dressing room is highly specc'ed and has open shoe racks, glass-fronted drawers and a glass top on the dressing table so you can see through into jewellery stored below. A round backlit mirror and lighting above ensures the perfect light for applying make-up.
All the bedrooms are spacious but the master bedroom is extra large and extends out to a balcony with a view of the sea.
The property is about 60m to Herne Bay Beach, is zoned for Bayfield primary, and designed with either a family or empty-nesters in mind.
Developer adds oomph to property on one of the city's most prestigious streets, writes Vicki Holder
Beds: 3
Baths: 2
Garage: 2 + 2 OSP
69A ARGYLE ST, HERNE BAY
SIZE (more or less): House: 175sq m, plus 40sq m decks.
SALE: By negotiation.
INSPECT: Sun 1-1.30pm or by appointment.
SCHOOLS: Bayfield Primary, Ponsonby Intermediate, Auckland Girls' Grammar School.
CONTACT: Jan George, Ray White, 0274 784 119 or Aaron Haabjoern, 021 469 226.
Photos / supplied
