Marine scene and heard in Whangaparaoa

228 Vipond Rd, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa. Photo / Geoff Dale

228 VIPOND RD, STANMORE BAY, WHANGAPARAOA

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SIZE: Land 880sq m, house 200sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Expressions of interest above $2 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: premium.co.nz/WPG40246

SCHOOL ZONES: Stanmore Bay School, Whangaparoa College (Years 7-13).

CONTACT: Cheryl Milton, ph 021 951 472, Jeremy Milton, ph 021 680 995, Premium.

FEATURES: Sound, but dated, family home on a large site with superlative ocean views and direct beach access via a reserve. A similar home on the same sized section is available next door at number 226.

When Dave Wetherell and his wife, Trish Jew, moved to Stanmore Bay from Remuera 25 years ago, they never imagined that they would end up owning four waterside sites almost adjacent to each other.

But as they settled into the neighbourhood and realised just how special it was they couldn't resist buying neighbouring properties when they became available, and are now building their dream home across two of these sites.

"We realised that Stanmore Beach represented a little-known slice of beachfront paradise and we don't ever intend to live anywhere else," Dave says with certainty. "Where else can you walk down through a lovely garden to a beach that's every bit as good as a Coromandel beach, yet still be only a 30-minute commute from Auckland?"

Without a doubt this is very special location. From the deck in front of the solid brick and tile house that is number 228, an uninterrupted panorama stretches to the hazy blue hills of the Coromandel Peninsula. Sea breezes bring a whiff of the ocean, and orca and dolphins sometimes visit the bay.

There's a lush garden and a pathway of solid steps curving down through the greenery.

Dave says the beach has always been an extension of their living space for as long as he can remember. "We've raised four boys here, and this bit of the beach, which is the best bit for swimming, is easily accessible from the gardens of all the properties we own."

The house probably originated as a bach, which was then built over and extended in the 1970s. Today it is a roomy four-bedroom family home on three levels, with decks on two of them. The top level comprises a master bedroom, en suite and walk-in wardrobe.

The entrance level consists of living, kitchen and dining area with two small bedrooms, a family-sized bathroom, with a two-car garage behind.

The basement has a bedroom, living-room and bathroom.

It would be fair to say that this is a faded rose of a house just waiting for someone with the vision and finance to sweep in and transform it.

Having removed two houses from adjoining sites, Dave and Trish are building another home. "We'd love for someone to do the same here," says Dave. "This is a good solid house but given number 226 is also available, perhaps someone will come along and do what we're doing - that is, build another substantial quality home across the two sites on one of Auckland's best beaches."

With two boys already at university in Melbourne and two more likely to follow, Dave and Trish are looking to buy a house there.

That's the only reason they are prepared to give up part of their carefully acquired land bank.

"It will be a good for us to have a place to stay when we visit and we'll enjoy discovering Melbourne.

"The boys love it."