Position of privilege in Whangaparaoa

34 Chelverton Tce, Red Beach, Whangaparaoa, Auckland. Photo / Geoff Dale

34 CHELVERTON TCE RED BEACH

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SIZE: Land 1115sq m, house 375sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $1.65 million. Auction June 18.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1.15-2pm.

ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/185181

SCHOOL ZONES: Red Beach School, Orewa College.

CONTACT: Victoria Cherrington, Bayleys Orewa, ph 027 277 5160 or (09) 426 5911.

FEATURES: Spacious, 10-year-old, three-level cedar and concrete block home, designed by architect Bruce Elton to maximise wide north-facing views over the Hauraki Gulf.

Kay and Garry Stockley spent many years orbiting Chelverton Tce in Red Beach. They discovered it in the 80s after they bought an old bach in what was then a holiday settlement.

The terrace was a cul-de-sac with access through a reserve to Red Beach, with grandstand views of the Hauraki Gulf, and it was lined with prestigious - and tightly held - homes.

Years later they got as far as buying a house around the corner, but the terrace continued to prove elusive. Until one day, just over a decade ago, they spotted an open home at the far end of the street. "We came down and saw this magic sheltered spot, in one of the best streets on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula," says Kay.

And so they finally snared their piece of Chelverton. The large and perfectly north-facing, sloped section had an older home on it and the couple had renovation plans drawn up. But it soon became clear that renovating would mean compromising on the design they wanted, so they decided to start again from scratch.

The dreamy sea views and northern aspect were the obvious starting points. They had initially talked about a two-level home, but Kay figured that with all that seascape to capitalise on and no one else's views to obstruct, why not add another floor? The result is a spacious and modern three-level home that stretches along its lush, landscaped site so that nearly every room is bathed in sun and gazes out to sea.

The middle floor is devoted to the living area, with a deck that curves along the entire north-facing side. At the eastern end is a spacious tiled family room, with large kitchen, lounge and dining area. This opens to the deck at the front via sliding doors, and to a large courtyard at the back via wall-to-wall bifolds. "I love this area ... The beauty of the house is being able to open it all up," says Kay. "It's fabulous for barbecues."

The bifolds to the courtyard mean that on the rare occasions a northerly makes things uncomfortable on the deck, she can sit out here in total shelter and still enjoy her sea view.

There's a separate lounge on the western side of the living area that also opens out to both the deck and courtyard, and has a gas fireplace.

The master suite and study on the top floor have jaw-dropping sea views through wall-to-wall bifold windows. Even the en suite on the southern wall has internal shutters so you can peek across the void over the stairs and check out what's happening at sea.

Downstairs is another large living area with two bedrooms and a bathroom, opening out to its own terrace. Kay and Garry had this floor designed to host family and friends, while keeping their options open in case they wanted to turn it into bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

But now, with a city change on the cards, the much-loved house is up for sale.