CONTACT:
Lesley McLellan and Juliet Lichtenstein, Ray White, 520 9100 or 027 453 5070 (Lesley) or 021 521 532 (Juliet)
Buying a beautifully renovated transitional villa was a dream come true for Heather and HC Tan. The couple are from Singapore, where houses are designed to cope with high temperatures and humidity, and they'd only seen homes like the Omahu Rd one in books or magazines.
"I always wanted to live somewhere like this," says Heather, looking around at the fireplace, leadlight windows and carpeted floors. "But you don't get houses like this in Singapore. We were very excited to be able to buy this one."
The Tans are family doctors in Singapore but spend a lot of time in Auckland where they own Rydges Harbourview Hotel. HC's father built the hotel in the 1990s and HC's investment company bought it from previous owners eight years ago.
When they were looking for a base in the city last year they were entranced as soon as they walked through the gate of the house. Attracted by the great location between Remuera village and Newmarket, the Tans were instantly attracted to the flat manicured garden and wrap-around veranda. They had barely stepped into the extra-wide central hall when they knew this was the house they wanted to call home.
"It is very different to the tropical houses we are used to but it had a lovely feeling," says HC.
"We really liked the history of the house. Our home in Singapore is more modern, but as we've got older we appreciate history a lot more."
The house still has many of its original features, but it was given an extensive makeover by previous owners in 2007, designed by architect Brent Hulena. "They did a wonderful job -- it is like a new home but still with the character," says HC.
Modern features such as a glass atrium ceiling in the hall and a gas fireplace in the lounge sit happily alongside period detailing such as the leadlight windows in the bedrooms, bathrooms and lounge.
Although it is typical of many Kiwi homes of the era (it was built in the 1920s) it also feels a little like it has a certain Cape Cod style. "It's a very elegant home," says Heather.
There are four roomy double bedrooms off the hall at the front, each with a spacious wardrobe. The Tans have used another bedroom as a study but it could be a fifth bedroom.
The master bedroom has a generous en suite, and the bathroom has a separate bath and large shower.
Image 1 of 6: This elegant, carefully restored villa is ideal for formal entertaining as well as being a lovely family home
Across the hall, the large formal living and dining room has a stunning vaulted ceiling and fireplace and can be closed off, thanks to cavity sliders.
The gourmet kitchen has granite bench tops, tongue-and-groove cabinetry and a commanding position looking out over the second living room.
Next to it is an informal dining area and behind it a butler's pantry. The extra cupboards, shelving and bench space are a cook's dream. There's also access to the formal lounge and dining via a short passage past the butler's pantry.
The informal living room, which was added during the makeover, has a striking sarked ceiling and a built-in desk, ideal for children to do their homework or art projects.
French doors open out to the garden, an area of flat lawn and a patio. There is also a heated swimming pool and a pool house with a bathroom.
Although they haven't lived there long, Heather and HC appreciate the little things about the house that aren't immediately obvious, such as the cupboard for drying clothes in the laundry.
They've enjoyed showing it off to visitors from overseas, but a change in family circumstances means they're expecting to spend more time in Singapore, so they won't need such a big home in Auckland.
