SCHOOL ZONES:
St Heliers School, Glendowie College.
CONTACT:
Caroline Yau, 021 618 211, or Steve Williams, 027 295 6153, Ray White.
TENDER:
Closes 4pm March 23 (unless sold prior).
Having first laid eyes on this home three days before it was auctioned, Anthony and Winnie Yan had to move fast to secure it.
They went to an open home on Saturday, came back the next day, then talked to family before buying the three-level home on the Tuesday.
The Yans were taken with the quality of the build, the luxurious living and the private, north-facing bush setting.
"We were totally attracted by the house," Anthony says. "We liked the workmanship and the fact it is so private and secure. It is just like living in the bush but you are close to the bays and all the conveniences."
He says the home has been designed to suit the contours and slope of the section, which has a creek at the bottom.
At the end of a right of way, the home conceals its grand proportions by presenting as a single storey home, with the two lower floors stepping down the slope.
"Looking at the front door you don't know what's here," says Anthony. "That's one of the reasons we liked the house."
The top level contains the main living areas and looks out into the treetops. It also introduces you to the grand wooden staircase that spirals through the three floors.
With a skylight overhead, the central stairwell floods the heart of the home with light.
There is a smaller staircase on the eastern side of the house, and external staircases to service all the levels.
Decks wrap around the northern face of the home on each level, with parts of them covered for outdoor entertaining.
"There are three levels of decks with glass balustrades and on each of the levels you get a different view of the bush because of the different angles," says Anthony.
The main living level has an open plan living and dining room with gas fire - one of three in the house - before you move through to the kitchen and adjoining family room - all with extensive glazing.
With Corian benchtops and high-spec appliances, the kitchen has a standout triangular breakfast bar and is set up for entertaining. A dumb waiter connects with the kitchenette/bar on the lowest level.
"It's just like a VIP guest suite in a hotel, says Anthony."
On this floor there is a media room/games room with a large kitchenette/bar, sink and wine fridge that has been ideal for the couple when they host friends who share their love of singing Chinese opera.
"We gather here and sometimes our friends bring a plate and we share food," says Anthony.
On the western side of this floor is a gym and tucked in one corner a sauna that would look right at home in Scandinavia.
Anthony says they have thoroughly enjoyed their six years in this luxurious home but with only three people using it the time has come to downsize.
