SCHOOL ZONES:
Te Huruhi School, Waiheke High School.
CONTACT:
Harry Howe & Matthew Smith, Ray White Waiheke, ph 021 0278 1618 (Harry) or 021 924 435 (Matthew).
TENDER:
Closes April 13 (unless sold prior).
When Delwyn and Bill Jones first bought this prime 4ha-plus land holding they used to excite their daughters by suggesting they might build a petting zoo and waterslide park here.
Fifteen years on, they've built something more versatile and luxurious -- an impressive 933sq m residence with the potential to be a luxury lodge, wedding venue or top-of-the-line family home. Its tranquil, elevated position takes in a panorama of native bush and sea views stretching out to the Hauraki Gulf.
Delwyn says: "We really wanted to build something that could offer many possibilities. The land is big enough to plant orchards, vines and olives and there's plenty of flat land for marquees. So the potential is huge to be a wedding or events space. But at the same time the living spaces within are cosy enough to be used as a family home or a luxury B&B."
Bill sold a company and retired a couple of years ago but has long been involved in property development. Creatively minded Delwyn paints and does freelance interior and floral design. Their whole family loves Waiheke.
Delwyn says, "It has a magical pull that never leaves you. I love that, despite its growth, it still maintains that old-timey island feel I remember as a child."
They waited till the right time to build this home to sell, confidently using Biggs Construction, which built their own Waiheke home five years ago.
The 2014 timber and tilt-slab concrete home has high ceilings, large windows and doors and polished concrete floors in the living areas. It has air conditioning and underfloor heating and is swathed in decks harbouring a heated swimming pool.
Delwyn says: "I love the terraces for al fresco dining. There is something very Italian countryside about the landscape so I envisage many long lazy lunches being had and many sunsets being enjoyed."
Glass doors open into a spacious entrance hall with a custom-made sculptural timber wall. Seamlessly integrated double doors open to reveal an entertainment lounge with bespoke hovering fireplace, a seating area, bar and grand piano.
"I can imagine sitting in this room with a blanket and the fire blazing during the winter. Even if it was stormy and wild outside you would feel completely safe and sound observing from inside."
This is one of three living areas on this level; a third lounge can be quietly shut off from an expansive open-plan area which includes a family room with views. Its gourmet kitchen incorporates chandelier lighting and a painted aluminium pressed panel splashback to create an ambience which melds with the lounge areas. The grand dining space fits a banquet-sized table or several tables for dinner guests should the home become a lodge.
"Although this home is expansive, somehow it doesn't feel that way when you are inside. Each room feels like its own private, cosy nook, each with a different aspect of the view to take in."
Image 1 of 4: With almost 1000sq m of luxurious living spaces, the possibilities are endless
This floor's large office-library could be a professional's work-from-home office or a guest library. A big master suite encompassing a lounging area opens to decks and has a walk-in-wardrobe and en suite. A bathroom and separate laundry complete this level.
The ground floor's dining-family room includes a bar area with ice-machine, wine fridge, dishwasher, microwave and built-in cabinetry. Guests or family can breakfast or have afternoon drinks here when they nip in from the sun-soaked pool area outside.
This level includes four en suited bedrooms, another laundry, a glamorous powder room and a large room which can be a movie screening room, conference room, gym or games room. The home includes three-car garaging.
