Tranquil, in its own world

7 Thornhill Place, Glendowie. Photo / Supplied

Anne Capon says her property of 27 years in an area dubbed 'Beverley Hills' feels like "a tranquil world of its own".

It got its upmarket nickname along with one of the city's first private swimming pools.

That was back when when this part of Glendowie was subdivided by Sir Robert Kerridge, of the movie theatre empire.

Anne's late 1950s home enjoys views of the sea and is set within 1191 sq m of grounds bordering the parkland of St Andrews retirement village.

She says of her property: "I love its grounds, its flow and how easy it is to live in. It's a very flexible home because it can feel quite zen-like with its outlook, peacefulness and visiting birdlife, but at the same time it makes an excellent party central.

"It feels like an oasis to come home to. Most people don't expect its lovely setting when they come here."

7 Thornhill Place, Glendowie. Photo / Supplied

The first Christmas holidays here for Anne and her late partner were spent removing a couple of tonnes of foliage from the overgrown grounds.

"At first you couldn't see the neighbouring paddock or the sea, so when we cleared it there was such a transformation to the view," she says.

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The home is painted cedar with a concrete block base. It has a double carport at the rear of the house and plenty of off-street parking.

Entry is into the upper level, via a covered balcony. The beautiful mataī floors were once hidden under 70s multicoloured carpet.

The kitchen was opened up to create an open-plan living/dining area.

"This space has a lovely architectural feel to it and all day-sun," says Anne. "There's nothing fussy or frilly about it."

Cilla Cooper Landscaping gave what Anne considers invaluable advice when they were opening up this area to flow outdoors.

7 Thornhill Place, Glendowie. Photo / Supplied

She recommended the rooflines of the two large glass-covered pergolas off the home be peaked to echo the angled ceiling of the main living space.

Anne says: "That ties it all in together beautifully and those big covered areas mean you've always got brilliant outdoor entertaining space, whatever the weather. They've so added to the lifestyle here."

This open-plan area is warmed by a closed wood fire and heat pump and opens to the pergolas with views to the north and west. There's an office off one corner.

There are four bedrooms on this level, three opening to the front balcony.

These are accompanied by a bathroom, two powder rooms, a laundry and lots of storage.
Downstairs has a teenage space or work-from-home office, plus a hobby room and bathroom.

Anne knows this fully fenced property suits children and animals.

Her step daughter did some of her growing up here and her dog Toby loves the open grounds.

Anne is looking at moving to the South Island.

7 THORNHILL PLACE, GLENDOWIE
• 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 parking spaces.
• Land 1191sq m, house 199sq m.
• Sale: By negotiation.
• Schools: Glendowie School, Glendowie College, St Ignatius Catholic School, Sacred Heart College.
• Contact: Nicola Whitley, Harcourts, 021 280 5984.