SCHOOL ZONES:
Meadowbank Primary, Remuera Intermediate.
CONTACT:
Michael Ataman, Barfoot & Thompson, 0274 892 986.
AUCTION:
7pm, October 26 on site.
Gaudy paint colours and outdated brickwork did not weaken Andrew and Grace Garden's resolve to buy this Meadowbank property after it came on the market 11 years ago.
Six months after the 1960s property did not sell at auction, the Gardens were so convinced of its potential they tracked downthe owner and made a successful offer.
After living in a house on a small section with a steep driveway in Mission Bay, they had been looking for somewhere that had room to expand and was in the school zones they wanted for their two children, who arew now teenagers.
Andrew and Grace's determination and imagination drove an extensive, two-stage renovation, which has transformed the Meadowbank Rd house into a spacious, modern family home that makes the most of its private site and enviable views.
Andrew, who is an architect with Leuschke Group, drew up the renovation plans with plenty of input from Grace, who runs a home staging business.
Andrew says the original concrete block-and-brick home was already light but cried out to be opened up more to the sun and to have a new upstairs level to maximise the property's "really big views".
These panoramic views take in the Orakei Basin, the inner Waitemata Harbour, Devonport and the central cityscape, including the Sky Tower and Auckland War Memorial Museum.
"The idea was to make the new upstairs level feel like a hotel suite.
"We've probably ended up with one of the best shower and loo views in Auckland," says Grace.
A bank of west-facing windows in the master bedroom and bathroom fold back to give expansive views, including spectacular sunsets.
The "suite" also includes a good-sized walk-in wardrobe.
Image 1 of 8: Architect's revamp added a level to make the most of home's outlook. Photos / Fiona Goodall, Getty Images
On the main level where you enter the house, what was a series of cramped rooms has been turned into a long, open-plan living space that connects to west-facing decks.
This room runs from north to south and includes a bar area, the kitchen, dining and living spaces.
A separate TV room at the northern end of the house opens to its own large deck, which is fringed by tall nikau palms.
Off the hallway that runs behind the long living space from the front door are two bedrooms and a generous family bathroom.
Like other areas of the house, this one includes excellent storage cupboards.
Stairs from the hallway lead down to the ground level.
This includes two more bedrooms, another living room and bathroom, a large separate laundry and a single entrance garage, which can fit at least two cars and still has storage space to spare.
"When we have people to visit, you don't even notice that they are here."
Andrew's sympathetic additions to what is now a 300-plus square metre home, include vertical cedar and horizontal shiplap exterior cladding. This looks modern and smart but also blends with the home's original character.
Being at the cul-de-sac end of Meadowbank Rd, the property feels quiet and the Gardens says their neighbours are great.
The house is a few metres away from a path joining the Orakei Basin Walkway, about two minutes' drive to the local supermarket and a quick walk to the Meadowbank Train Station.
Grace says it is brilliant being able to catch a train to get quickly into the central city and to Sylvia Park.
