Life by the beach is bliss for these well-travelled homeowners.
Waihi Beach is the best place on earth to these well-travelled homeowners
Andrew Greville is an airline pilot and although the world may be his oyster, home base is the pearl. “Regardless of where in the world I have returned from, when I open my front door I know I’m in the best place on earth,” he says of the Waihi Beach home he shares with wife Belinda. From that open door his gaze can travel down the wide passageway of his waterfront home, over the main living area and out to sea. Tuhua (Mayor Island) – after which the house is named – is anchored in the distance.
“When I walk in and look out to sea, I think how lucky we are to live in this most beautiful part of the world. It epitomises the best of New Zealand and we do not take it for granted. We are blessed and we do not use that word lightly,” Andrew says.
The Grevilles’ predominantly cedar house is a new build, and the answer to their quest to find a new home away from Auckland.
Papamoa, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga and Omokoroa were considered as Andrew and Belinda made their way northward up the east coast, rejecting one busy growth area after another. Next stop, Waihi Beach. They decided this seaside town should indeed become home and wasted little time. They moved down two years ago without having bought anywhere to live, shifted into a rental, and began hunting.
Their home in Auckland had been on a decent-sized chunk of land and their philosophy here was that they’d forgo site size for a sea view.
An existing humble bach, which had witnessed the ebb and flow of many tides over 50 years, made way for what was crafted into a home for Andrew, Belinda and their 21-year-olds Isaac and Amy. The twins are more than happy to
spend their Auckland university holidays at the new Waihi Beach pad. Amy has first dibs on relaxing in the sunken conversation pit that hugs the dunes – after all, it was her suggestion. It’s arguably the best seat in the house with its views out to sea. Belinda confides the glass fence is “the most expensive dog fence, ever”. A fence was needed to keep in their bichon frise/Maltese/shih-tzu-cross Mia and – given the view – glass was the only option.
The Grevilles only moved into their new home in November 2018, but there are plenty who will already attest that the conversation pit – an extension of the deck – was a great idea.
“It’s about 16sqm with an outdoor gas fire in the middle and at New Year’s we had about 30 people in there. Many were bach owners not here permanently, many of whom had not met each other before,” tells Andrew, who is thrilled his new home has a role to play in bringing the community together.
Belinda’s happy it also has pulling power when it comes to old friends. “My friends thought I was crazy making this move as I am a big city person. But I see more of my Auckland friends now, as they come to stay, and I’ve made great friends here through our church and community. My life here is very fulfilling,” says Belinda, who volunteers as a social worker.
“I was expecting that I may take some time to settle into my new home. But I felt settled the moment I stepped in,” she says.
The home was designed by Mt Maunganui’s JMAC Architecture under the auspices of Signature Homes. Going with a design and build company offering a whole package worked for the Grevilles who didn’t want the worry of organising subcontractors, especially in a location where good surf could be a great distractor.
‘MY FRIENDS THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY MAKING THIS MOVE AS I AM A BIG CITY PERSON’
‘Passers-by sometimes get invited in. That’s just how this community works’
Andrew and Belinda had some clear ideas. It was fine, for example, for the master bedroom to be roadside as traffic is minimal so noise was not a concern. This meant the whole waterfront end of the home could be dedicated to living.
Andrew’s main stipulation was to be able to enter his home and look straight down the hallway out to sea. Extra width here adds to the impact. Called the gallery, this space also proves perfect for showcasing some of Belinda’s collection of framed prints by Slim Aarons, the mid-century US photographer noted for capturing the lifestyles of socialites, jet-setters and celebrities.
Architectural designer Jason Macdonald’s aim was to provide the Grevilles with a house connected to its environment, that captures the spirit of traditional New Zealand holiday living.
This aim has been achieved in many ways, for example the vertically placed, stained cedar cladding that will resemble light-coloured driftwood as it ages.
Many clever and creative perfectionists collaborated to create their home, say the couple.
“We’re very proud of our home and so enjoy living here,” says Andrew. “Passers-by sometimes get invited in. That’s just how this community works.”