Elevated setting embraces sea views

The minimalist white residence at 55 Calvert Rd in New Plymouth had immediate appeal for Steve and Wanda. The couple were looking for a city home with space and views and the property here on the corner of Devon St West and Calvert Rd promised both.

‘‘When we walked in, I said ‘I really like this place,’’ Wanda recalls.

‘‘And as soon as I came upstairs and saw the views, I said ‘We need to get this place!’.’’

The location at the top of Calvert Rd gave the home an elevated position and it capitalised on that with its two-storey design. From the upper living areas and master bedroom, Wanda looked out over the lower suburban features of Paritutu Bowling Club and St Joseph’s School to a sparkling sea horizon.

Steve was equally impressed with both the outlook and the architectural influence in the striking design and they negotiated the sale in short order. It’s only an out-oftown job that’s now drawing them away from this home.

Living here has delivered promise of the couple’s first visit.

‘‘It’s a lovely house to live in,’’ Wanda says. ‘‘There are houses all around, but you don’t notice them. It’s quite private.’’

The address here is convenient. It’s just a comfortable walk away from the cafe options at the Lee Breakwater and the appeal of the Coastal Walkway.

And if you want to walk into the city shops, it’s just a 15-20 minute walk along Devon St West.

There’s also the neighbouring Treehouse cafe choices just a couple of minutes the other way.

The location is family friendly, with the exercise space of Lynmouth Park across the road; a big back yard that the council looks after for you. And a selection of schools are also within walking and cycling distance.

There’s a presentation of on the timelessness to the this home that should appeal to prospective buyers today. The home looks as though it could have been built any time from its actual construction back in 1991 to this year.

It’s a crisp, clean presentation with a white-painted, textured exterior and a pitched charcoal-coloured roof.

The balcony across the upper level features a central projection in a dramatic triangular shape that has no doubt drawn many an admiring eye over the years.

The boundary wall that wraps around the sides and back of the house also has a textured finish that creates a seamless connection to the house. The wall does more than define the boundary; it is high enough to form a courtyard along the back of the house, providing a sheltered and private outdoor entertaining space.

There’s a hint of the Mediterranean in the white-washed look and that’s enhanced by the palm trees and grasses that have matured in the grounds to add a subtropical feel. The landscaping was carried out to a design concept by noted New Plymouth landscaper Mike Mansvelt.

The driveway into the property is off Calvert Rd and sweeps into the garaging beneath that wide balcony feature.

The formal entry into the home is through the gloss-red, full-height front door adjacent to the double garage door that Steve and Wanda painted the same bold hue.

Inside, there’s a spacious foyer, with three double bedrooms, family bathroom and laundry to the left and the internal access to the garage at right. Two of the lower bedrooms look out into the front lawn and its garden borders.

The stairs from the foyer lead up to the living areas and master bedroom.

The living areas have two aspects and an easy flow for comfortable living.

The kitchen along the back of the house is a spacious and well-specified area that looks out into the sheltered, paved courtyard inside the Devon St boundary.

The outside area is a generous space with plenty of room for a barbecue and gatherings of friends and family. Access is via French doors at one end of the kitchen and its easy to imagine stepping out here in the morning to enjoy a cup of coffee in the early sun.

The home’s white theme continues in the kitchen, with floor tiles, cabinets and walls all finished in white. One-and-a-half wall ovens are complemented induction hob on the bench.

Dining and lounge areas stretch across the north-facing front of the house, which means they are filled with light. They open on to that balcony, which offers alfresco relaxation and a serious appreciation of the views.

‘‘We can see ships going past from up here, and we can see the (Sugar Loaf) islands from the end,’’ says Wanda.

Sunsets and storms are other eyecatching aspects.

‘‘We can see the sea breaking over the Lee Breakwater and amazing lightning displays out there!’’

The master bedroom at the eastern end of the house enjoys its own access on to the balcony and those same captivating views. The ensuite is finely finished, with black tiles across the floor and white tiles up the walls.

A powder room off the living areas is a convenience appreciated by guests.

Robert Angus of Robert Angus Real Estate is marketing the property. He says its combination of location, elevation and design makes it a unique home in New Plymouth. by an