Dazzling bay window
It looks out at playground for dolphins and orcas, writes Catherine Masters
On the road between Mangawhai and Waipu, and only 90 minutes north of Auckland, is one of those “bestkept secret” type of beach communities, reckons Sam Hammond. Nestled between the two larger coastal spots is Langs Beach, where Sam and his family have been holidaying at for the past 15 years.
Sam’s family’s company, Hammond Group, builds ready-to-occupy bespoke homes and is selling this new four-bedroom house with commanding views of Bream Bay.
The house is perfect for people who want a new house without the hassle of building one, says Sam.
“We recognise that many people don’t know where to start with a vacant site, and we as a family have the knowledge and ability to present a complete home package,” he says.
Sam and his dad, Darryl, have been in the building industry for years. Sam’s sister Adelle is also involved — she designed this house.
The idea was to build a house that worked either as a holiday home or permanent residence.
Everything has been done, including landscaping, so whoever buys it can just move in.
Although the big thing is the view, Sam says the home is above standard in terms of premium materials.
Luxury touches throughout include sensor lighting in bathrooms and USB charging points in bedrooms.
“We like to take that next level of detail above a standard house and we pick good quality products,” says Sam.
“It’s an all-modern home — it’s got double glazing, inbuilt gas fire, underfloor heating in all the bathrooms, and we make sure all the wardrobes have built-in units . . . that sort of thing.”
The garage and carport are above-height to fit the boat, and the garage is carpeted so it can function as an extra lounge. There are two bedrooms downstairs, one of which opens to a deck and a flat lawn (flat lawn is rare in Langs Beach).
The ground level also features a staircase made out of Victorian ash. It is “a beautiful bespoke kind of staircase with timber screening which reaches up and forms the balustrade for the top floor,” says Sam.
Upstairs opens into an open-plan space incorporating kitchen, dining and living areas opening to the deck. The master bedroom with en suite is also upstairs, as well as guest bedroom and guest bathroom.
Laminate timber floors in the lounge are long lasting and stylish and the bathrooms are all fully tiled.
The exterior on the top level is vertical cedar weatherboard, which contrasts with the Linea oblique weatherboard on the lower level.
Sam says plenty of thought was given to things like storage for the toys and making sure the house suited different lifestyles, such as a couple living mainly upstairs, or for a whole family.
His favourite aspect is “definitely once you get up into that lounge and out on to the deck”.
There is always something to watch, he says. Langs Beach is one of those places where people drive tractors down to launch their boats.
Dolphins often come by and Sam has even been in the water when an orca pod came through.
*Plus carport.