HAMPTONS STYLE
How one man quit retirement to start a business and build a house, writes ROBYN WELSH
BIRKENHEAD POINT
At a time when most 60-year-plus men are considering retirement, Malcolm Edgar doubled his workload. He built a home, something he swore he’d never do. Then, in the middle of the build, he started a textiles business because he hated being idle.
Malcolm, now aged in his late 70s, prefers to “just get on with it”, rather than over-think the “what ifs” in life. That’s exactly how he and his late wife Glenys approached this project, with a little good luck that led them to this property and put them in touch with architect Wayne Young.
Built in 2003/2004, this home took shape out of a three-hour meeting between Malcolm, Glenys and Wayne. “Wayne wanted to know how we lived, what we wanted, what styles we liked. He listened,” says Malcolm. Three weeks later Wayne returned with a concept plan for the home and the standalone three-car garage with an apartment above it. “I call it a discussion document,” says Wayne of those first drawings. “We tuned it all up together to deliver what they wanted.” In this case there wasn’t much fine-tuning required. Malcolm and Glenys’ only change was to extend the dining area into the veranda for a more outdoor feel.
Except for a recent interior repaint, this house is exactly as designed 16 years ago. The entrance that has accommodated a five-piece jazz band for a party is close to the informal living areas, the formal lounge and the central kitchen/ dining area. This kitchen and the interior de´cor decisions were Glenys’ domain during the build. “The kitchen was her workshop; the garage was my workshop,” says Malcolm.
The home has fooled some of the contractors. “They would make favourable comments about the restoration job we had done, not knowing anyone would be crazy enough to build a new ‘old’ house,” says Malcolm.
Adds Harcourts agent Travers Smyth: “This huge character home has been cleverly designed to accommodate a luxury family lifestyle while retaining all the character and charm that Birkenhead Point is known for.” Auction: December 1 Contact: Travers Smyth, Harcourts, 027 872 8377