MARBLE TO BEHOLD
Premium Italian materials abound in this Mediterranean-inspired Parnell property, discovers SANDRA GOODWIN
“You’ve got every feature you’d ever want delivered over three sun-soaked levels and it’s a fantastic party house.”
Warren and Bridget Leslie think the light and airy nature created by the sheer size of their Parnell home is distinctive, laden as it is with premium Italian materials.
Warren says: “You’ve got every feature you’d ever want delivered over three sun-soaked levels and it’s a fantastic party house.”
The Italian family who built the 396sq m house in the early 2000s stocked it with upmarket Italian materials including swathes of travertine marble.
Warren and Bridget had lived in an inner-city penthouse, so the handy location of this 771sq m property in a no-exit Parnell street appealed when they decided around five years ago they wanted a free-standing home with gardens.
Warren says: “This is so close to town and the waterfront and so incredibly sunny and spacious with lots of walls for our art.
“We can easily walk to Parnell, Spark Arena, Britomart or the Viaduct and an Uber to town is cheaper than parking.”
Inspiration for the three-level home with lush green views stretching to Sky Tower and the city is obviously Mediterranean.
But its clean lines also reminded the couple of an art deco house they’d lived in in Dunedin, which Warren’s grandfather built.
Clipped entry planting elevated by two towering palms introduces the home, fully fenced to suit visiting grandchildren and their Lowchen dog Simba.
Warren says: “It looks spectacular at night with its outdoor lighting.”
There’s an impressively huge U-shaped, travertine-tiled entry foyer. Even the neighbouring internal-access double garage bolstered by off-street parking is tiled.
Prime entertaining awaits one level down in the housewide dining-living-kitchen with multiple rimu-floored living areas, flanked by both gas and wood-burning fireplaces.
It flows out to a big deck and is open-plan with a Creazioni kitchen with scullery and heated stone floor tiles. Its Carrara marble and linen-finish stainless benches and multiple ovens can cater big when Warren’s not barbecuing on the deck.
Capacious storage throughout the home is evidenced in the Carrara marble benched laundry. Completing this level are a guest powder room neighbouring a bathroom easily accessed by pool-goers one level down.
Warren says: “This property lies beautifully for the sun and you don’t need to heat the pool as it can be 30C naturally thanks to the cover we’ve added which raises its temperature.”
The spa at one end neighbours a gazebo-topped outdoor entertaining area with fireplace. The pool area steps down to lawn and gardens where Bridget has established vege gardens.
Warren appreciates the size of the entry level’s master suite with seating area, en suite and walk-in-wardrobe. “It’s a monster.” It opens to another big deck as does this level’s office and one of its two bedrooms, supported by a family bathroom.
The uppermost level enjoys a gallery-like walkway overlooking the entry foyer. Its bedroom, en suite and walk-inwardrobe combo offers an alternate master suite.
The couple have streamlined the garden and redecorated, updating curtains and carpets.
Since buying here the Leslies brought a manufacturing business which sees them often away at trade shows. Hence they’ve decided to switch to a smaller Auckland base.
Ray White agent Ross Tierney says: “Superbly appointed and immaculately presented, this Mediterraneaninspired home feels as good as it looks — it is a truly special property.”
Sale: Auction March 11
Contact: Ross Tierney, Megan Jaffe Real Estate, 021 855 721