Mediterranean bliss in Taradale

This beautifully appointed home located minutes from Napier and Hastings offers you the opportunity to soak up a fantastic lifestyle, says Rakesh Krishnan.

Our featured property this week is a superbly planned and beautifully appointed family home located on the western fringes of Napier’s sought after Taradale area. Exuding a Mediterranean flavour, it is located minutes from the fantastic eateries, cafés and boutique shops of both Napier and Hastings while still offering a sense of distance from everything. In the words of owners Birgit and Klaus, the home allows them to make the great escape. The couple, who moved here from Germany in 2008, can’t get enough of the sun, space and solitude that come with ownership of this family playground. “We lived in a great town back in Germany but it was such a ‘rain hole’ that we were growing webbing between our toes,” says Klaus. “But this is just mind blowing – the palm trees, pool, ample amounts of sun and unmatched privacy.” The front of the house faces north, catching the early sun in the front yard. This allows for outside breakfasts even on winter days overlooking citrus trees, palm trees and the hills to the west. Being one of the few twostorey houses, it offers views that extend to Napier Hill. The south-facing backyard backs to EIT in the south and a fantastic outlook toward meadows and the hills, and at times you can catch the spectacular shadow play of the setting sun. The tall palm trees provide enough shade on those hot sunny summer days. “Entertaining ourselves and guests in this sun drenched, Mediterranean-style piece of heaven is probably one of the most enjoyable aspects of this property,” Klaus says. “Lazing in the spa pool with an occasional dive into the main pool, even in winter time, and enjoying a nice drop of our Hawkes Bay vintage couldn’t be any less relaxing than a holiday in the islands.” Downstairs you will discover a separate dining area and large lounge opening onto the kitchen that overlooks the backyard. There is a separate laundry and toilet, plus a storage room that could be a changing area – easily accessible for those swimming days. Upstairs you have the master bedroom with ensuite, a guest bedroom and a huge third bedroom that is perfect for any teenager plus the main bathroom. The icing on the cake is a single bedroom self-contained cottage, an outside office. A garage with internal access and a handyman’s dream of a workshop, plus a double carport complete the picture. Birgit and Klaus are currently pursing their dream of building a home by the sea. “With a half broken heart we have decided to go ahead and move to Bay View,” they say. “Selling this beauty gives us a bitter, sad feeling, but that is compensated with the excitement of our future plans.” LOCATION: Taradale, Napier ADDRESS: 27 Lowther Place AREA: Land 812 sq m; House 200 sq m PRICE INDICATION: $730,000 AGENT: Sarah Ericksen PHONE: 06 844 2621 EMAIL: sarah.ericksen@tremains.co.nz WEB: www.tremains.co.nz/N18315 PHOTOGRAPHER: Corena Pawson