Bliss on millionaires’ row
Entertainers’ paradise with river views in a quiet desirable street is for sale, writes Donna McIntyre
Pat and Jan Pearl chose this home for its Spanish effect 12 years ago. “It is not a boring just square cube, it has character, and it has shape. Different levels,” says pat. And, of course, the far-reaching views they enjoy from this sun-drenched and elevated setting, over the Wairoa River across to the semirural surroundings and the Kaimai ranges.
And while theirs is a large house, Pat says its layout and decor ensure it feels welcoming. “It has a casual feeling; everyone who comes here says they can relax.”
The 450sq m (more or less) home was built in 2000 on the 2.3680ha property, finished in roughcast plaster with American shingle roofing.
“It is solid; you can’t kick a hole in the wall that’s for certain,” he says.
The home was designed by Tauranga architectural firm Ambienti and Pat understands it came second in a builder of the year award in the year it was built.
“And we liked the a And Miles Lane is one of the best roads in Tauriko, in Tauranga basically. It is called millionaires’ row.”
The home‘s upper level has the entry from the driveway to the garage, bathroom, three bedrooms and toilet. This is accessed either by the wrought iron staircase or lift, beside the handsome wooden double front doors.
Downstairs in the main part of the home are the master bedroom with marble and tile en suite, the laundry, downstairs toilet, the separate lounge, office and home theatre. The entertainers’ kitchen on this level with American cherry cabinetry, F&P appliances and black granite benchtops shares the open plan living area and dining room opening to the pool area.
Improvements the couple have made include rebuilding all the bathrooms, using local professionals at Island Stone.
“All the bathrooms and toilets have been done in
marble with quartz flooring,” says Pat.
And then on the other side of the pool and patio with spa pool, is the self-contained extension with its huge bedroom, en suite and lounge.
“We use this as an entertainment centre,” says Pat. “It comes straight onto the pool and we have a bar in there. It’s where we entertain guests.”
The heated pool holds 100,000 litres of water and Pat estimates its size at 8m x 5m and 1.8m deep. “You can dive in without hurting yourself.”
They also replanted the tiled courtyard in a Spanish style. “Some plants were here but we went out and looked for things that looked more Mexican, such as cactus to give it more character.”
A 23kW Metro log burner was added to the open plan living space, and there are heat pumps in the main lounge and in the theatre, and the extension. Underfloor heating is in the kitchen and laundry.
The upstairs bedrooms have balconies overlooking the river views. And a stunning point of interest in the master bedroom is a wall feature of individual slate tiles.
All the bedrooms have beautiful wooden window shutters.
When they’re not relaxing at their beautiful home, Pat says they have enjoyed venturing out on the area’s many magnificent walks “You can go up into the hills. You have Mount Maunganui, the beach, Pilot Bay. There are some huge shopping centres in Tauranga now, the Crossing at the Lakes [residential subdivision], that is massive and has just opened.
But the couple are selling to downsize.
“It’s a bit big for us now, as you get older you want to downsize.
“But it is exceptionally quiet here, you don’t hear the neighbours. That’s’ what we love, the peace and tranquillity. The whole street is very quiet.”
And while Pat and Jan don’t have children, he adds that the area’s schooling is excellent with Bethlehem College nearby.