POOL POSITION
A tucked-away St Heliers property has the relaxed feeling of a tropical holiday home thanks to its lush green outlook, writes SANDRA GOODWIN
ST HELIERS
2/59 Tarawera Terrace
4 3 2
Lured from Australia to Auckland for a big job role, Lyndal and Alex York were smitten with this architecturally designed home’s layout and superbly restful green outlook.
The eastern bays were high on their list when they were house-shopping in early 2019 after Lyndal had scored the role of CFO of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
Banking executive Alex says: “This property is great and exactly the sort of place we were looking for, being cleverly architecturally designed, modern, secluded and quiet.”
The couple knew the location would suit Lyndal working in East Tamaki and Alex in the CBD, plus be pleasant for their 11-year-old daughter Jessica and Samoyed dog Miska.
But it was the layout of the home and the special ambience of the property that really caught their eye. They bought this restful 1994-built home off TV sports personality Ric Salizzo and understand he and his late wife Cathy Campbell purchased it from its original owners.
Tucked away on a rear site, the steel-roofed cedar home is split level, gazing out big picture windows to its surrounding native bush environment accompanied by a symphony of bird song.
Alex says: “You come home in the evening and it’s like you’re walking into a holiday home because it’s so relaxing.
“It reminds me of holidays we’ve had in Thailand because of the outlook of lush tropical bush which is so beautiful.”
The property is handy to Madills Farm Recreational Reserve and only a couple of minutes’ drive to Kohimarama or St Heliers beaches. Two offstreet parking spots bolster its internal-access double garage.
Alex says: “People often comment on the design of this house, including the high ceilings.”
These absolutely tower in the entranceway, creating extra logistics for the painters they had re-paint the interior.
The couple’s favourite space is the open-plan gourmet kitchen-dining-lounge topped by a lofty angled ceiling. This flows out to sunny north-facing terraces overlooking a heated swimming pool, a hot tub and the greenery.
Alex says: “Even at this time of year the sun pours in here. It’s great summer entertaining with the doors open and the barbecue going on the deck.”
This ground floor also has a large combined bedroom-study, another bedroom, a laundry, powder room and the sophisticated family bathroom. The Yorks have either replaced or upgraded all bathrooms in the home.
More decks on the other side of the house admire a waterfalllike water feature.
The top-floor master suite includes a walk-in-wardrobe, en suite and additional storage space. The lower floor set-up, with its studio-style loungebedroom and bathroom, can be a guest suite or a media room.
Since the Yorks bought here Lyndal’s mother and stepfather have joined their household so they’re going to move somewhere which better suits their change in circumstances.
Bayleys agent Lorraine Young says: “This home has striking interior features and can also cater for growing families.
“You’re surrounded by native trees and yet there’s a tropical feeling, especially around the pool area where you feel suspended above the trees.” Sale: Auction June 18
Contact: Lorraine Young, Bayleys, 021 764 032.
“You come home in the evening and it’s like you’re walking into a holiday home because it’s so relaxing. It reminds me of holidays we’ve had in Thailand because of the outlook of lush tropical bush which is so beautiful.”