BIG AND BEAUTIFUL
This three-level St Heliers home is ideal for a large family, and all their friends, writes DONNA FLEMING
When Nigel Stickland sells his home in St Heliers and closes the door behind him for the last time it will be with a heavy heart, but an abundance of wonderful memories.
“I love this house, and I am going to find it very hard to leave,” says Nigel. “I’ll be taking away a lot of happy memories.”
They include counting the sleeping bodies of his kids’ friends spread around the downstairs living area on a Sunday morning and calculating how many bacon sandwiches he’d need to make for brunch; sitting with wife Philippa on the deck enjoying the breathtaking views out over St Heliers Beach to the city, especially at sunset; and tinkering in the workshop of his five-car garage.
Nigel and Philippa instantly knew the house in Glover Rd would be ideal for them and their four children when they first saw it 16 years ago. Built in the 1960s and with just two previous owners, it needed updating, but the location, the elevated site, the fantastic views and the sheer size of the threestorey house proved irresistible.
“With a big family, you need a big house, and this has been perfect for us,” says Nigel.
He and Philippa have carried out two huge renovations on the weatherboard and brick home in the years they have lived there. These have included adding a massive fivecar garage to house Nigel’s collection of classic motorbikes and cars.
A self-described “car guy”, having plenty of room for vehicles was a must for Nigel. There are also two carports, including one suitable for a motorhome or boat. Plus there is room to park another five cars on the forecourt.
The biggest task involved virtually gutting the house and rebuilding it. The Sticklands maintained the original footprint but moved walls in some places to reconfigure spaces, then tastefully redecorated throughout. The end result is a sophisticated and stylish home that is also practical and functional. The couple took great care to futureproof the house, including adding a lift as well as the spectacular staircase.
“We don’t use the lift very much, it’s just as easy to run up the stairs, but it is very good for moving furniture,” says Nigel.
Each of the three levels could be self-contained, if required, but the current layout has worked well for the family of six, who’ve also had children’s partners living there.
The ground floor has been the kids’ domain and is known as the bachelor pad, or BP. The living space with bar has hosted numerous parties, including some milestone birthdays, plus hundreds of informal gatherings. “All our kids’ friends knew the Stickland house was the place to go,” says Nigel.
There are also two bedrooms on this level, including one that was sound-proofed to use as a music room.
The next level up is the hub of the house, with the main living areas and kitchen. Philippa cleverly designed the kitchen, which has a large island and a butler’s pantry, to give her easy access to the appliances as well as allowing her to enjoy the views while she’s cooking. A window seat at one end is the perfect spot for family members to sit and relax while chatting to the cook. The kitchen adjoins a dining area that can be opened up to the formal living area next door via sliding doors.
The elegant formal lounge has an open fire and lighting in the cornices that creates a lovely glow. There’s also a sunroom, a bedroom with an en suite and a study on this floor.
The upper level is a quiet sanctuary that includes the master bedroom with its own en suite, walk-in-wardrobe and private living room, along with another bedroom, bathroom, and reading area on the landing.
Nigel reckons his and Philippa’s bedroom has one of the best views in Auckland, looking over the harbour to the city. “You never get sick of it.”
There’s great indoor/ outdoor flow throughout the home, with each of the three levels opening out to northwest facing-decks, plus another balcony and a huge deck that spans the whole roof of the garage on the other side of the house, looking out over Glover Park.
Nigel says he never thought he’d leave Glover Rd, but now the kids are all in their 20s and
30s, he and Philippa have decided on a complete change of lifestyle, and are moving to the South Island.
“I’ll miss it here,” he says. “I can’t imagine living anywhere better.”
Agent Carolyn Ryan of Bayleys says the house has so much to offer she’s suggesting that people planning on coming to the open homes allow at least
15 minutes to see everything. Stopping to take in the view is also likely to slow visitors down.
“This home has the most spectacular views of any we’ve marketed,” Carolyn says. “They’re an ever-changing portrait of everything we know and love about Auckland — our harbour, beaches, Sky Tower, volcanic cones and green parks.” Auction: October 15 Contact: Carolyn Ryan, Bayleys, 022 327 3099, Mitch Owens, 022 037 0100