A BEAUTY WITH A GARDEN TO MATCH
Score a spot right next to Eden Park in this easy-living family villa, a brilliant place for kids and welcoming friends, writes SANDRA GOODWIN
When life hands you rock you can get busy, as illustrated by this picturesque villa on manicured grounds accented by striking rock walls crafted by one of its owners.
Creative director Aaron Turk lives here with operations director Katie Murray and their children, Riley, 4, and Stella, 3, loving the villa’s largely original appeal right by Eden Park when he bought in 2008.
Aaron says: “I wanted to do some levelling of the section and hit lava flow about a metre down, ending up with 14 truckloads of rock.
“I’m not a qualified stonemason but I love DIY and landscaping and took about a-year-and-a-half to build all these rock walls, putting a lot of love into them.
The 756sq m section is fronted by a fence with electric gates securing the quadruplecar-length driveway and single garage.
The 1906 villa has instant appeal with its front veranda and detailed fretwork but this family has introduced modern amenities including installing full air-conditioning and HRV.
The master bedroom transitions through wardrobing to its en suite. It is accompanied by two more bedrooms in the main house, plus an office-kids’ playroom.
The open-plan kitchenliving-dining at the end of the hallway opens to functional outdoor entertaining facilities, integrating built-in seating. A slightly sunken barbecueseating-deck area neighbours an expanse of pergola-topped decking integrating adjustable shutters. Re-landscaping includes level lawn accented with rock walls and manicured gardens terracing up to a rear studio awash with glass.
“It’s one of my favourite places, built in Californian 60s style . . .”
Aaron says it’s a really easyliving family home and a brilliant place for kids and for welcoming friends over.
The family will sell and embark on a new project.
Agent Will Gluestein says: “This home is the epitome of an urban oasis and truly a rare find, a beautiful family villa with an impeccably landscaped garden to match.”
Sale: Auction February 25 Contact: Will Gluestein, Barfoot & Thompson, 021 494 924