A HOME WITH A RESORT VIBE

A random Thursday deadline led to a new life in a superb home overlooking Langs Beach, writes LEIGH BRAMWELL.

“We rang the agent and asked if it was still for sale. It was, so we said: ‘if it’s still for sale on Thursday, we’ll buy it.’”

Ahouse that caught the attention of an Auckland couple driving home from Waipu three and a half years ago not only tugged at their hearts, but simply wouldn’t let go.

They had no intention of moving, but 1178D Cove Road at Langs Beach stayed in their minds for six months, at which point they suddenly decided “OK, we’ll do it.” Ian says, “We rang the agent and asked if it was still for sale. It was, so we said: ‘if it’s still for sale on Thursday, we’ll buy it.’”

Langs Beach had been a favourite surfing spot for Ian in his teens, so the house on the hills overlooking the waves seemed perfect. The design of the building, size, privacy, sea views and the superb garden were all drawcards.

Now for sale by tender, the house, built in Italian provincial style on a one hectare block, is complete with a cavity system and features quality, durable materials. An Italian barrel tiled roof and recycled Jarrah beams, ceiling panelling and floors all contribute to the bespoke country-style design.

Ian and Frances spend most of their indoor time in the open plan kitchen/dining/family room which opens out to a patio with panoramic sea views.

There’s also access from here to a big, sheltered courtyard set up for outdoor entertaining with lounge and dining settings, and a pizza oven.

The kitchen is superb, with a three-metre central granite bench, a double oven with five-burner gas cooktop and a butler’s sink.

The living area has one of three fireplaces inside the house (there are two more in the outdoor entertaining areas) and on the ground floor there is also an office, a fourth bedroom with en-suite and walk-in wardrobe, and an additional guest toilet.

Up a curved timber and wrought-iron staircase is another of the couple’s favourite spaces – the massive north-east facing master bedroom with two private balconies and 180 degree views of bush and ocean. The adjoining bathroom has twin vanities and a custom-designed bath in a listello-tiled surround.

Ian and Frances have done very little to the interior of the house, but as keen gardeners have cleared a lot of the garden areas, enhancing the landscaping, the focal point of which is the pool and nearby jacuzzi. It’s their favourite outdoor spot and along with the lush, tropical landscaping, is largely responsible for giving the property its resort-like feel.

“The kids and grandchildren love it too - at Christmas the whole team came so we had 12 or 13 people here.”

Guests who don’t fit in the house can be accommodated in the 336-square metre barn, which has a mezzanine sleeping area, kitchenette and bathroom, along with garaging and a workshop.

Also included are two undercover stables, an equestrian ring adjoining a large grazing paddock, and a recently renovated tack room which is used as a sleep-out. Sale: Tender

Contact: Christine Birss, Bayleys, 027 235 4323