CREATIVITY ON TAP
A secluded property that fired the imagination and creativity of two children is ready for a new set of owners, writes LOUISE RICHARDSON.
REMUERA
41A Combes Road
5 3 2
When Teresa and Mark bought their unique home in a private hideaway, down a long treelined driveway off Remuera’s Combes Road, 22 years ago, they immediately sensed that there was something very special about the property.
“Both Mark and I are from small communities, outside Auckland, so we didn’t want to live in a typical big city situation, and this struck us as an ideal location,” says Teresa.
“We’re right by the dogwalking track and most people don’t even know that it’s even here, so it’s a beautiful, secluded spot, surrounded by native plantings that draw in morepork, fantails, kereru and other native birds, which is just lovely.”
The house itself is a Sumich design, dating from the 1990s, and Teresa says it was originally built for a French family. She says that it’s a lovely peaceful house to be in, with clean, modern, neutral decor.
“The sunken lounge design means that you can be sitting on the couch surrounded by a beautiful vista, with a background of birdsong.
“Our two lovely daughters grew up here and it was very versatile as their needs changed – plus we own a construction company and being able to have Mark’s office within the house has been really useful too.”
Teresa says that the girls were Winnie-the-Pooh fans and referred to their family property as the “100-acre wood”.
“They used to take the dog and tie him to a tree, then enjoy a special lunch which I’d made for them, sitting on a picnic blanket, while I watched from the kitchen window to make sure they were safe!”
In terms of layout, the house offers high ceilings, a huge, open-plan, kitchen dining and living space, a separate lounge, two bedrooms and a laundry on the first floor, with extensive decking and a spa.
Mark’s company office is just inside the main entrance to the home on the second floor and could be a fifth bedroom while the master suite and a large guest bedroom enjoy their own balconies. The garage is internally accessed and an attic on the third level provides lots of useful storage space.
Teresa says that the house acted like a magnet to the girls’ friends when they were growing up. “It’s a fantastic place for entertaining and I really believe that whoever buys it will enjoy living here as much as we have.”
Now empty nesters, Teresa and Mark feel that they have finished adding value to the property and are moving on to a new challenge.
Listing agent Steve Koerber, from Ray White, Remuera, says that it’s relatively easy to find a luxurious executive home in double grammar zone Remuera if you have the time and the budget.
“It’s virtually impossible, however, to find your dream home in such a desirable and cloistered park-side position, with Waiata Reserve as your neighbour. Nature will nurture you every day.”
Sale: Auction, February 28 Contact: Steve Koerber,
Ray White, 021 864 166