FUNCTION, FLEXIBLE AND FUN
Amethodical approach resulted in owners Bill and Nikki buying this Terry Hitchcock-designed residence with a tranquil green backdrop, which they extended into their family home of 23 years.
Bill says: “After living in England for 15 years Nikki and I each drew up a wish list of what we wanted in a property, combining those into a checklist to help us evaluate them. After about three months of searching we were about to buy another property when we saw this one and said ‘hey, wait a minute, this one is even better’.
“It had so many things we wanted, such as great indoor-outdoor flow, tranquillity as it’s set away from the road, an internalaccess garage and lawn for the children.
“It has all-day sun and a 15-metre solarheated swimming pool, apparently installed for a marathon swimmer who swum many laps in it.”
Hitchcock’s design of the 1989 double grammar-zoned home imbues it with a somewhat traditional aura, melded beautifully with modern functionality.
It had four bedrooms when they purchased and they commissioned an architect to extend it into a six-bedroom home, large enough for them and their four children as they matured.
Nikki says: “It’s an entertainment haven extraordinaire with flow to outdoors from every room, included bedrooms opening to balconies on the third and fourth level.” Bill says: “Its configuration allows great flexibility. It caters for all family permutations from babies and toddlers, tweens and teenagers to returning adult children which is how we have managed to live here so happily for 23 years.
“It’s been brilliant for endless parties and gatherings over the years.”
The 420sqm cedar and concrete home’s setting down a double-width shared driveway is serene.
Some of its 1140sqm of land is taken up by its share of the driveway with the balance, dedicated to the house and its grounds, being predominantly flat.
The property is surrounded by mature trees and greenery teaming with birdlife and neighbouring tennis courts; enjoying elevated views down the valley. Yet it’s only 550 metres from Remuera Village.
Nikki says: “Moving here as a young mother, its proximity to everything we needed, made life simple and we often walked to schools, the supermarket, shops, sporting venues and parks.”
Open-air parking bolsters its three-door garage, an oversized double which fits three vehicles if one’s compact.
The entry level introduces a soaring atrium and gorgeous oak floors. This level’s layout flows out to a patio with outdoor fireplace, partially covered by a louvred roof.
A living room-dining area, opposite a powder room, neighbour a family roomkitchen which they renovated with blackand-white honed granite. This is the first of four split levels.
On another, a generous family room with tiled floor and an ensuited guest bedroom open out to the swimming pool.
The children’s level has three bedrooms and a bathroom.
Completing the layout and opening out to a deck with harbour and valley views are the ensuited master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and the sixth bedroom, which works well as a nursery or office.
Now that the children are grown, the couple is downsizing.
Agent Steve Koerber says: “It’s difficult to find a better location in Remuera than the western ridge of upper Victoria Ave.”
“It’s been brilliant for endless parties and gatherings over the years.”