Modern Family Home on a hill with Phenomenal Views

A modern character home with panoramic views that showcase the sweep of Lyall Bay offers exemplary executive family living on a surprisingly sheltered Houghton Bay ridgeline.

The exceptionally sunny fourbedroom house, at 25 View Rd, stands out for not only its stunning aspect but also its drive-on convenience with off-street parking for three cars and a carpeted double-garage with its own view of Wellington Harbour.

Not surprisingly, it’s the view across the airport and Lyall Bay, from Pencarrow Head to the inner harbour, that the owners will most miss.

‘‘It’s such an active view with parasailers, surfers, planes and ferries, and clouds and birds all going by,’’ they say. ‘‘It’s never the same and the sunrises are amazing.’’

The site’s original dwelling dated to the 1900s but a major rebuild and significant extension in 2008 transformed it into a superbly specified modern home that still retains vintage appeal, from the traditional (a bullnose veranda) to the quirky (an internal garage door that came from a Royal NZ Navy frigate sunk off the south coast).

The 260-square metre house has been fully-insulated and double-glazed, and features underfloor radiator heating on the spacious light-filled living/ dining level.

It has floor-to-ceiling glazing and two sets of stacker doors that open to a north-facing alfresco patio and an east-facing deck (with space for a spa pool) that are largely sheltered from the prevailing winds.

The living/dining areas are open-plan with the entertainers’ kitchen, which includes a 900 millimetre-wide Ilve range with a gas cooktop, an integrated rangehood, refrigerator-freezer, Miele dishwasher, butler’s pantry and island breakfast bar.

Also on this level are a study with a view of the airport and a powder room.

Stairs with a stained leadlight ascend to the split-level bedroom wing, where the main bedroom enjoys the house’s broadest wraparound view.

It has a dressing area behind a feature wall and a tiled semiensuite with a shower, deep bath, vanity, toilet and underfloor heating; two other double-bedrooms, each with a harbour view, share this bathroom.

The fourth double-bedroom is on a split level. It looks towards Pencarrow Head and has its own tiled ensuite, so would be great for guests.

Other features include floating shelves and cabinetry, extensive storage, skylights, a hideaway laundry and wide tiled steps that descend from the street to the front door.

‘‘This is an extraordinary executive family home in one of Houghton Bay’s best locations,’’ Ben Atwill, of Ray White, says.

‘‘It’s very warm and comfortable on an easy-care, contained 327-square metre section that’s extremely private — no one can look in on you.

‘‘It’s such a rarity in Wellington to find a completely renovated home on a hill with

phenomenal views and so much off-street parking and garaging — there’s even room for a boat.’’