The Legend lives on
by Shirley Chan
(Property Guide, Rotorua Daily Post for Harcourts Real Estate)
A legendary piece following in Hinemoa’s footsteps
Features:
- Character home on 3700 m2 lake-edge property
- Mature gardens
- 4 Bedrooms, 2 Living Rooms
- Mezzanine Floor Games/Guest Room
- Potentially sub-dividable
- 5 minutes from Te Ngae shopping centre & Owhata shops
- 10 minutes into the city centre
- Close to good schooling
- Private and exclusive neighbourhood
- Quality home with plenty of timber joinery
- Panoramic views over the lake with no obstructions
- North-facing, sunny, warm aspect
- Property extends onto the lake edge with waterside deck
- Proximity to boat-launching jetty
Forever linked to the romantic love story of Princess Hinemoa from Owhata and Prince Tutanekai of Mokoia Island, this solid block and Cedar character home right on Hinemoa Point, Owhata, shares the mystic charm of this eternal love story, the city, lake and the region.
This 3700m2 property with mature gardens in a private enclave of a handful of majestic homes runs right onto the softly lapping waters of Lake Rotorua on Hinemoa Point, just 5 minutes from the Owhata shops and Te Ngae Shopping Centre. The city is just 10 minutes away and good schooling is conveniently close.
The views from this elevated house site are incomparable, unobstructed and expansive. From every room, the many moods of Lake Rotorua may be enjoyed. The front lawn extends onto a deck built right over the water. This spot is ideal for a picnic or a glass of wine and lazy hours spent taking in the beauty that Nature has blessed this area with.
A pretty cobbled path lined by edged floral and veggie gardens leads up to a home set on 3 levels. The sense of height and quality is instantly obvious with its Rimu paneled ceilings, Rimu stairs, Rimu doors and trims, carpeting and flooring. The entry level into the open plan kitchen and living room leads into an adjacent family room and further into a formal lounge, all of which have an elevated and spectacular view of the lake.
This level is shared with the Master Bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, a large en suite and private verandah, the Laundry and the internal access into the Garage and workshop.
A set of Rimu stairs leads up to a Mezzanine floor over the kitchen and living room. The views of the lake from this level are still magnificent. This room, which may be used as a guest room or a rumpus room, opens onto a flat butynol roof where one may survey the surrounds.
Another set of stairs leads to the lower level which houses 3 bedrooms, a bathroom and toilet. Every room on this level has views of the lake and opens onto the massive front lawn and lake edge. With decking off some rooms and private lake access, the magic of this lakeside property is endless.
Plenty of windows, skylights, classy, peaceful colour schemes, numerous accesses to the outdoors, gardens and lake, its link to the legendary love story of the region – all these give this home a beautifully charming feel, promising a special privilege of ownership those who tread the footsteps of the Maori royals, Hinemoa and Tutanekai.
The boating ramp is just around the corner and numerous lake activities such as water-skiing, wake-boarding, fishing or just sailing around are within easy reach. Good schooling, shopping, the city and recreational activities in the Redwood Forest are conveniently nearby.
This property is unique, full of character and potentially sub-dividable. There is plenty of potential for its use and income-generating options are realistically possible. Such private, sizeable, lakeside properties are hard to come by and this piece of prime real estate in a historical spot is a pity to miss out on.