The Property
The house is a sunny, welcoming and beautifully situated character bungalow of historic significance in the foothills of Miranda. This house has an expansive, park-like feel, looking out across mature trees, to the Coromandel Peninsula. The house is quiet, spacious and cheerful with a garden full of birds, native trees and heritage fruit trees.
The master bedroom has french doors which lead out to the garden. There are two further large bedrooms (one is super large), a lovely sunroom and old wooden sleepout that can be used as an elegant guest room or office (has phone line). There are polished original wood floors and ceilings throughout, except for an ornate plaster cast ceiling design in the lounge. Morning sun pours into the kitchen, dining room and lounge. The house gets all day sun, with dramatic views of sunsets in the evenings.
With a wealth of skillsets in the surrounding friendly community, the property is perfect for the development of a country retreat, and a place where people can try out the country lifestyle.
Other features:
– high-speed broadband
– heatpump + ducting
– tank and bore water supply
– very large laundry with combined hot water and linen cupboard
– large amounts of storage
– quick access to motorways
Location
In the ‘golden triangle’ between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, Miranda is able to serve families, organisations, and businesses from these areas.
– 55 mins from Auckland Central
– 45 mins from Auckland Airport
– 1 hour, 15 mins from Hamilton
– 1 hour, 48 mins from Tauranga
– 25 mins from Thames, Coromandel
Workshop or further accommodation
There is a separate skyline garage with carpeted floors and bathroom (basin, shower, toilet) on the property. This is an optional building that can be used for workshops and to initiate walks. Other options include staff accommodation or for maintenance and storage purposes. Another approach altogether would be to remove it, and bring in a separate building to increase the accommodation available at the site.
Art & Installations
Part of the concept of the retreat will be to mix aspects of ‘wonder’ into the environment, through art and science. This would mean the installation of artworks through the house, and in time, the surrounding grounds. A non-profit Trust will be set up to manage this, which would ensure that those involved in developing the artworks are fairly compensated, and supported in their work.
Renovation
In order to make the best possible environment for the artworks and our retreat guests, a renovation of this 100+ year old house is being planned. Built all in strong native timbers, the house in very good original condition generally (especially the floors and ceilings!), but needs some repiling and expanding to make it into the retreat space envisioned. Therefore the house is currently being tenanted in order to help to raise the funds required, and other means are being sought. The goal is to be able to start renovating from 2015.
Interested in becoming a part of it? Contact Us
House of Wonder is interested to find like-minded individuals interested in the concepts being developed for the retreat and sculpture spaces. If you are intrigued by the ideas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for at least a chat, and any thoughts you might have and would like to discuss.