78 McHardy Street, Havelock North, Hastings

Classic Spanish Mission

This Mediterranean designed Eric Phillips house works well in the Hawkes Bay just as well as it would in any of the European countries it heralds from. The house survived the Hawkes Bay earthquake, is a testament to its construction back in 1927 and captures the essence of Spanish mission architecture. \n\nIt has all the advantages of a lifestyle property without any of the disadvantages. It has privacy, peace and quiet, and no car noise, yet it's close to the village and all it has too offer. There is a room for indoor -outdoor living on both sides of the house, with courtyard and veranda areas and 12 doors leading outside from all areas of the house. The main lounge has a line of glass doors that open north onto a paved loggia, which is a wonderful place to laze away the day in sun or shade.\nAll of the windows open inwards so that slatted timber shutters can filter the light and keep rooms secure and cool in summer. The double-brick house is cool in summer and warm in winter.\n\nFeatures throughout the house include archways, tiled floors, brick painted internal walls and Mediterranean features throughout in the arts and crafts style to name but a few.\n\nThere is a large master bedroom, with ante room, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe along with another two bedrooms or fourth if you decide to include the den. Along with the large main living room, there is an adjacent separate dining room, sunroom, office and another main bathroom. \n\nThe grounds are extensive with mature trees and expansive lawns sloping away to the North. The house is approached by a long private drive which is boarded with shrubs and trees. I feel it has certainly stood the test of time as to build a house suitable not only to satisfy the New Zealand temperament over several generations, is no mean achievement. There is a feeling of permanence and enduring quality that is all too rare in our country.