Couple selling their dream Grand Designs house at Piha to embark on new venture


When this build featured on Grand Designs NZ, there was a lovely introduction – owners Joseph and Suze Hardie told how used to jump the fence with a bottle of bubbles to sit outside an old bach on the clifftop at Piha.

They would lap up the view and pretend it was theirs. And then, lo and behold, the bach came on the market, and it did become their home.

Six years after they bought it, they demolished the old bach and over a couple of years built their dream home – one of the more expensive projects we have seen on the show. While the couple was coy at putting an exact figure on the cost, it is believed to have been around $2 million after their initial budget of $1.3 million blew out.

Joseph and Suze Hardie, pictured here with Grand Designs NZ presenter Chris Moller (right) demolished an old bach that was their first home to build their stunning contemporary home high above Piha beach.

MEDIAWORKS

Joseph and Suze Hardie, pictured here with Grand Designs NZ presenter Chris Moller (right) demolished an old bach that was their first home to build their stunning contemporary home high above Piha beach.

At one stage the build was put on hold for 18 months, while the pair sorted their finances.

They have had two summers finishing the landscaping and enjoying the spectacular features of the house, which features living areas on the lower level, so they flow seamlessly to the outdoors.

And now, the family has committed to another project, and has listed the property with Glen Foster of Harcourts Twentythree Group.

Clifftop Retreat, as the property was named on Grand Designs, was a high-end build using natural raw materials that capture the “aesthetic of the wild West Coast”.

The Grand Designs house in Piha is designed so entertaining areas flow out to a large deck, spa and infinity edge pool.

HARCOURTS

The Grand Designs house in Piha is designed so entertaining areas flow out to a large deck, spa and infinity edge pool.

There's an outdoor kitchen with Argentinian barbecue.

HARCOURTS

There’s an outdoor kitchen with Argentinian barbecue.

Special features of the interior include a roughsawn macrocarpa ceiling that wraps down a wall, an organic paint finish, and a black stone benchtop and splashback that’s reminiscent of the black West Coast sand.

The huge outdoor entertaining area, with Argentinian barbecue (for Joseph who likes to hunt), outdoor kitchen, spa, infinity pool and an outdoor shower are key features.

And, needless to say the design maximises the spectacular views. When the Grand Designs show screened in 2020, they talked of how they could lie in bed in the morning and stare right out over Lion Rock and North Piha. Their son would lie in bed and check the surf before he got up.

Raw macrocarpa wraps the ceiling and far wall of the open-plan living area.

HARCOURTS

Raw macrocarpa wraps the ceiling and far wall of the open-plan living area.

There's an inviting window seat with a view alongside the fireplace.

HARCOURTS

There’s an inviting window seat with a view alongside the fireplace.

The four-bedroom home, designed by architect Hamish Gunns, has two living areas, and the latest smart technologies, including underfloor heating, bespoke lighting, built-in audio, 2-series ventilation system, and security system.

The house sits on 3010m², and comes with a garage and off-street parking for four cars.

It will be auctioned by Harcourts on September 11, 2022.

The kitchen features cabinetry with an organic paint finish, and black stone benchtops that reference the black sand beach.

HARCOURTS

The kitchen features cabinetry with an organic paint finish, and black stone benchtops that reference the black sand beach.

The long island top makes entertaining a breeze.

HARCOURTS

The long island top makes entertaining a breeze.

The main suite boasts a prime position extending out towards the view.

HARCOURTS

The main suite boasts a prime position extending out towards the view.

The pool and spa can be enjoyed at any time of the day or night.

HARCOURTS

The pool and spa can be enjoyed at any time of the day or night.



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