It’s 2019, the auctioneer has called for final bids and the gavel comes down with a bang – Terence and Cindy McAssey are now the proud owners of the property at 236 Seaview Road, Henley Beach South.

The home had been partially renovated and, with his experience as a professional builder, Terence immediately saw its potential.

“The facade was completed, but inside was a different story,” says Terence. “The home was built in the 1930s and although it had good bones and a start on the renovations, it needed internal fittings and finishes”

Terence, Cindy and their two daughters moved into a rental down the street so they didn’t have to live through the building work, and Terence got started on the transformation.

When COVID-19 struck South Australia, the building industry took a hit and Terence found he wasn’t working as much – but this gave him more time to spend finishing the new home.

With the purchase of the property, Terence and Cindy also received an artist’s rendering of the envisioned renovation and worked with some of those ideas.

“I approached the build by recognising the home’s good bones and then capitalising on them and bringing to fruition how it is today,” Terence says.

“We took the plans on board because they were a style we like. I was then inspired by other high-end builds I have worked on and took it to the next level with quality finishes.”

Finally complete, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom home is now reminiscent of a high-end New York apartment with its feature glass throughout, soaring ceilings and sparkling lap pool.

Upon entering the home through the oak front door, the eye is immediately drawn to the shimmering aqua of the 16-metre lap pool through a feature viewing window.

There are two bedrooms on the ground floor – one of them a master suite with French doors offering balcony views to the water and a large en suite boasting bespoke cabinetry and underfloor lighting.

The pool travels beside the laundry and powder room, revealing its magnificence in the living room where three picture windows frame the pool and viewing windows beneath reveal what’s happening underwater.

The ceiling soars in the sunken living room where dancing shadows from the pool cast upon the dining space and kitchen.

“That living space is fantastic and a great benefit is the bi-fold doors that open completely to the outdoor alfresco area and doubles the space, creating a seamless blend between indoors and outdoors,” Terence says.

“You can have those doors open most of the year and enjoy an extended living space with all the fresh sea air and sunshine.

“There is an outdoor fridge and garden lighting – then of course you go up a few steps and you’re at the lap pool.”

Upstairs is the second master suite and accompanying lounge area with pocket doors on sliders that can open and close the spaces from one another.

“The upstairs lounge opens to the balcony where you get sunset views all year,” Terence says. “You can entertain across both levels and there is a vista out every window.

“It is a great entertaining home, but it is a great family home as well. We can easily enjoy entertaining friends or having family time, but there are also opportunities to resort back to our individual spaces.

“Upstairs is a parent’s retreat, especially when the kids are entertaining friends by the pool.”

With its easy access to the beach and proximity to Henley Square, Terence says the location is what really sold the property for his family.

“Coming upstairs and seeing that water view is very special and I knew we had to be part of it,” he says. “This home offers an amazing lifestyle.

“Henley is a vibrant place where we are spoiled for restaurants and shopping, plus, I would highly recommend coffee from the new cafe around the corner, Nauti Buoy.

“You can really invest in the square, the jetty, the walks and the fresh air. The house is a great complement to the area – they’re a brilliant pair.”

As reluctant as they are to leave their beautiful home behind, Terence and Cindy are moving to New South Wales to be closer to family.

“It wasn’t originally on the cards to move; we started this home with the intention of making it perfect and then enjoying it to the fullest, however, circumstances change and we are moving to be closer to family,” Terence says.

“We know that a new owner will come in and love the place as much as we have.”

The sale is being handled by Matt Plumridge and Laz Ouslinis of Ous Property.