Motorbike takes pride of place in prize-winning home.

**Swoop** · 29th October 2007, 11:11

The Harold.
5:00AM Monday October 29, 2007
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/6/...ectid=10472672

Seven bathrooms, and a Harley on display.
It's a step up from your average three bedroom bungalow.

An "opulent" 1087sq m family home in the upmarket Dunedin suburb of Maori Hill - with seven bathrooms, an indoor pool, a theatre, wine cellar and a six-car garage - has won the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Award.

The national winners were announced at a dinner in Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre on Saturday evening.

The house was built on former tennis courts by JJ Oskam Builders and has a Dunedin City Council rateable value of $3.2 million.

The owner, a Dunedin businessman who wished to remain anonymous, said the house was designed around his pride and joy - a V-Rod Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

"I don't collect Hoteres or anything like that. Motorbikes are my first love.

"My first bike was a Vespa. But a friend introduced me to a V-Rod Harley. The V-Rod was the first Porsche-designed Harley and mine was one of the first imported to Dunedin. It's a piece of art."

So, the bike takes its place in the foyer of his house, in a mirrored display case for visitors to appreciate.

"I've travelled the world and I've never seen a motorbike in a foyer, - so that's why I did it," he said.

JJ Oskam Builders owner John Oskam said he was delighted about the award.

Competition judges Graeme Sutton and Rolly Adams, said the outstanding attention to detail and flawless execution made the home the "standout winner".

"Sometimes in a field of exceptionally high quality, one entry stands out and is a joy to experience, and this property created that magic," Mr Adams said.

"The workmanship is flawless and the home is a credit to all those involved in its construction, and one in which not only the builder, but the whole industry should be justifiably proud."

Mainzeal Property and Construction won the Registered Master Builders Commercial Project of the Year for the upgrade of the surgical services unit of Burwood Hospital in Christchurch.

- Otago Daily Times

Bloody good on him!

**car** · 29th October 2007, 12:20

Originally Posted by Swoop

"I've travelled the world and I've never seen a motorbike in a foyer, - so that's why I did it," he said.

Really? I've seen several, including at least one instance in New Zealand -- the Museum Hotel in Wellington has a pair (IIRC) of MV Agustas opposite the reception desk.

**ninjac** · 29th October 2007, 12:26

Does he have another one to ride?
It's not like it's a collectors piece or anything!

**JimO** · 29th October 2007, 14:02

i have seen the house its nice all right but then you only need money you dont have to have class, the owner is probably a accountant or something like that

**JimO** · 9th November 2007, 19:16

the owner is a fast food peddeler

**Phil W** · 9th November 2007, 19:25

Harley Davidson = Expensive ornament.
Just as I've always suspected.
Bring back AMF.

**98tls** · 9th November 2007, 19:28

So wheres the motorbike?

**Phil W** · 9th November 2007, 19:37

"My first bike was a Vespa. But a friend introduced me to a V-Rod Harley. The V-Rod was the first Porsche-designed Harley and mine was one of the first imported to Dunedin. "It's a piece of art."
My first bike was a Vespa? Tells the whole story really.
Should Read "It's a piece of crap"

**98tls** · 9th November 2007, 19:46

Originally Posted by Phil W

"My first bike was a Vespa. But a friend introduced me to a V-Rod Harley. The V-Rod was the first Porsche-designed Harley and mine was one of the first imported to Dunedin. It's a piece of art."
Should Read "It's a piece of crap"

Not sure if i would call it "a piece of crap" at all and i am betting it probably does a great job of doing what its designed to do but is a great shame that it never will parked in his foyer

Hes has obviously done something right to afford such a house but on motorcycling i think he has missed the point altogether,on the other hand if it was a 78 900 SS Duke in his foyer then i would be

so i guess each to there own.

**Phil W** · 9th November 2007, 20:31

AMF did a fine job with the Hardly. Willy just brought his grand daughter in to beef up the marketing.
Overpriced, under engineered, branded to buggery. But the damn things keep selling, go figure.
Bring back AMF.

**JimO** · 9th November 2007, 20:38

every time you buy a big mac he gets richer

**98tls** · 9th November 2007, 20:44

Originally Posted by Phil W

AMF did a fine job with the Hardly. Willy just brought his grand daughter in to beef up the marketing.
Overpriced, under engineered, branded to buggery. But the damn things keep selling, go figure.
Bring back AMF.

Mind you i guess it could be considered similar bar one to a BM,overpriced,over engineered and also branded to buggery.Dont get me wrong as i am a bit of a BMW fan but after 30 odd years on bikes i see merit in almost all of them.

**Phil W** · 9th November 2007, 22:02

Originally Posted by 98tls

Mind you i guess it could be considered similar bar one to a BM,overpriced,over engineered and also branded to buggery.Dont get me wrong as i am a bit of a BMW fan but after 30 odd years on bikes i see merit in almost all of them.

Fair point.
But, over priced for that amount of engineering? For that amount of innovation?
Not that expensive when compared to..........
And at least its not a tractor.
But.. yes, all motor cycles have merit.
EXCEPT HARDLEYS.

**98tls** · 9th November 2007, 22:07

Originally Posted by Phil W

Fair point.
But, over priced for that amount of engineering? For that amount of innovation?
Not that expensive when compared to..........
And at least its not a tractor.
But.. yes, all motor cycles have merit.
EXCEPT HARDLEYS.

"one more step grasshopper and you will be complete".nice though.