Revealed: Beach shack's big glow up
A builder couple's reimagining of a tired Gold Coast shack, the property at 4 Alpha Ave, Currumbin is going under the hammer on June 14 with Coastal agents, Ed Cherry and Cooper McCormack.
Named Aeri, the home is the fourth local project from Mitchell and Rebecca Kekwick, and one of few new builds in a tightly held pocket close to the creek, schools and beach.
Its peaked roof and single-level layout are about all that remains from the original cottage, with the couple creating a four-bedroom floorplan around a landscaped internal courtyard.
'We had a decent settlement so we spent a lot of time planning. We wanted to keep the original apex shape as a bit of a homage to a home that you would draw as a kid — that being said, the existing apex was only 2.4m,' Ms Kekwick said.
Raked ceilings now soar to 5.3m, enhanced by skylights filling interiors with natural light.
Designed foremost as a functional family home for the Kekwicks and their two young children, the home's clean lines and neutral palette are softened by warm timber finishes, walnut joinery, and creamy Italian marble.
Large sliders open onto a covered alfresco barbecue terrace and pool zone, while inside features include a designer kitchen with high-end appliances and a butler's pantry, wet room-style bathroom, office space, and a media room.
Ms Kekwick, 31, was pregnant with her youngest when they took on the renovation, having spent more than a year scouting for the right site. Records show they paid $1.15m for the 569 sqm property in November 2023.
A former lawyer and self-described 'Type A' personality, Ms Kekwick traded corporate life for full-time renovating — managing the design, schedules and selections while raising two children under two.
MORE NEWS
Sky home with 'rock star vibes' on the market
Young richlisters drive luxury surge
Big blow for anyone who isn't a millionaire
'We'd settled on our last house 10 days before I was due with our daughter who is now two, so we were navigating becoming parents for the first time,' Ms Kekwick said.
'We had previously renovated a few houses and I loved working with my husband, so I saw it as a bit of an out from a career I didn't love.'
The couple pulled off their latest project just in time to move in together as a family of four – but not without overcoming a few major hurdles.
They were hit with a surprise $25,000 quote for asbestos removal partway through the build, and later told they could face a wait of up to three months to get power connected.
Then came the challenge of bringing the house in line with recently tightened building codes, adding complexity and cost to the already ambitious project.
Now, Ms Kekwick is enjoying the days she has left in the property she describes as a 'dream home'.
'The house is really unassuming from the street, but I think we have created a real wow factor with the ceiling height over the hallway,' she said.
'Nothing compares to someone coming into the house and saying, 'oh my gosh, I wasn't expecting that'.'
Currumbin's median house price rose 9 per cent over the past year to $1.69 million, according to PropTrack.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Peugeot, Ram parent posts A$4.1 billion loss, forecasts more tariff trouble
Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, Dodge and many others, has posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first half of 2025. In the same period last year, the company €5.6 billion (A$10 billion). The automaker released unaudited financial and vehicle shipment numbers this week ahead of a call with investors at the end of the month. The numbers include €3.3 billion ($5.9 billion) in charges relating to restructuring and cancelled model programs, including its recent axing of hydrogen fuel-cell development, investments in hybrid for Europe, and returning the Hemi V8 to the Ram pickup range. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. In a letter to employees seen by Reuters, CEO Antonio Filosa said 2025 would be "a year of gradual and sustainable improvement". He noted the first half of the year was "tough", and warned there would be "increasing external headwinds". According to the company, tariff uncertainty caused by President Trump cost the company around €300 million (A$530 million) in the first half. Doug Ostermann, the automaker's chief financial officer, told analysts and Reuters tariffs are expected to cost the company between €1 and €1.5 billion (A$1.8 to A$2.7 billion) this year. These figures show new CEO Antonio Filosa has a lot of work to do to right the French-Italian-American automaker. That said, front-loading as much of the bad news and numbers into this half will give the CEO more room to make changes and to paint any upswing in a more positive light. Vehicle shipments — which are cars invoiced to dealers, importers and buyers — dropped 90,000 or 6.0 per cent compared to the same time last year. The biggest fall occurred in North America where shipments dropped 109,000 units or 25 per cent to 322,000 vehicles. Stellantis said this was partially due to reduced manufacturing and imports due to tariff concerns, as well as lower fleet sales. It was keen to point out Jeep and Ram sales were up 13 per cent collectively. In Europe shipments fell 50,000 vehicles or 6.0 per cent to 722,000, with the automaker citing "product transition" as the reason. It notes that production is still ramping up of the Citroen C3, C3 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, and Opel Frontera, which are all based on the Smart Car platform. Also, the Fiat 500 (above) has lost its Italian sales crown as production of the petrol-powered second-generation model has stopped due to the EU's cybersecurity legislation. Fiat has reworked the third-generation 500, launched as an EV-only model, to accept a mild hybrid drivetrain, but volume production won't begin until next year. Strong growth elsewhere helped to mitigate the losses in Europe and North America. South America, where Stellantis is a market leader, was up 20 per cent to 260,000 cars thanks to demand in Brazil and Argentina. The Middle East and Africa was up 30 per cent to 125,000 units on the back of good numbers in Turkey. Maserati, though, was down 7000 units or 22 per cent to just 2500 vehicle shipments. This will no doubt fuel more rumours about its potential sale. Content originally sourced from: Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, Dodge and many others, has posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first half of 2025. In the same period last year, the company €5.6 billion (A$10 billion). The automaker released unaudited financial and vehicle shipment numbers this week ahead of a call with investors at the end of the month. The numbers include €3.3 billion ($5.9 billion) in charges relating to restructuring and cancelled model programs, including its recent axing of hydrogen fuel-cell development, investments in hybrid for Europe, and returning the Hemi V8 to the Ram pickup range. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. In a letter to employees seen by Reuters, CEO Antonio Filosa said 2025 would be "a year of gradual and sustainable improvement". He noted the first half of the year was "tough", and warned there would be "increasing external headwinds". According to the company, tariff uncertainty caused by President Trump cost the company around €300 million (A$530 million) in the first half. Doug Ostermann, the automaker's chief financial officer, told analysts and Reuters tariffs are expected to cost the company between €1 and €1.5 billion (A$1.8 to A$2.7 billion) this year. These figures show new CEO Antonio Filosa has a lot of work to do to right the French-Italian-American automaker. That said, front-loading as much of the bad news and numbers into this half will give the CEO more room to make changes and to paint any upswing in a more positive light. Vehicle shipments — which are cars invoiced to dealers, importers and buyers — dropped 90,000 or 6.0 per cent compared to the same time last year. The biggest fall occurred in North America where shipments dropped 109,000 units or 25 per cent to 322,000 vehicles. Stellantis said this was partially due to reduced manufacturing and imports due to tariff concerns, as well as lower fleet sales. It was keen to point out Jeep and Ram sales were up 13 per cent collectively. In Europe shipments fell 50,000 vehicles or 6.0 per cent to 722,000, with the automaker citing "product transition" as the reason. It notes that production is still ramping up of the Citroen C3, C3 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, and Opel Frontera, which are all based on the Smart Car platform. Also, the Fiat 500 (above) has lost its Italian sales crown as production of the petrol-powered second-generation model has stopped due to the EU's cybersecurity legislation. Fiat has reworked the third-generation 500, launched as an EV-only model, to accept a mild hybrid drivetrain, but volume production won't begin until next year. Strong growth elsewhere helped to mitigate the losses in Europe and North America. South America, where Stellantis is a market leader, was up 20 per cent to 260,000 cars thanks to demand in Brazil and Argentina. The Middle East and Africa was up 30 per cent to 125,000 units on the back of good numbers in Turkey. Maserati, though, was down 7000 units or 22 per cent to just 2500 vehicle shipments. This will no doubt fuel more rumours about its potential sale. Content originally sourced from: Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, Dodge and many others, has posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first half of 2025. In the same period last year, the company €5.6 billion (A$10 billion). The automaker released unaudited financial and vehicle shipment numbers this week ahead of a call with investors at the end of the month. The numbers include €3.3 billion ($5.9 billion) in charges relating to restructuring and cancelled model programs, including its recent axing of hydrogen fuel-cell development, investments in hybrid for Europe, and returning the Hemi V8 to the Ram pickup range. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. In a letter to employees seen by Reuters, CEO Antonio Filosa said 2025 would be "a year of gradual and sustainable improvement". He noted the first half of the year was "tough", and warned there would be "increasing external headwinds". According to the company, tariff uncertainty caused by President Trump cost the company around €300 million (A$530 million) in the first half. Doug Ostermann, the automaker's chief financial officer, told analysts and Reuters tariffs are expected to cost the company between €1 and €1.5 billion (A$1.8 to A$2.7 billion) this year. These figures show new CEO Antonio Filosa has a lot of work to do to right the French-Italian-American automaker. That said, front-loading as much of the bad news and numbers into this half will give the CEO more room to make changes and to paint any upswing in a more positive light. Vehicle shipments — which are cars invoiced to dealers, importers and buyers — dropped 90,000 or 6.0 per cent compared to the same time last year. The biggest fall occurred in North America where shipments dropped 109,000 units or 25 per cent to 322,000 vehicles. Stellantis said this was partially due to reduced manufacturing and imports due to tariff concerns, as well as lower fleet sales. It was keen to point out Jeep and Ram sales were up 13 per cent collectively. In Europe shipments fell 50,000 vehicles or 6.0 per cent to 722,000, with the automaker citing "product transition" as the reason. It notes that production is still ramping up of the Citroen C3, C3 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, and Opel Frontera, which are all based on the Smart Car platform. Also, the Fiat 500 (above) has lost its Italian sales crown as production of the petrol-powered second-generation model has stopped due to the EU's cybersecurity legislation. Fiat has reworked the third-generation 500, launched as an EV-only model, to accept a mild hybrid drivetrain, but volume production won't begin until next year. Strong growth elsewhere helped to mitigate the losses in Europe and North America. South America, where Stellantis is a market leader, was up 20 per cent to 260,000 cars thanks to demand in Brazil and Argentina. The Middle East and Africa was up 30 per cent to 125,000 units on the back of good numbers in Turkey. Maserati, though, was down 7000 units or 22 per cent to just 2500 vehicle shipments. This will no doubt fuel more rumours about its potential sale. Content originally sourced from: Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, Dodge and many others, has posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first half of 2025. In the same period last year, the company €5.6 billion (A$10 billion). The automaker released unaudited financial and vehicle shipment numbers this week ahead of a call with investors at the end of the month. The numbers include €3.3 billion ($5.9 billion) in charges relating to restructuring and cancelled model programs, including its recent axing of hydrogen fuel-cell development, investments in hybrid for Europe, and returning the Hemi V8 to the Ram pickup range. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. In a letter to employees seen by Reuters, CEO Antonio Filosa said 2025 would be "a year of gradual and sustainable improvement". He noted the first half of the year was "tough", and warned there would be "increasing external headwinds". According to the company, tariff uncertainty caused by President Trump cost the company around €300 million (A$530 million) in the first half. Doug Ostermann, the automaker's chief financial officer, told analysts and Reuters tariffs are expected to cost the company between €1 and €1.5 billion (A$1.8 to A$2.7 billion) this year. These figures show new CEO Antonio Filosa has a lot of work to do to right the French-Italian-American automaker. That said, front-loading as much of the bad news and numbers into this half will give the CEO more room to make changes and to paint any upswing in a more positive light. Vehicle shipments — which are cars invoiced to dealers, importers and buyers — dropped 90,000 or 6.0 per cent compared to the same time last year. The biggest fall occurred in North America where shipments dropped 109,000 units or 25 per cent to 322,000 vehicles. Stellantis said this was partially due to reduced manufacturing and imports due to tariff concerns, as well as lower fleet sales. It was keen to point out Jeep and Ram sales were up 13 per cent collectively. In Europe shipments fell 50,000 vehicles or 6.0 per cent to 722,000, with the automaker citing "product transition" as the reason. It notes that production is still ramping up of the Citroen C3, C3 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, and Opel Frontera, which are all based on the Smart Car platform. Also, the Fiat 500 (above) has lost its Italian sales crown as production of the petrol-powered second-generation model has stopped due to the EU's cybersecurity legislation. Fiat has reworked the third-generation 500, launched as an EV-only model, to accept a mild hybrid drivetrain, but volume production won't begin until next year. Strong growth elsewhere helped to mitigate the losses in Europe and North America. South America, where Stellantis is a market leader, was up 20 per cent to 260,000 cars thanks to demand in Brazil and Argentina. The Middle East and Africa was up 30 per cent to 125,000 units on the back of good numbers in Turkey. Maserati, though, was down 7000 units or 22 per cent to just 2500 vehicle shipments. This will no doubt fuel more rumours about its potential sale. Content originally sourced from:
Canberra Times
10 hours ago
- Canberra Times
Peugeot, Ram parent posts A$4.1 billion loss, forecasts more tariff trouble
These figures show new CEO Antonio Filosa has a lot of work to do to right the French-Italian-American automaker. That said, front-loading as much of the bad news and numbers into this half will give the CEO more room to make changes and to paint any upswing in a more positive light.
7NEWS
11 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Peugeot, Ram parent posts A$4.1 billion loss, forecasts more tariff trouble
Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot, Citroen, Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, Dodge and many others, has posted a €2.3 billion (A$4.1 billion) loss for the first half of 2025. In the same period last year, the company €5.6 billion (A$10 billion). The automaker released unaudited financial and vehicle shipment numbers this week ahead of a call with investors at the end of the month. The numbers include €3.3 billion ($5.9 billion) in charges relating to restructuring and cancelled model programs, including its recent axing of hydrogen fuel-cell development, investments in hybrid for Europe, and returning the Hemi V8 to the Ram pickup range. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. In a letter to employees seen by Reuters, CEO Antonio Filosa said 2025 would be 'a year of gradual and sustainable improvement'. He noted the first half of the year was 'tough', and warned there would be 'increasing external headwinds'. According to the company, tariff uncertainty caused by President Trump cost the company around €300 million (A$530 million) in the first half. Doug Ostermann, the automaker's chief financial officer, told analysts and Reuters tariffs are expected to cost the company between €1 and €1.5 billion (A$1.8 to A$2.7 billion) this year. These figures show new CEO Antonio Filosa has a lot of work to do to right the French-Italian-American automaker. That said, front-loading as much of the bad news and numbers into this half will give the CEO more room to make changes and to paint any upswing in a more positive light. Vehicle shipments — which are cars invoiced to dealers, importers and buyers — dropped 90,000 or 6.0 per cent compared to the same time last year. The biggest fall occurred in North America where shipments dropped 109,000 units or 25 per cent to 322,000 vehicles. Stellantis said this was partially due to reduced manufacturing and imports due to tariff concerns, as well as lower fleet sales. It was keen to point out Jeep and Ram sales were up 13 per cent collectively. In Europe shipments fell 50,000 vehicles or 6.0 per cent to 722,000, with the automaker citing 'product transition' as the reason. It notes that production is still ramping up of the Citroen C3, C3 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, and Opel Frontera, which are all based on the Smart Car platform. Also, the Fiat 500 (above) has lost its Italian sales crown as production of the petrol-powered second-generation model has stopped due to the EU's cybersecurity legislation. Fiat has reworked the third-generation 500, launched as an EV-only model, to accept a mild hybrid drivetrain, but volume production won't begin until next year. Strong growth elsewhere helped to mitigate the losses in Europe and North America. South America, where Stellantis is a market leader, was up 20 per cent to 260,000 cars thanks to demand in Brazil and Argentina. The Middle East and Africa was up 30 per cent to 125,000 units on the back of good numbers in Turkey. Maserati, though, was down 7000 units or 22 per cent to just 2500 vehicle shipments. This will no doubt fuel more rumours about its potential sale.
