Justin Norris's family home for sale; growing family needs more room

He did  much of it with a stunning view of Newcastle as his backdrop, from the Stevenson Place home that he and his wife, Brooke, bought in 2009.

Now the modern three-bedroom terrace home is on the market, and it’s a bitter-sweet feeling for the three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

‘‘The view from the deck, looking out over Newcastle, the times we’ve spent up here entertaining, New Year’s Eve watching the fireworks with the kids, those are memories we’ll have forever,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m definitely going to miss the place – the park across the road, and living in town these days, with all the eateries and wine bars and things, plus the beach just across the road.’’

But with four young children – Sabre, 10, Sockie, 8, Biggy, 6 and Naz, 5 – the Norris family are looking to expand.

The home itself is a modern take on the traditional terrace. The top-level private balcony is the most arresting feature, but the home itself is full of lavish details and natural light.

After retiring from competitive swimming following the 2004 Olympics, Norris dedicated himself to his family and his business, the Justin Norris Swim Academy in Thornton, and life these days couldn’t be much different, he says.

‘‘I think I sometimes forget that I was a competitive swimmer,’’ he said.

‘‘Every once in a while someone might recognise me because of the hair, which is nice, but I don’t think about it much. I’m definitely not the kind of person who swims for fun these days, I don’t swim laps or anything like that.’’

An older home   three doors down recently sold for $1.1million, and the Norrises will accept offers above that.