- Listing agent Jules Bailey-Rotman describes the Silverstream house designed by Roger Walker as a magical castle.
- The 1976 home features exposed brick, large round windows, and a central "milk bottle" tower.
- The property, inviting enquiries over $950,000, is well-maintained with under-floor heating and a beech forest setting.
Listing agent Jules Bailey-Rotman loves the house tucked away on leafy Chatsworth Road, a prestigious street in Upper Hutt’s Silverstream. To him, it's a fairytale castle.
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The home was commissioned by the vendors, an artist and a doctor, in 1976, and Bailey-Rotman, from Just Paterson, says that’s the decade it's stayed true to for 50 years.
But if the thought of a 1970s original conjures up images of clashing carpets and garish wallpaper, expect to be surprised.
The house, which is up for grabs and inviting buyer enquiries over $950,000, was designed by legendary architect Roger Walker and features exposed brick walls, large round windows and a central column that looks a bit like a milk bottle.
The quirky but stylish house bears all the hallmarks of Roger Walker's joyous style. Photo / Supplied
The listing agent has highlighted the spacious living quarters it offers. Photo / Supplied
The house also has a more neutral palette than it might have had: “Like, you've got brown tiles and things, but it's not your paisleys and not too loud, and I think the vendors worked with Walker and toned it down a little,” Bailey-Rotman told OneRoof.
Inside the tall central “milk bottle” tower is a spiral staircase, which, Bailey-Rotman said, goes to the main living level, then up to the master bedroom and up again to a study.
“It's quite rare to have it original because most have been messed around a bit over the years, but this one hasn't," Bailey-Rotman said.
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“It's like you're in a castle. There are various areas. Roger Walker is renowned for round windows as well, and there are some pretty amazing little nooks and crannies, but it also has quite good living spaces. They flow a bit better than a lot of the other ones do."
He added: “It's very architectural, but as a family home it does work well.”
The house had been well-maintained over the decades and even has under-floor heating. The location was also great, Bailey-Rotman said. Chatsworth Road is long and leafy, and the house is at the end of the street, looking out over the valley and enjoying plenty of sun.
“It's up amongst the beech forest and backs directly onto a reserve as well, so it's a lovely setting, full of bird life.”
A 70s gem without the 70s headaches, 74A Chatsworth Road is inviting buyer enquiry over $950,000. Photo / Supplied
Another Roger Walker-designed home is on the market for sale at 52 Amapur Drive, in Khandallah. Photo / Supplied
Walker is a contemporary of another norm-shattering Wellington architect, the late Sir Ian Athfield. Several Walker designs have hit the market in recent years, including his own home.
He has championed joy in the built environment, telling the Institute of Architects: “There should be a real, visceral pleasure in looking at buildings. Architecture shouldn’t bring just comfort, but actual joy.”
Another of his 70s gems, at 52 Amapur Drive, in Khandallah, is also up for grabs. The three-bedroom quirky home has an RV $1m, although the listing agents highlighted that this was not indicative of market value.
Bailey-Rotman is also selling a very different house in Eastbourne, in Lower Hutt.
Another architectural wonder, 709 Marine Drive, in Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, is Art Deco in style. Photo / Supplied
This one is Art Deco in style with a Mediterranean vibe and overlooks the sea. It has been modernised in places but still retains much of the original footprint. “It's like living in an apartment," Bailey-Rotman said. "It's amazing. There's quite a lot of land with it, and you've got the pool and a spa - a pretty incredible lifestyle.”
The bottom level is a fully contained flat which the owners have used as an AirBnB, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
“Even a first home where you live in the main part and use downstairs as Airbnb or have a permanent tenant to help fund your mortgage and allow you to get a better property than you would if you didn't have that income stream,” Bailey-Rotman said.
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