- Alison Stanes’ A-frame house in Remuera is for sale after 50 years, buyers told to ignore the $3.4m RV.
- The 317sqm home, built in the 1970s, features a swimming pool and lush gardens on 895sqm of land.
- Ray White agent Linh Yee says the property appeals to renovators and developers, with an auction on March 3.
It’s on the market for sale for the first time in more than 50 years, and the owner is advising buyers to ignore the RV.
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Alison Stanes, a leading figure in Auckland conservation and a recipient of the King’s Service Medal, built the now-four-bedroom A-frame house at 42B Combes Road, in Remuera, at the start of her married life in the early 1970s.
Stanes and her former husband, Peter, used pre-cut timber from a Dunedin-based home designer. “In 1976, we moved in with four rooms finished. Little did I know at that point that I would live in this home for 50 years,” she told OneRoof.
The house and granny flat could appeal to renovators or developers. Photo / Supplied
The large deck was always the gathering place for family parties. Photo / Supplied
As Stanes’ family grew in size, so too did the house. Baby number two slept in the laundry until the first extension was completed, which was handy for washing nappies, Alison said. “We slept in the unfinished lounge. I call it a bespoke home with function in mind.”
A garage, games room and other flexible spaces were added, with the home eventually growing to 317sqm. The addition of the swimming pool led to an interesting historical discovery. Underneath the soil were the remains of the old cowshed, from when Remuera was largely farmland.
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“The excavation discovered slabs of concrete with shells and stones. Our neighbour told us there’d been a cowshed on that site,” Stanes.
Over its 50 years, the double Grammar zoned-house has witnessed many life events, she said. “This home has seen births, graduations, weddings, and the passing of a grandparent. It has a large deck and was always the gathering place for large family parties.”
She said it was time for a new family to enjoy the home, although she is aware that the land may be more of an attraction than the house. “I’d be disappointed for a developer to pull it down,” she said. “We should be building houses that last 300 years, not 50. From a conservation point of view, it’d be such a waste to see it go into landfill.”
Over the years, the house grew to over 300sqm with the addition of a garage, games room and other flexible spaces. Photo / Supplied
The master bedroom in the A-frame has views stretching to Sky Tower. Photo / Supplied
Ray White agent Linh Yee, who is taking the house to auction on March 3, said it would appeal to renovators and developers. “You’re looking for someone who wants a specific sort of style, or someone who wants to add their own flair. It’s not necessarily for the wrecking ball.”
Yee’s listing instructs buyers to ignore the $3.4m RV, with the agent telling OneRoof her client was “very open to offers”.
The home, which has views of the Sky Tower, sits on 895sqm of freehold land with dual access from Combes Road and Lingarth Street. “Outdoors is where this property truly shines. Lush, established gardens surround the home, dotted with mature persimmon, lemon, and avocado trees, creating a private oasis,” Yee said in her listing. “Spend long summer days by the gorgeous swimming pool, unwind in the spa, then rinse off in the outdoor shower and change in the dedicated poolside room – a lifestyle few homes can offer.”
- 42B Combes Road, in Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on March 3
