Buying an art deco home wasn’t on Didee and Craig’s radar 27 years ago, until this Epsom property’s stellar attributes made it eclipse everywhere else they’d considered.
Elevated high on the hillside near Cornwall Park, it revelled in privacy and a magnificently wide uninterrupted view, with double grammar zoning and an architectural upgrade already completed.
Didee says: “Being elevated on 1151sqm, there’s an incredible sense of privacy and spaciousness. You never feel hemmed in and the view stretches around more than 180 degrees.
“It’s a beautiful statement house that’s been modernised but retains that art deco feeling. It feels like it’s got soul and great vibes while being pretty effortless to live in. It’s suited us from when our two children were babies right through to adulthood, and they still don’t want us to sell it now they’re both living overseas.”
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Their curving private driveway off the top of the no-exit avenue ensures the home isn’t visible from the road. (The shrink-wrapped mass well behind it, discernible in real estate drones photo, is merely a big heritage home wrapped for renovation.)
They love Cornwall Park. You can walk to it in under five minutes and to Greenwoods Corner in under 10, with the airport 15 minutes’ drive away.
The 245sqm, 1930s two-storey concrete home bears the name Hilcrest. About a decade before the couple moved here it had undergone a substantial architectural renovation and extension, which included further development of its lower floor.
Their own significant improvements include installing a Morgan Cronin kitchen, central heating, renovating the main bathroom and evolving the landscaping.
Didee, one of the homeowners, says: “It’s a beautiful statement house that’s been modernised but retains that art deco feeling.” Photo / Supplied
The 245sqm, 1930s two-storey concrete home bears the name Hilcrest. The shrink-wrapped mass behind it is merely a big heritage home wrapped for renovation. Photo / Supplied
The lay of the land means the front door is on the upper level, with the single internal-access garage and neighbouring carport below, where a back door also provides entry-exit. There’s additional open-air parking.
The sculptural wooden built-in bench-seat they commissioned for near the front door is noteworthy but newcomers are typically itching to take in the panoramic view from inside.
The north-westerly line-up of living and dining-entertainers’ kitchen, the broad front deck that flows out to, and the primary bedroom all exalt the jaw-dropping outlook. You can see around towards the south, around the west and Waitemata Harbour to Auckland’s cityscape. They appreciate the servery-style windows opening to the partially covered deck when enjoying long lunches with friends.
Look out from either end of it to appreciate near-level pieces of lawn inviting possible addition of a swimming pool: one harbouring raised vegetable gardens and the larger one where their children played.
Abundant windows and previously installed skylights illuminate the interior.
“We’ve had a lot of friends around and you can easily fit up to about 80 people.”
The living and dining-entertainers’ kitchen, which flow out to the broad front deck, exalt the jaw-dropping outlook. Photo / Supplied
The hillside home has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple living areas, garaging and off-street parking, and fabulous views. Photo / Supplied
Striking original deco features include curved walls, sliding timber-opaque glass internal doors able to close areas off, leadlight windows, a distinctive fireplace surround, lights and cornices.
“Because art deco is more streamlined than frillier architecture it feels pretty timeless, and we’ve found modern, mid-century and art deco furniture all work here.”
When their children were young they occupied the second bedroom, neighbouring the primary bedroom, and upstairs’ smaller bedroom, which is Craig’s work-from-home office nowadays. The beautifully renovated main bathroom and a powder room accompany these.
When older, the children moved to the two bedrooms downstairs, accompanying a second bathroom-laundry, second powder room and generous storage. Now it’s just the couple and their dachshund Pluto living here, they plan to downsize.
Agent Richard Thode says: “This double grammar-zoned property close to Cornwall Park enjoys unobstructed grandstand views sweeping around from the Manukau Harbour, past the Waitakere Ranges and Waitemata Harbour, and into Auckland City.”
- 7 Fern Avenue in Epsom, Auckland, is for sale by a set date, closing March 26
