After spending many years living in the UK, this bush-clad Remuera property became the perfect Auckland sanctuary for its owners and their two children.
Covid lockdowns were spent searching for their ideal home and luckily their real estate agent, Matt Gibson from Ray White, knew exactly what they were after.
“It has been refurbished in a beautiful way, it’s so open and the light is amazing – it’s like you’re in a treehouse,” says one of the owners.
The 2352sqm, northeast-facing site is predominately made up of native bush, which creates a unique sense of privacy in this well-connected neighbourhood.
Start your property search
“You walk down the driveway and you are completely immersed in this quiet, serene, and peaceful place.”
While the expansive weatherboard residence had been extensively renovated to a high standard by its previous owners, a few more recent updates have elevated it to another level.
“We put in a turntable, which is a total game changer. Everyone thinks it’s the coolest thing ever – you basically drive down, spin around and back into the really big carport which easily takes two cars,” she says.
53 Kelvin Road in Remuera, Auckland, is back on the market and for sale by way of auction on June 26. The 259sqm five-bedroom, three-bathroom home has a 2021 CV of $3.95 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2020 for $3.425m.
The upper floor is where the main living, dining and cooking happens.
“We put in a turntable, which is a total game changer. Everyone thinks it’s the coolest thing ever ...,” says one of the homeowners.
With great separation and loads of space, the two-level floorplan works perfectly for family life and has been designed to take in the lush green outlook through large walls of glass.
“There’s no one looking in and because its northeast facing you have light all the time, except for when you can see the moon and the stars, which is pretty cool too. The birdlife is unbelievable – there are so many fantails, tuis and really fat wood pigeons.
“The previous owner had an interior designer do the palette for the entire place. Interiors are neutral and quite light – it’s all soft greys and whites throughout. Then we’ve got oak flooring and amazing thick pile carpet that’s so nice to walk on.”
The upper floor is where the main living, dining and cooking happens. When the family added a fifth bedroom downstairs, they built a membrane deck above, which has expanded the al fresco living options up top.
“Now two lots of doors go onto two separate decks. We can have a barbecue and dinner on the one off the kitchen and enjoy drinks and nibbles on the other. There’s also a heater out there, so we can stay out there later into the evenings.”
Children are also well catered for when it comes to entertaining.
“There’s a downstairs lounge for the kids and we’ve put a sliding door so you can close it off. They can game and watch movies down there while we can have people for dinner upstairs. Their two bedrooms also go off the lounge,” says one of the owners.
“The master bedroom is lush, with a massive bathroom and amazing wardrobe, which I am going to miss.”
The birdlife, viewed from the deck, is unbelievable with many fantails, tuis and fat wood pigeons.
The 259sqm five-bedroom, three-bathroom home has a 2021 CV of $3.95m.
The property has gated access to Meadowbank School, she says, “so it’s like you’ve got your own personal tennis courts and football field”.
Although the family is downsizing, they’re staying in their much-loved area.
“We’re so close to Meadowbank and all the shops and the supermarket there and also the Upland Road shops where our favourite restaurants are – Ginger and Haru – they’re perfect for Friday night dinners.”
Remuera Road is well-serviced with public transport and Ōrākei Bay Village, Ōrākei Basin and Waiatarua Reserve are all also close by.
Agent Matt Gibson says that it’s an honour and a privilege to be marketing such a beautiful property.
“The extensions and tweaks they’ve made to the property have enhanced it even further. It’s such a unique opportunity to be surrounded by bush – you’re in the middle of you own forest, it’s gorgeous.”
- 53 Kelvin Road in Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on June 26
