The current owner of this unusually generous Freemans Bay home and section says that she first saw her dream property in the pages of Herald Homes around five years ago.
Close to Ponsonby Road, that dream property at 5 Collingwood Street in Freemans Bay, Auckland, last changed hands in 2017 for $4.15 million, according to OneRoof data. It has a current RV of $5.9m and is on the market to be sold via tender, closing August 11.
Listing agent Martin Dobson, of Kellands Real Estate, says that the property’s standout features include the gated off-street parking for four vehicles and the internal-access double garage.
“We call this Freemans Bay ‘gold’ because it’s so unusual for homes around here.” The property is also zoned for Freemans Bay Primary and Ponsonby Intermediate, which, Dobson said, is another big drawcard.
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The current owner recalls: “I’d been wanting a change of scene, and I immediately knew this was the house for me. I loved that it was such a sunny spot and the views of the harbour, the city, Sky Tower and the cycle path are especially fantastic at night.”
She says the elevated, north-east facing house was so well-maintained and well-presented she hasn’t really needed to do anything to it during her time in residence.
“I painted a couple of rooms and that was about it.”
The current owner says the views of the harbour, the city, Sky Tower and the cycle path are fantastic, especially at night. Photo / Supplied
Through a connection to a former owner, she was able to ascertain that the house had originally been a modest one – on a small section, which is typical for the area.
“What happened was that the owner before last was able to persuade council to sell him a little reserve, which was in front of the property, and that’s why it’s such a generous (925sqm) site now.”
Following that, she says that the next owners did major renovations and extended the house significantly. It features a spacious kitchen dining and living area on the ground floor that is heated by a wood-burning fireplace in winter and is perfect for general family life and entertaining.
The kitchen is bright and well-appointed, and the décor throughout is light and airy. This part of the house opens to extensive wraparound decking and there is a veranda outside the study.
5 Collingwood Street has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a double garage and gated off-street parking. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen on the ground floor is bright and well-appointed, and the décor throughout is light and airy. Photo / Supplied
There are also two bedrooms on the ground floor, along with a study, laundry and powder room. Two further bedrooms with tall gabled ceilings are situated upstairs – the master has an ensuite, and there is a fully tiled family bathroom plus a living room with its own deck. The garden is largely easy-care with plenty of lawn for children and pets and many well-established trees stand proud.
It goes without saying that much of Freemans Bay’s appeal lies in its proximity to Ponsonby Road and this owner says that’s definitely been a highlight for her.
“I like to go to Ponsonby Road Bistro and Ponsonby Central – and to Zambesi – they’re all still going strong.”
The owner has decided that it’s time to downsize but adds that it’s with a very heavy heart. “It will be a hard place to leave because it’s looking particularly beautiful right now. It’s only since I put it on the market that I’ve realised how attached I’ve become. It’s just a really lovely home to be in.”
