Cafe and restaurant owner Hugo Baird knows how to put together a business.
He also knows how to put together a tilt at the property market.
In May 2016, he teamed up with his friend Walt Petrie, an electrician, to buy this renovated villa at 32 Richmond Road in Grey Lynn.
At the time he owned Honey Bones cafe, also on Richmond Road, having earlier sold Crumb, the Grey Lynn corner cafe he established adjoining the villa that he owned.
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Since his move here, Hugo has established Lilian’s restaurant three doors down from Honey Bones and, more recently, Hotel Ponsonby at Three Lamps.
“You might as well do it while you are young,” he says.
During all of this busyness, Hugo and Walt have tenanted this house and also lived in it. Both experiences have proven this home’s suitability for numerous family dynamics.
A young family with two children lived here for three years. Then Hugo and Walt decided to move in themselves rather than rent elsewhere.
In the two years since, as many as four people have lived here - Hugo and his partner, plus Walt and a flatmate.
Three bedrooms, two bathrooms and open-plan living beside the deck have accommodated everyone with ease. All the hard renovation work had been done by an earlier owner, an architect, says Hugo.
The result captivated Hugo and Walt on their first viewing and it convinced Walt to stay in Auckland rather than buy elsewhere.
“It was that big open plan area out the back, the kitchen and the lounge in that L-shape,” says Hugo.
“It’s close to the deck and perfect for entertaining and we’ve done a fair bit of that.”
Edward Pack from Bayleys says, “The house has a high stud throughout and is totally one level. The proximity to Ponsonby Road I believe will be hugely appealing to buyers.”
This renovation has required no changes or updates, right down to the firewood beside the gas fireplace that were put there by the previous owners for decorative appeal.
The golden timber tones on the floors and in the cabinetry reflect the kauri timber which was popular among colonial house builders during the late 19th century.
The two bathrooms include a family-sized bathroom with its shower over the bath. The main bedroom with its bay window has an ensuite with a separate shower.
During last year’s Covid lockdown, Hugo and Walt turned their attention outdoors. They repainted the exterior of the Victorian villa with its ornate fretwork and rooftop finials.
They resurfaced the parking area and replaced the old picket fences with a new fence, getting to know their approving neighbours during the process.
Living and working in the same street just three blocks from Ponsonby Road has been the sweetener for both of these 30-year-old go-getters.
Now they’re agreed that it’s a good time for them to go their own ways.
Hugo and his partner are doing so by buying another renovated villa just a few streets away from here.
32 Richmond Road in Grey Lynn will be sold at auction on August 18.
