The owners of this Epsom property came for the double grammar zone but stayed for the community-focused neighbourhood and spacious, character-filled family home.
“It’s on a full section, has a swimming pool and is on an amazing street – if you were ticking boxes, it ticks them all,” one of them shares.
They have lived here for nine years now and arrived when their two now university-aged children were in their tweens.
“When we moved our youngest was finishing primary school, so he went to intermediate at ANI (Auckland Normal Intermediate) it was so handy just down the road and a really good school.”
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As well as the schooling options, the circa 1929 home’s classic heritage charm instantly drew them in, with the way it unfolds to offer very generous, well-separated spaces for family living.
“It’s one of those houses where you see it on the street and just fall in love, it’s beautiful. You then realise there’s so much more to it,” she says.
While they coveted the Arts & Crafts detailing, like the leadlights and window seats, it was the practicality of the three-level floor plan that worked so well.
“The kids were initially upstairs and had their own bathroom and as our daughter got older, she was able to go downstairs and have her own space as well. It means that we live over all three areas of the house and it’s been able to grow and adapt with us.”
A modern, open-plan kitchen with built-in bar and three living areas mean that entertaining here has also been a pleasure, particularly on the rear outdoor living space.
The owner says the neighbourhood is particularly special for the four-legged family members. Photo / Supplied
The home’s classic heritage charm and its school zone were what attracted the owners to buy it nine years ago. Photo / Supplied
“We love that area so we put a louvre over it and heating out there as well, so we can use it all year round. There’s been a lot of good events and parties out on that back deck, and lots of memories made.”
Parking-wise, the tandem garage is complemented with an adjacent carport and there’s plenty of extra space on the flat driveway. “That driveway has had a basketball hoop and a ping pong table put out there, it’s been a great space for the kids to play too.”
The 852sqm site is protected by its single house zone and incorporates a solar heated, inground swimming pool and great backyard that’s been fully fenced for dogs.
The owner says that while it’s an amazing neighbourhood in general, it’s particularly special for those with four-legged family members.
“We’ve got Morvern Reserve across the road and then we’ve got Watling Park down the road as well. At five o’clock every evening, if you take the dog for a walk down to Watling Reserve there’s a group of five to 10 people – different all the time – who come together every afternoon and the dogs have a play.
The circa 1929 Arts & Crafts home has a 212sqm floor plan on a 852sqm section and has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple living areas, garaging and off-street parking, and a swimming pool. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Lorraine Young: “I sold a couple of homes on Morvern Road off-market and both sets of vendors were quite sad to go ... it’s a strong community.” Photo / Supplied
“It’s that kind of neighbourhood and the community connection is really strong. There’s an annual residents get-together across at the reserve. It’s a really nice, supportive, welcoming street and don’t see that very often anymore.”
Lorraine Young, from Bayleys, says this neighbourhood is incredibly tightly held.
“I don’t think there’s been a property on that side of Morvern Road that’s come on the market in a long, long time. There are so many established families that have been there for decades.
“Those streets between Watling Street and Balmoral Road are beautifully elevated and very accessible. It’s such a pretty neighbourhood and I can see why when people buy into those streets they stay. There’s very little turnover.
“I sold a couple of homes on Morvern Road off-market and both sets of vendors were quite sad to go – they’ve got such deep roots in the area and it’s a strong community,” Lorraine says.
- 23 Morvern Road in Epsom, Auckland, goes to auction on August 12
