Built around 1911, Puketaha – which means ‘house at the bottom of the hill’ lies indeed on a hillside, at the base of green and leafy One Tree Hill Domain, with dual entry from Golf and Ngaroma Roads.
No expense was spared at the time and this solid character home at 19 Golf Road in Epsom, Auckland features elements from the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements, most of which have been carefully honoured and preserved, despite various modernisation projects over the years.
Big, wide windows not only let in natural light but provide a pleasant view to the garden which has been lovingly tended. Photo / Supplied
Start your property search
Today’s home begins with a huge master bedroom to the left of the front entrance. It was originally a billiard room, but previous owners changed its designation, adding in a luxury ensuite and generous wardrobe.
Beyond this lies the family bathroom and separate laundry and next is a state-of-the-art designer kitchen which is only a few years old.
Surrounding it is a large open-plan dining and living area, which opens to the back deck and spa pool.
The outside pool is heated and the old single weatherboard garage was converted to a summer house with its own bathroom. Photo / Supplied
Two double bedrooms and one significantly bigger one, are also at the rear of the house, all opening to the sun-kissed terrace, which has heating and retractable sides for relaxing and entertaining all-year-round.
Meanwhile, another informal living room and a stately formal lounge make up the rest of the single level dwelling. Original wood panelling, intricate stained-glass windows, ornate period fireplaces (one of which has the name Puketaha carved into it) and cosy window seats all contribute to this remarkable property’s enormous appeal.
The current owner is from Europe and was living in Singapore when she first saw the house online five years ago, and instantly fell in love with it.
The state-of-the-art designer kitchen is only a few years old and is surrounded by a large open-plan dining and living area. Photo / Supplied
She doesn’t understand why kiwi homes are often so cold and has had all the windows double-glazed and installed radiator heating in every room.
An outside pool is also heated and when previous owners built a stand-alone double garage, some years ago, the single weatherboard garage that had previously stood on the site was converted to a summer house with a pull-down bed, making it ideal for teens or for guests.
It has its own bathroom and would also make an excellent home office or artist’s studio. “I use it as my Pilates studio,” says the owner.
Original wood panelling, intricate stained-glass windows and ornate period fireplaces all make this property appealing. Photo / Supplied
The 1839sqm section is level and has well-established trees (including a giant puriri) and lawns – with plenty of room for a game of cricket or for the dog to run around. The garden has been lovingly tended and includes carefully trimmed topiary, jasmine, magnolias, gardenias, lilies and hydrangeas.
Lorraine Young of Bayleys Remuera is delighted to be marketing the property, which she describes as “the most wonderful package”.
“The wide, sweeping driveway, details such as the crown mouldings, and the fact that it’s a single level, with so much space for a family, make this property very special indeed.”
19 Golf Road in Epsom, Auckland will be sold at auction on April 13.
