Imagine the scene back in the 1800s when whaler and boatbuilder William Paine Brown built a settler’s house by the water in Russell.
He had water and fishing in front, fertile land behind and even a well from a deep bore hole.
Almost 150 years later, everything is still here at 6 Paine Brown Way in Russell, Far North, but the homestead has since been sympathetically extended and updated.
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The estate is a secluded 8973sqm with the homestead built on the water's edge to enjoy superb views. Photo / Supplied
It sits right on the water’s edge at Te Wahapu Inlet on a secluded 8973 square metres, flanked by mature pohutukawa on the waterfront and protected by many native trees. The expansive water views, sunrises and sunsets are superb.
“One of the great things about a settler’s house is the design, the materials and the sheer euro-class of the interior,” says Bayleys agent Irene Bremner, who is marketing the property.
“The current owners have been at 6 Paine Brown Way for nearly two decades and have really made the home one to be proud of and comfortable in.
The country-style kitchen has been beautifully renovated with tiled floors, colonial-style cupboards and marble counter tops. Photo / Supplied
“Old materials have been restored and refitted and new materials including insulation added.”
The iconic settler-style house is clad in white timber weatherboards with a corrugated iron roof and many finials. Inside it features elegant timber joinery, polished wooden floors, panelled ceilings and a serene, pastel colour palette throughout.
French doors and floor-to-ceiling windows ensure the rooms are sunny and light-filled.
French doors and floor-to-ceiling windows ensure the rooms are sunny and light-filled. Photo / Supplied
There are five spacious bedrooms, four modern bathrooms with vintage-style fittings, a lounge, a study and a separate, self-contained cottage for guests.
The big, country-style kitchen has been beautifully renovated with tiled floors, colonial-style cupboards, marble counter tops, a large island with butler’s sink, a walk-in pantry and modern appliances. Even in its original state, the property ticked all the important boxes for the current owners.
“We wanted a safe, friendly private expanse with lots of areas where you can still be secluded when there are lots of people around. And it had to be absolute waterfront.”
There are five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a lounge, study and a separate, self-contained cottage. Photo / Supplied
The family lived in Auckland and commuted for long weekends and getaways. The house quickly became a top-of-the-list must-do for family members to spend time there doing their favourite things.
The pretty, historic town of Russell is only a ten-minute drive, and offers a range of restaurants and cafes, exquisitely restored historic buildings and excellent galleries.
But staying in the inlet is certainly no hardship.
The expansive water views, sunrises and sunsets from 6 Paine Brown Way in Russell are fabulous. Photo / Supplied
“Someone can play cricket while others go fishing or jet ski, some read in the shade or relax in a sunny spot looking at the lovely native bush or the water.
“Dragging a net in front of the house can be a family event that will give you fish.”
They say the property has allowed them to enjoy the surrounding ecosystem. Their children learned to fish and kayak here and to plant seeds and watch them grow in the garden.
The homestead has been sympathetically renovated with old materials restored and refitted and new materials added. Photo / Supplied
They chopped the wood for the barbecue and the smoker.
“At night they watched the stars and listened to the native bush sounds. And the all-time favourite was listening to stories from their grandparents around the fire.”
6 Paine Brown Way in Russell, Far North, will be sold at auction on March 9.
