The prospect of having Grey Lynn Park as practically an extension of their own garden reached via a gate at the end of the section, was a significant attraction when a blended family was house hunting in the popular city fringe suburb, back in 2019.
The traditional Edwardian-era villa had been loved by a succession of owners over the decades and was ripe for a makeover, in need of repainting the interior and updating inside. The buyers, who work in the area of architecture, were the right people for the job.
“We loved the high ceilings and the polished floors,” says the owner.
Because she and her husband had children coming and going, they put in a flat downstairs with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and an eat-in kitchen, along with a large living room. This was to allow separation and independence for the older offspring.
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Upstairs, a tired kitchen was brought right up to date with contemporary joinery, carefully chosen to align with the home’s many original character features.
The owners took a similar approach with the bathrooms, and the result of their labours is a pleasant fusion of old and new.
“We’ve kept the feel of the villa and done everything very sympathetically,” she says.
The main bedroom enjoys a lovely bay window while the other two bedrooms on this level are generous and very sunny.
Grey Lynn Park, accessed through a gate at the bottom of the garden, is practically an extension of the home’s backyard. Photo / Supplied
The 192sqm residence has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living areas and off-street parking, on a 472sqm section. Photo / Supplied
Skylights have been added to enhance the light and the current owners also developed decks, upstairs and down for outdoor relaxation and entertaining, as well as carrying out landscaping work, taming what had previously been a somewhat overgrown backyard.
“We’ve really appreciated the peace and privacy here,” says the owner.
“And there’s always somewhere to curl up in the sun with a good book, thanks to having the two living areas.”
Because this is such a versatile home the possibilities in terms of layout and use are many, and at least one of the bedrooms could alternatively be used as a home office.
The tired kitchen upstairs was replaced with a contemporary one. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Cristina Casares says the property is ready for a new family to move in and enjoy the leafy surroundings in a quiet street. Photo / Supplied
Freshly painted now, with a stylish and distinctive pink front door, the property has plenty of street appeal.
With the current owners moving on in order to be closer to their children’s schools, agent Cristina Casares says that the property is ready for a new family to move in and enjoy the leafy surroundings in a quiet street – just 10 minutes’ walk from vibrant Ponsonby Road, where the shops, cafes and restaurants are always buzzing.
“I reckon this property’s really beautiful, facing the park, and I love what they’ve done with the flat downstairs, which has amazing concrete floors. The huge decks on both levels are great too,” says Cristina.
The property is zoned for Grey Lynn School, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College and AGGS and the current owners’ favourite cafes are Honey Bones in Richmond Road, and Mother in Great North Road.
- 63 Dryden Street in Grey Lynn, Auckland, goes to auction on May 27
