This much-admired mid-century gem was designed by prominent architect Geoffrey Newman – best known for his commercial buildings – in the early 1970s, when villas and bungalows still dominated Remuera’s streets, and it has been carefully maintained by a succession of owners – including current owners, Dale and Simone, who bought the house in 2019 and love the clever layout and the use of native timbers.
“It’s not immediately clear how the house works when you see it from the street,” explains Simone.
“Essentially it’s like a series of pods that follow the contour of the land down the hill, looking out to Portland Road. Although the spaces aren’t enormous, it’s multi-level living and there’s a nice sense of being able to tuck yourself away somewhere!”
She says the couple had one of their two adult sons with them for the first pandemic lockdown and having the two living areas – one at each end was very useful.
Start your property search
89 Bell Road in Remuera, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on June 5. The 216sqm four-bedroom, two-bathroom home on a 556sqm section has a 2021 RV of $2.675 million. According to OneRoof data, the property last changed hands in 2019 for $2.05m.
During their time in residence Dale and Simone have refreshed many of the home’s surfaces, both indoors and out further enhancing its timeless appeal.
A light and airy feeling permeates the interior with high ceilings and tall windows through which the sun streams in.
A light and airy feeling permeates the interior with high ceilings and tall windows.
Classic 1970s touches such as concrete block walls and partitions along with built-in furniture add to the slick retro flavour.
A crisp, fresh white kitchen fits in perfectly with the style of the home while classic 1970s touches such as concrete block walls and partitions along with built-in furniture add to the slick retro flavour.
“This is such a lovely neighbourhood,” says Simone.
“There are wonderful walking tracks and Dale and I love to go down to the beach at Kohimarama to sit with a coffee and look out to Rangitoto.”
She says even though the property is so close to the city its perfectly landscaped garden, complete with well-established trees acts as a magnet to many types of bird life: “Wood pigeons, tui and fantails, I sometimes have to pinch myself!”
Dale and Simone are moving to Christchurch for Dale’s job and having become such fans of the era, they will be looking for a home of a similar age down there.
The 216sqm four-bedroom, two-bathroom home sits on a 556sqm section and has a $2.675m RV.
A crisp, fresh white kitchen fits in perfectly with the style of the home.
“We’ve heard that there are some very good ones,” Simone says.
Steve Koerber, from Ray White Remuera, sold the house to Dale and Simone and expects it to be every bit as popular with buyers this time around, especially as it is located close to many of Auckland’s top schools and just a short distance away from Parnell, Newmarket and Remuera.
“It enjoys great views across to Victoria Avenue and down to Shore Road,” he says.
“And the outdoor living is really nice with grass and a deck at the rear, a central courtyard that’s incredibly sheltered – in fact I doubt it ever gets any wind – and then there’s another courtyard at the front.”
He says as an added bonus for families with young children, there’s a pleasant little playground nearby.
- 89 Bell Road, in Remuera, goes to auction on June 5
