We all know the story of the worst house in the best street – aka, the ugly property duckling that became a swan.
Owner Roanne says that the gracious 1913 Edwardian villa she and her husband Mark bought in a quiet, no-exit Mount Eden street, 25 years ago, fits that description perfectly.
After the application of much love and effort, Roanne and Mark’s once falling-down property at 10 Kamahi Street is now a sensational blend of high-quality, old and new, which is very dear to many people’s hearts – and not just those of family members.
10 Kamahi Street in Mount Eden, Auckland, is now on the market for sale via a set date, closing September 29. With an RV of $2.75 million, the property last changed hands in 1997 for $387,000, according to OneRoof data.
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Lorraine Young of Bayleys, Remuera, is marketing the property with Catherine Latham.
She says it’s unusual to find such a pleasant, quiet pocket so close to the city, adding “people simply don’t know that it’s here.”
Young says that proximity to Mount Eden Village and Eden Quarter is another drawcard, and the property is zoned for Auckland Grammar, Mount Albert Grammar Kowhai Intermediate and Mount Eden Normal School.
The homeowner says she wanted the kitchen island to be a piece of furniture in its own right. Photo / Supplied
“Our grown-up children’s friends have been texting and telling us we mustn’t sell it,” Roanne laughs. “They all have very happy memories of spending time here.”
The façade is typically attractive with neatly trimmed hedging, intricate fretwork, and a floral-leadlight front door. To its right lies the master bedroom, which is very stylish and spacious, with an elegant ensuite and capacious walk-in wardrobe.
Three further bedrooms on either side of the hallway were occupied by Roanne and Mark’s children, who have all left home and the main bathroom is huge and handsome, with a double vanity.
“This is the original clawfoot bath, which we had re-enamelled, and we kept the brick chimney and built storage space into it,” says Roanne, who also had the period light-fitting restored.
Just before the door to the rear of the house, a new wing has been added to accommodate the laundry and opens to a quiet courtyard with a clothesline, tucked in behind the carport.
The spectacular extension, housing the kitchen, dining and family zone, added a huge amount of space when it was completed and although it’s an open-plan area, there is still a sense of separate rooms.
The cottage has been popular on Airbnb and is ideal for extended family or working from home. Photo / Supplied
10 Kamahi Street in Mt Eden has five bedrooms, including the cottage, three bathrooms and a single garage. Photo / Supplied
Thoughtful elements such as a battened ceiling help create a seamless link with the rest of the house.
“I wanted the kitchen island to be a piece of furniture in its own right,” says Roanne, who chose oak for the joinery.
While the house has central heating, a fireplace is the focus in the family room, which opens out to the extensive patio, with spa, outdoor pizza oven and barbecue.
Roanne says that they have cleared a great deal of volcanic rock over the years and raised gardens have been created, surrounding a large block of green lawn. Beyond this is a hidden secret, a stunning self-contained cottage with ensuite office and kitchenette. A black spiral staircase is undoubtedly its most spectacular feature and Roanne explains that it was manufactured in Manchester, England.
“We were there for Mark’s work, and we watched the staircase being constructed, then they packed and shipped it to us. We absolutely love it.”
The cottage has been popular on Airbnb and it’s ideal for extended family or working from home.
