When searching for an ideal family home, Vicky got so emotionally involved with this property in the lead-up to its sale, her husband Earl diplomatically suggested it might be best if she didn’t attend its auction.
Vicky says: “It seemed like the perfect family sanctuary for us. We’d put in an offer but the owners decided to take it to auction, so I was nervous. But we got it and we’ve been here more than 20 years so it worked out perfectly.”
Back then Vicky, who works for a cancer not-for-profit charity, and her barrister husband Earl lived in Grey Lynn with two youngsters and wanted something larger.
Vicky says: “You can’t see the house from the street except maybe a glimpse of its roof. When I first walked down the driveway, I thought ‘oh my god, this is perfect’. It’s a property which has worked so well for our three children at all ages.”
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34 Edgars Road in Westmere, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on November 22. The five-bedroom, three-bathroom modernised bungalow-style house and land have a 2021 RV of $5.5 million and, according to OneRoof data, the property last changed hands in 2002 for $1.205m.
Its 953sqm grounds are beautifully private while the 271sqm two-level home enjoys three living areas. Previous owners had architecturally renovated and extended the original bungalow into this spacious abode, maximising its north-westerly aspect and upper level views over Cox’s Bay Reserve to the bay and harbour.
The 271sqm two-level home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, garaging for two vehicles and enjoys three living areas. Photo / Supplied
One of the homeowners likes to walk across Cox’s Bay Reserve to paddleboard in the sea. Photo / Supplied
It’s cleverly placed on its section; the end of its driveway immediately presenting an off-street parking forecourt, internal-access double garage and the front of the house. This leaves space for the opposite side of the home to flow out onto large decks in sizeable grounds, where they installed a salt-water swimming pool and spa pool.
Vicky says: “It’s great for entertaining and can swallow up 100 people for a party. The kids grew up playing soccer and cricket, with our daughter filming our two somewhat biddable boys in movies shot in the garden, often Harry Potter-themed.”
The couple haven’t changed the home’s footprint but took advice from architect Andrew Meiring when they made modifications including adding large decks, a newly configured kitchen and renovating bathrooms. Rimu floors grace the living room-dining area and the kitchen-lounge, both of which flow out to the decks.
The kitchen-lounge’s projection helps define two outdoor living areas. One with an outdoor fireplace admires the grounds’ focal pohutukawa tree while the other accommodates a large table for alfresco dining under an adjustable LouvreTech roof.
The upstairs’ family room which projects out and opens to a balcony used to be the children’s domain. Photo / Supplied
The newly configured kitchen. Photo / Supplied
The western wing feeding off the foyer houses three bedrooms opening to outdoors, two bathrooms and a laundry. Upstairs’ family room which projects out and opens to a balcony used to be the children’s domain.
These days this room with glass on three sides is Vicky’s favourite, where she and Earl will have a drink listening to birdsong, soaking up the view and watching the sun go down. Completing this level are the ensuited main bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe accessing attic storage space, plus the generous fifth bedroom.
Having Cox’s Bay Reserve’s sporting facilities on their doorstep suited their sports-enthusiast children. Vicky walks across it to paddleboard in the sea. They’ve enjoyed being able to walk to their local Farro and West Lynn and Westmere’s attractions.
Now their children are adults, the couple will downsize, hoping a new family will adore this property.
Bayleys agent Christina Casares, who is marketing 34 Edgars Road, says: “You can have a holiday at home in this really cool family home with lots of entertaining options, with multiple living areas inside, a swimming pool, spa, outdoor areas with a fireplace, decks and spacious grounds.”
- 34 Edgars Road in Westmere, Auckland, goes to auction on November 22
