Future potential as varied as its diverse past is offered by this stately Ponsonby Road villa with city views, in a high-profile street-front position towards the “Three Lamps” end of the road.
The 351sqm villa on 759sqm opposite Tole Street has Business – Town Centre Zoning, providing potential for it to be residential, retail, commercial or healthcare development (subject to council approval).
Former Ray White Ponsonby owner Bryce Earwaker says: “I bought it back in the 90s thinking of moving the business into it as we didn’t have a long lease.
“That lease got extended so we didn’t need to move but I kept this because I liked it and it was always so easy to lease to residential or commercial tenants.”
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The circa 1910 residence was renovated by a couple before Bryce’s purchase, and by him later. It held Dr Holden’s surgery in the early 1900s and a maternity home in the 1920s and 30s. Bryce lived here in the past plus leased it to tenants including a travel agency, furniture business and the current medical business, whose lease comes up for renewal in June 2027.
He says: “Concept drawings are available for a five-level mixed-use development I started exploring pre-Covid, including parking, retail and commercial spaces and accommodation, with a penthouse apartment.”
By the time Covid lockdowns and subsequent long delays in sourcing materials settled down a couple of years later he’d moved his focus from the development to other things.
He says Ponsonby was an early subdivision, where builders often bought several neighbouring sections, chose villa styles and sizes from a catalogue and built them from mostly pre-cut components delivered on-site.
When he bought, the distinctively spired St John’s Church next door was a Samoan Methodist parish operating for many years before the parish relocated, ceasing to be a church when sold and developed. “Thursday nights were choir practice when you heard the most amazing, ethereal singing.”
The 351sqm villa on 759sqm opposite Tole Street has Business – Town Centre Zoning, providing potential for it to be residential, retail, commercial or healthcare development (subject to council approval). Photo / Supplied
The residence has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, multiple living areas, garaging and off-street parking, and city views. Photo / Supplied
“Thursday nights were choir practice when you heard the most amazing, ethereal singing,” says the owner when St John’s Church next door was a Samoan Methodist parish. Photo / Supplied
He found this location incredibly convenient, with the buzz of Ponsonby Road on his doorstep, often ignoring his car over weekends. He’d construct a temporary grandstand to provide co-workers and friends a stellar view of the Hero Parade.
Not everyone realises the two-storey home has a good-sized courtyard-garden, separate double garage and a cute one-bedroom free-standing studio cottage behind it.
Bryce predicts fabulous city views from upstairs will never be built out as the five townhouses behind have five different owners.
A neatly tended front garden featuring two towering Washingtonia palms introduces the pretty kauri villa, with a verandah stretching around much of it, predominantly covered.
“I love the soaring high ceilings and other character features such as original wood floors and battened ceilings.”
The charming cottage-studio at the back has one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchen. Photo / Supplied
Ray White agent Elaine Ferguson says: “It’s rare to find a street-front Ponsonby villa near Three Lamps, with a decent amount of land, city views and diverse potential.” Photo / Supplied
Its centrally-heated interior currently operates as four offices, two sitting rooms, a large workspace, kitchen, two bathrooms, two powder rooms and a wet bar. It could alternatively be a five-bedroom home with rear kitchen-living-dining.
The charming cottage studio behind has one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchen. The rear double garage is currently used for storage and four additional cars can park off-street in the courtyard.
Bryce says he still loves this character property in a high-profile position but is selling because of a desire to simplify life.
Ray White agent Elaine Ferguson says: “It’s rare to find a street-front Ponsonby villa near Three Lamps, with a decent amount of land, city views and diverse potential. It’s attracting interest from home owners, businesses and investors.”
231 Ponsonby Road in Ponsonby, Auckland, is for sale, deadline closing June 9.
- Sponsored by Ray White
