It’s always notable when a property stays as long as half a century in the possession of one family and this attractive character home in a leafy Remuera street is a fine example.
“In the late 1970s when our eldest son was just two, we were a young family living in Meadowbank and we felt that we would soon be needing something a bit bigger,” says the owner.
“This property wasn’t even officially on the market, but a friend let us know about it and when we saw it, we just knew it was the one, so we bought it.”
The owner says that she and her husband carefully kept the 1920s character bungalow well-maintained over the following decades – including embarking on a carefully-designed renovation and extension at the rear – creating a large, airy modern open-plan kitchen, dining and family room with smart built-in furniture.
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In hindsight, she’s pleased that they resisted the urge to paint over much of the original classic 1920s oak panelling in the magnificent hallway – so big it’s practically a room in its own right, as well as in the dining room, the formal lounge and the more intimate sitting room – noting that the resulting effect across the house is a pleasing blend of old and new.
“It’s a very cosy home too largely because the fireplaces are really efficient,” she says. “And the secret office is another lovely feature.”
She says that the dining room has seen its fair share of sparkling dinner parties while the patio is perfect for entertaining alfresco in summer.
The vendors have carefully maintained the 1920s character bungalow over the decades. Photo / Supplied
The property has a well-established and relatively easy-care garden, with hedges and topiaries, as well as bountiful fruit trees. Photo / Supplied
The master bedroom is extremely generous and three further bedrooms are also spacious while the bathrooms are cool and contemporary. With loads of convenient storage space adjacent, the ground level garage is another big asset to the property.
The owner says that the level back lawn was perfect for cricket with other kids from the neighbourhood.
“Our older boys always made the youngest one bowl, and he became very good at it.”
She says she will take away happy memories of the well-established and relatively easy-care garden, with its hedges and topiaries, as well as the bountiful fruit trees, which include lemons, limes, feijoas and grapefruit.
The vendors carried out a careful renovation and extension at the rear – creating a large, airy modern open-plan kitchen, dining and family room. Photo / Supplied
The original classic 1920s oak panelling in the magnificent hallway. Photo / Supplied
“Our sons are now in Waiheke Island, Queenstown and the Sunshine Coast so they have their own lives. They will miss their childhood home and we’ll be sad to leave the lovely friendly neighbourhood but it’s time for us to move on to our next life stage.”
Steve Koerber, from Bayleys, agrees that the lovely combination of original and modern features makes this property very special, while still providing redesign scope for new owners to explore.
“It’s in excellent school zones, including double grammar and Remuera Primary plus Remuera Intermediate and it’s really everything that you want a family home in Remuera to be.”
- 7 Lochiel Road in Remuera, Auckland, is for sale by auction on September 17
