“That’s a funny way to downsize” was a comment David and Anne often heard from friends after they bought this Arney Road home in 2012.
It’s true, this elegant 301sqm Sargisson-designed home on 915sqm grounds is no smaller than the 1930s Remuera bungalow they’d previously raised their family in for 25 years.
David says: “What we were really after was to simplify life. This is a more modern home, without a pool or so much maintenance, which is much easier to lock-up-and-leave when we want to go away.”
His wife Anne says: “And it’s so private here. You can pack up your car and head away and no-one would even know.”
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After 11 years at 115C Arney Road in Remuera, Auckland, David and Anne are ready to actually downsize. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property is on the market for sale by auction on December 6. It has a 2021 RV of $5.4 million and, according to OneRoof data, the property last changed hands in 2012 for $2.35m.
Harcourts listing agent Julie Davies, who is marketing the property with Grahame Carey, says: “This is a wonderful, high-end family home with great indoor-outdoor flow, in a prestigious double grammar-zoned location close to private schools. The renovations the current owners have made to it are simply beautiful.”
David and Anne understand their double grammar-zoned, northern slopes home sits on the larger portion of three created from an estate which historically ran between Arney Road and Bell Road.
David says: “Once you come down our driveway it’s relaxing and serene; you don’t hear traffic noise or notice neighbours.”
The homeowners hired a skilled cabinetmaker who added extra cabinetry and helped craft their bespoke double-oven kitchen. Photo / Supplied
The elegant 301sqm Sargisson-designed home sits on a 915sqm section. Photo / Supplied
They and their Chorkie Boston can access the motorway, heading for their Lake Rotoiti holiday home, in five minutes. It takes David not much longer to walk to Shore Road Café, his favourite place for informal meetings now he’s semi-retired.
The gated driveway culminates in a turning bay and off-street parking. They added loft storage in the separate double garage, built in keeping with the style of the north-facing 2001 home. It evokes descriptors such as elegant, spacious and timeless.
A front path flanked by low clipped hedging and bluestone entry pillars emphasise the residence’s presence. It is predominantly dark stained cedar, teamed with plaster (over a cavity) and a tile roof. From the outset the couple appreciated the home’s landscaping, layout and flow, including easy indoor-outdoor flow.
David says: “The interior was somewhat tired when we purchased, but we could see the potential.”
At that time their daughter worked for Tash McIntosh of Mcintosh Moorman Design. They were delighted with their substantial interior renovation, which included re-carpeting, re-painting, installing engineered English oak flooring and lots of shutters, and much more. They’ve since taken Tash’s advice at their holiday home.
There are four bedrooms, two bathrooms, garaging for two vehicles and multiple living spaces. Photo / Supplied
One of the homeowner says: “This is a more modern home, without a pool or so much maintenance, which is much easier to lock-up-and-leave when we want to go away.” Photo / Supplied
A skilled cabinetmaker who installed additional built-in cabinetry also helped craft their bespoke double-oven kitchen.
Anne says it’s a pleasure to cook in with its touch-to-open cabinetry, abundant bench space and storage. The kitchen-dining-family room flows out to a pergola-topped deck which can have a shade sail unfurled.
Anne loves the ambiance of the spacious living room. This flows out to a patio, alongside level lawn which earlier this year hosted a marquee for their elder son’s engagement party.
An office, laundry, powder room and storage space complete this level, which has two gas fireplaces complementing the home’s ducted heating and air-conditioning.
Upstairs enjoys north-facing views of the harbour around North Head and Rangitoto. Its four bedrooms accompanying the family bathroom include the ensuited master with walk-in wardrobe and one currently utilised as David’s study.
The couple hire someone to clip the hedging, making the balance of the grounds fairly low maintenance for them.
- 115C Arney Road in Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on December 6
