It was owner Richard’s mother who first set eyes on the historic Ellerslie villa that was to become the much-loved family home of Richard, his late wife Jo, and their two daughters for the next 30 years or so.
“It was completely run-down with just one end of the front roofline being visible from the road and an old, rusty car was concealed in the falling down garage, amongst the garden overgrowth,” says Jo’s sister Lisa.
She says the family believes it was constructed in 1900 – as one of the earliest farmhouses in the district, situated on what was then called Panmure Road.
They have a 1906 photo by photographer Henry Winkelmann, showing various structures on the site, as well as the weatherboard Catholic Church next door, which was built around 1904. The area remained mainly pastoral until Ellerslie’s residential construction boom of the 1920s and 30s saw affordable bungalows popping up around the gracious early villas.
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Lisa says they also learned that jockeys from nearby Ellerslie Racecourse used an old shed in the garden as accommodation.
Having fallen in love with the home, and conscious of its potential, the couple made inquiries and ended up locating the owner in Wellington. The property had been rented out, then remained unoccupied for years, so Richard and Jo filled seven super-size skips with rubbish.
When they bought the house, part of the front verandah had been enclosed to create an additional bedroom. This was deconstructed and the door that entered this verandah bedroom became the home’s front door.
The family lived in the home in its fairly basic state for a number of years, getting to know it well before commencing renovations in 2012.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Alan Vessey: “They’ve done a really lovely renovation on it. Behind the original facade absolutely everything is modern and new.” Photo / Supplied
A sleepout, complete with bathroom, at the rear of the garage, is perfect for a teenager, while the level backyard is a perfect canvas for garden lovers. Photo / Supplied
Wraparound decking was added at the front of the property and upon entering there are two generous bedrooms at each side of the central hallway. One has an ensuite while the others use the family bathroom.
There’s a separate formal lounge at the left and at the rear, Richard and Jo opened the house right up with a bright and airy open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with bifold doors to a sunny patio.
A sleepout, complete with bathroom, at the rear of the garage, is perfect for a teenager, while the level backyard is a perfect canvas for garden lovers. Adding some palm trees and other subtropical plantings would create a truly private, peaceful oasis.
“Jo and Richard were very happy in their home and had many wonderful times there over the years. They loved how central they were without being in the thick of the city,” Lisa says.
The vendors opened the house right up with a bright and airy open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with bifold doors to a sunny patio. Photo / Supplied
Upon entering, there are two generous bedrooms at each side of the central hallway. Photo / Supplied
Agent Alan Vessey, of Barfoot & Thompson, believes that a true family home like this one is a rare find.
“They’ve done a really lovely renovation on it. Behind the original facade absolutely everything is modern and new,” he adds.
Alan says that the location is a popular one because of its convenient access to good schools, public transport and the motorway, and he’s sure the new owner will be very pleased with their purchase.
50 Main Highway in Ellerslie, Auckland, goes to auction on June 24.
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