After their first Auckland property purchase ended up being a bit of a misfire, Anna and Leo Lai went on to have this premium home built, housing up to three generations of their family for nearly 20 years.
The ex-Hong Kong couple first settled with their then 15-year-old and five-year-old daughters in a Lynfield home close to friends, which they had bought whilst holidaying here.
Anna says: “But as we were both working in town and our girls went to Dio we found we spent too much time travelling back and forth so only lived there a year.”
Next they enjoyed the centrality of a 1920s villa off Gillies Ave for several years but eventually longed for spaciousness and more luxurious, modern construction.
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The successful jewellery retailers spent two years visiting open homes every weekend, without finding anywhere all family members liked. They bought a double grammar school-zoned Market Road property with 1034sqm of land and direct rear access to Mount Saint John; having its modestly sized villa re-sited.
Anna says: “That was around the leaky building problems were common. We wanted to build using very high quality materials that were low maintenance, suiting our busy lifestyle.”
Their resulting architecturally-designed 496sqm home, completed around 2004, housed three generations including three grandchildren for some time.
93 Market Road in Epsom, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on September 20. The six-bedroom, four-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $4.5 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2002 for $938,666.
The architecturally-designed 496sqm home was completed around 2004 and has housed three generations. Photo / Supplied
The home sits on 1034sqm of land which has direct rear access to Mount Saint John. Photo / Supplied
Ray White agent Steve Williams, who is marketing the property with colleague Caroline Yau, says: “This home is unusual in that it can be a true intergenerational home. It’s nearly 500 square metre floorplan is as large as some sections and can comfortably accommodate three generations.”
Anna says: “The ground floor is clad in Hinuera stone, which was too heavy to use upstairs, so we used low-maintenance Alucobond – unusual then but used much more commonly nowadays.”
During the build Anna juggled long work hours with daily site visits and driving to suppliers near and far to evaluate first-hand products they’d use. The now retired businesswoman and businessman imported very high quality dark green wool carpet from Australia and hand-picked the marble showcased in their kitchen.
Anna says: “We wanted the very best.” She recalls selecting Villeroy & Bosh bathroom ware, including basins then costing $2800 each.
The gated property has a driveway entrance and exit. “This location is so central – I go all over the place to play mahjong and it’s always easy from here.”
A formal dining room with chandelier and double-height void prefaces the svelte entertainers’ kitchen with walk-in pantry and family room opening to a sunny side courtyard. Photo / Supplied
There are several living spaces within the home, which has two staircases, and once hosted 150 people for a wedding celebration. Photo / Supplied
One of their daughters came up with the idea for the entrance layout, where two single carports prefacing two single internal-access garages flank the front door. The lobby introduces formal dining opposite a powder room, storage and the first of two staircases in a home warmed by zoned water-driven underfloor heating.
A formal dining room with chandelier and double-height void prefaces the svelte entertainers’ kitchen with walk-in pantry and family room opening to a sunny side courtyard. Downstairs’ only bedroom, near a media room, neighbours a laundry-bathroom, suiting guests. Upstairs the ensuited front master suite has dual walk-in wardrobes, a nursery or office and its own sitting area.
Across a hallway bridge, two more bedrooms, two more bathrooms, a powder room, laundry nook and storage accompany a fifth living area or sixth bedroom opening to a rear courtyard, terraced grounds and stairs to the mountain.
“With so much space, our grandchildren’s favourite game here was hide-and-seek.”
One daughter’s wedding was celebrated by 150 guests here. Daughters and their families are now in their own properties so the Lais are downsizing.
