Six years ago South Island-based parents bought this picturesque renovated villa, the sort of place many families aspire to, to be their son’s home base early in his career.
The father, Tony, says: “We bought this place in 2019 when our eldest son Tom was moving to Auckland to start work after studying. That was because we believe that people often feel most content when they’re living in a nice environment.
“We looked all over Auckland and found this already renovated, north-facing property with two living rooms at the back opening out to the sun, five bedrooms, good bathrooms and a generous backyard with swimming pool.
“Tom was excited and grateful to have somewhere so nice to live, sharing the villa with flatmates. Its spacious three-level layout meant they could all enjoy their own space when they wanted to.”
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The 233sqm villa sits well forward on its 526sqm grounds, amplifying the size of the backyard where predominantly easy-care subtropical planting and level lawn accompany the pool.
Tony’s work often takes him to Auckland so he’s familiar with its suburbs and Mt Eden appealed.
“It’s easy to get into the CBD from this quiet street, which has a friendly community atmosphere.” You can cycle into town, both Morningside and Kingsland train stations are about 15 minutes’ walk away and bustling Dominion Road is a mere stroll away.
“Tom could walk to a game at Eden Park or enjoy a Sunday run to the summit of Mount Eden and back.” It’s a short Uber drive to Ponsonby or K Rd’s nightlife and the address’ school zoning includes MAGS, Mt Eden Normal Primary and Kowhai Intermediate.
The open-plan living-dining-entertainers’ kitchen. Photo / Supplied
The 233sqm homes sits well forward on its 526sqm grounds, amplifying the size of the backyard with its easy-care subtropical planting, level lawn and pool. Photo / Supplied
There’s street appeal galore with a picket fence and bullnose front veranda. Pleasingly, whoever previously added the top level did so in a manner that is barely noticeable from the street. A driveway gate secures two car off-street parking and a lock-up storage shed.
Tony and his wife Kaye’s improvements included replacing about 70% of the circa 1900-1910 villa’s ageing exterior weatherboards, utilising the opportunity to also upgrade insulation. A new roof and new spouting went on about 18 months ago. In winter Tom appreciated coming home to the villa’s convenient central heating.
“And in summer he loved coming home, opening up the rear doors to the back deck and going for a swim.”
Arranged around the central hallway are two front bay bedrooms, one opening to the front porch, a third bedroom and a large modern bathroom with cupboarded laundry.
The hallway’s polished native timber flooring continues in the open-plan living-dining-entertainers’ kitchen, where some of the flatmates showed impressive cooking skills whipping up convivial flat meals.
The lower level’s second living area-media room is lined with bookshelves. Photo / Supplied
The home has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, off-street parking and multiple living and entertainment zones. Photo / Supplied
Doors open up to a sun-drenched deck, with stairs down to the backyard. Interior stairs lead down to the lower level’s second living area-media room, lined with bookshelves and opening wide to outdoors.
Upstairs has a second bathroom and two bedrooms; the one opening to its own north-facing balcony ideally positioned to watch Sky Tower fireworks.
Tony says: “I stayed at the house a few times before all the flatmates had moved in and it was just wonderful on a Sunday afternoon, relaxing around the pool and having barbecues. It’s been the perfect house and we’ve got really fond memories of it but now Tim is living in England it’s time for someone else to enjoy it.”
Bayleys agent Cristina Casares says: “This villa is a really beautiful family home with an excellent layout – which allows families to enjoy some separation over three levels – and a big backyard with swimming pool.”
- 19 Burnley Terrace, Mt Eden, Auckland, goes to auction on September 17
