Solid as a rock and sitting on a huge 1437sqm section, this gem on Stanley Point is on the market for the first time in decades.
It offers a blank canvas for a stunning garden that flows to the swimming pool, a productive food forest or orchard, or even a potential subdivision.
As far as homeowner Paul Williams is concerned, 5 First Avenue is the nicest quiet and leafy street on Stanley Point. “It still has character and being a cul de sac there’s not much traffic,” he says.
Paul and his late wife bought the villa in 1976, moving out two years ago when she needed extra care. Since then, their much-loved home of almost 50 years has been occupied temporarily by friends and a former neighbour.
Start your property search
As he “doesn’t fancy himself as a landlord,” he’s now ready to let it go.
Set one house back from the cliff on a beautiful quiet corner of Stanley Point, it has northerly views of the sea from across the neighbour’s garden. If taken up another level would have spectacular views all round including of Rangitoto.
It’s a four-bedroom house now but “there’s huge potential for pushing up if you wanted to. The space under the roof is extraordinary”, he says.
The home is also warm, light and sun-filled. There is heat return ventilation, two heat pumps and two fireplaces. Facing east-west the master bedroom gets the morning sun. The sunroom, main lounge and living room receive sun all day and in the evening warms the west-facing verandah.
Built around 1910, the home features original solid kauri timber floors and has been lovingly restored by the couple. When they first purchased the property, they felt it had been vulgarly “modernised” so the first thing they did, with the help of an architect friend, was to restore its original character.
When the owners bought the property in 1976, they felt it had been vulgarly “modernised” so they sought to restore it to its original character with the help of an architect friend. Photo / Supplied
The 1437sqm section offers a blank canvas for a stunning garden that flows to the swimming pool, a productive food forest or orchard, or even a potential subdivision. Photo / Supplied
Thoughtful additions included adding an ensuite to the master bedroom, reconfiguring the kitchen and bathroom area, and adding French doors to the back of the home and a verandah with steps down to the lawn and expansive back garden.
The double garage features doors at both ends, allowing drive-through access to the back garden. Beside it is an additional room, which in the early 1900s served as the maid’s quarters. Trees surround the property’s perimeter, and a short bamboo hedge (non-spreading variety) provides privacy when enjoying a sunset drink on the verandah.
What they loved most about living here is “without question the quietness”. “It’s also a great place for children growing up. We had three boys, so the backyard was the cricket pitch and the tennis lawn. You name it.”
The boys learned to swim in the pool in the fenced backyard and had many adventures exploring Ngataringa Bay (which has nearby footpath access) from where the boys collected old bricks – dropped from boat traffic from the old Duders Brickworks. These were used to build the BBQ in the far corner of the garden.
“The boys used to fish off the point and catch snapper and sprats. In Stanley Bay in summer, it’s a rite of passage for the local kids to jump off the wharf, It’s a great place to bring up a family. I don’t think it could have been better,” says Paul.
The home is warm, light and sun-filled. There is heat return ventilation, two heat pumps and two fireplaces. Photo / Supplied
Thoughtful additions have included adding an ensuite to the master bedroom, and reconfiguring the kitchen and bathroom area. Photo / Supplied
This property is an exceptionally rare offering – 1437sqm of premium land in one of Stanley Point’s most sought-after streets, says Michael Swarbrick, of Harcourts.
“What really stands out to me is the expansive flat site. The villa itself feels incredibly grand, and as you walk through, you can genuinely feel the history and the opportunity in every step.
“It’s one of those homes that instantly captures your imagination – the character, the era, the sheer scale of the grounds, and the potential to restore, enhance, or completely reimagine something remarkable.
“Opportunities of this scale simply don’t come up anymore. With such a genuine blank canvas, the next owner has the freedom to create something truly special or even explore subdivision potential and add a second home. It really is the Kiwi dream.”
5 First Avenue in Stanley Point, North Shore, Auckland, is for sale by auction on February 12.
- Sponsored by Harcourts
