As a suburb, Point Chevalier remained a hidden jewel until relatively recently when its prime position, close to the water yet also within easy reach of the CBD and the surrounding – very fashionable suburbs, such as Westmere and Grey Lynn, caught buyers’ imaginations.
The current owner of waterfront 6 Lister Street says that the parcel of waterfront land she and her husband purchased was long and narrow and they really wanted to make the most of it, so they called in Michael Jones of Jones Architects.
“Our brief to him was to maximise sun, and views, close enough to the water and he understood that perfectly,” the owner says.
“We also didn’t want space wasted at the rear of the home, which is now about 10 years old and he suggested the idea of an internal courtyard, which appealed to us because we’ve lived in the Far East, where that’s a common feature.”
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She says that although their children were young at the time, they weren’t too young to have their own space.
“So, there are two wings at the east and west ends of the upper level with two bedrooms and a bathroom in each; the kids’ we called the K wing, then ours was the A wing and it worked very well.”
The master suite in the A wing has the bonus of its own balcony.
The open-plan kitchen dining and family living area opens out to a level lawn before dropping to the water. Photo / Supplied
Downstairs on the ground level lies the cool and contemporary open plan kitchen dining and family living area, and there’s another, more formal lounge with stylish built-in furniture.
A covered garden area with a pond is reached via the internal courtyard and a bedroom and double garage, with loads of storage is at the rear.
The owner says that everybody in the family enjoyed the large warm, sunny spaces and there is nothing they would do differently if they were building again.
“We have really loved being in this neighbourhood too,” she says.
6 Lister Street in Point Chevalier, Auckland, has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
An internal courtyard, with a pond and garden is perfect for entertaining and outside dining. Photo / Supplied
“It’s been great walking the dog along the beach most days and although the water where we are is tidal, so isn’t great for swimming, it’s still ideal if you have canoes or paddleboards.”
She recommends Point Chev Beach Café as a great place to grab a coffee and says that there are bus services and cycleways nearby.
With their children now adults, the owners are looking for something smaller.
“One thing I’ll miss is being able to see out towards the Waitakeres, where I grew up,” she adds.
While the water at the bottom of the garden isn't great for swimming, it's ideal for canoes and paddleboards. Photo / Supplied
Ross Brader from Ray White, Point Chevalier is a local market specialist, and he says that interest in properties of this calibre is showing no sign of abating and prices are holding up very well too.
“Being on the waterfront like this is particularly rare and I would say that it’s probably only about the third property we’ve had for sale here in the past five years or so,” he says.
Brader points out that there are great parks and excellent schools in the neighbourhood, making it an ideal place for families who want their children to enjoy a classic kiwi childhood.
6 Lister Street in Point Chevalier, Auckland is for sale by negotiation.
