This prime Westmere waterfront location was split into two titles 25 years ago and been a home and magical backyard enjoyed by one family over that time. Now both properties are available with the option to buy together or separately.
Owner Lorna and her late husband Rob planned to build their dream home at the front of the section. They subdivided the property and shifted the original 1920 three-bedroom bungalow closer to the West End Road end of the property.
Then with a 2-year-old and another child on the way, they pressed pause on their plans, deciding it would be nice for the kids to have a big property to run around on. Two children become three and they expanded the bungalow over the years – going up and down and out – transforming it into a three-storey family home.
The property is situated across the road from Cox’s Bay Reserve and the local tennis club and has private access to the foreshore where the family have enjoyed many picnics, days swimming and swinging off pohutukawa trees, kayaking, dinghy adventures and windsurfing.
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“One of the first things we did was to fence all the open areas around the property, as we had a curious two-year-old who liked to wander,” says Lorna.
The couple kept the bungalow’s original timber floors and switched around the layout to make the most of the view and space.
The bathroom and kitchen were moved to the middle of the home, so that the living areas could open to the outdoors and view. They also added an upstairs master bedroom with ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and Juliet balcony and two more bedrooms and bathroom.
Years later they expanded again – digging out a space near the garage for another bedroom, bathroom and media room (which Lorna has let on Airbnb for the past eight years).
A subtle nautical theme runs through the home, inspired by the waterfront location and original stained glass Viking ship window on the front door. Rob had this replicated for an upstairs bedroom. There’s also a round porthole-style window in the master bedroom, and a genuine ship’s porthole is currently affixed to the wall of the ensuite.
83 West End Road is a 717sqm blank canvas and No.83A is three-storey family home with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, multiple living areas, garaging and plenty of off-street parking. Photo / Supplied
The owners kept the bungalow’s original timber floors and switched around the layout to make the most of the view and space. Photo / Supplied
Listing agent Matt Bayley says the opportunity to buy is unique as it offers north-facing waterfront living and development flexibility in one of Auckland’s most sought-after suburbs. Photo / Supplied
On the main living level bifold doors open onto a deck that steps down to the expansive lawn which leads to the water’s edge.
“At one point Rob put a little flying fox off the back balcony,” laughs Lorna. “During Covid I allowed my youngest to build a dirt track and put in jumps [for his bike] which kept him entertained. The grass is now all grown back.”
Her sons got interested in cars recently, and it became a car park for a time, which she jokes was not the best use of the 717sqm waterfront section. “We probably had 10 to 12 cars there.”
It’s also been a gathering point for many parties, too – kids, teens and adults. “For Rob’s 50th we had a big marquee on the deck and a band inside. It’s a great space for toddlers to 20-year-olds,” says Lorna.
What she has loved most about living here is that it’s very homely and sunny with good indoor-outdoor flow and views out towards Chelsea Harbour, Birkenhead and beautiful sunsets to the west.
And the fact that the Westmere Butcher is a five-minute walk up the road, handy for the many barbecues that have been cooked up on the deck.
A subtle nautical theme runs through the home, inspired by the waterfront location and original stained glass Viking ship window on the front door. Photo / Supplied
Doors and windows open out to take in the views from the expansive backyard to the water’s edge and out towards Chelsea Harbour and Birkenhead. Photo / Supplied
Lorna says it’s now up to the next owners to do what they want with the space to make it their own. “It’s a lovely family home with lots of land to either enjoy or build your dream home,” she says.
This is truly a unique opportunity that offers north-facing waterfront living, development flexibility and one of Auckland’s strongest lifestyle locations all in one package, says Bayleys’ Matt Bayley.
“It’s incredibly rare to find a waterfront site in Auckland that is already subdivided and ready to build on, let alone one that is north-facing and positioned in one of Auckland’s most sought-after suburbs,” says Matt.
“The Westmere village has really come into its own. The butcher has always been a local favourite, and now with Catroux, Ragtag and Beabea’s all within an easy five-minute walk, the lifestyle offering is better than ever.”
83 and 83A West End Road in Westmere, Auckland, are for sale by tender, deadline closing June 4.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
