Houses put back on market

Two of the villas on the market. Photo / Janna Dixon

Four character villas that sparked controversy after being bought by the now-defunct Auckland City Council are back on the market.

Locals had feared the Sandringham Rd homes would be demolished as part of Eden Park redevelopment, which included an additional bus lane.

But the picket-fence properties, across the road from Kingsland Station and just a stone's throw from Eden Park, are intact - minus the 3m that has been shaved off each front yard.

Bayleys agent Trevor Elia, who is marketing the properties, said it was impossible to say whether ratepayers were set to make a profit or a loss over the sales. "The area's certainly not booming," Elia said.

The council paid nearly $3 million for the homes during 2007 and 2008 - the peak of the housing boom - and spent $273,913 on refurbishments. The kitchens and bathrooms had been replaced and painting, re-roofing and weatherboard replacement work had also been done, Auckland Council property manager Ian Wheeler said.

Wheeler would not disclose what the minimum tender prices had been set at.

Public records show the properties have a capital value of between $620,000 and $690,000.

Local board member Tim Woolfield said the appeal of the area had lifted dramatically with Rugby World Cup developments.