Cause for celebration in St Marys Bay

49 Shelley Beach Road, St Marys Bay. Photo / Supplied

THE LODGE 49 SHELLY BEACH RD ST MARYS BAY

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SIZE: Land 600sq m, house 470sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected in excess of CV of $2.5 million. Auction November 24.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1pm-1.30pm.

ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz/ 443278

SCHOOL ZONES: Ponsonby Primary, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College, Auckland Girls' Grammar.

CONTACT: Brian and Jan Parish, Barfoot & Thompson Ponsonby, ph 376 3039, Brian 021 924 858 or Jan 0274 924 858.

FEATURES: Beautifully renovated family home with sweeping sea and city views. Spacious living areas on the ground- floor level with four bedrooms upstairs including master suite and separate lounge. Downstairs has another bathroom and bedroom opening out to heated swimming pool. Modern conveniences such as heat pumps and central vac.

Owning a landmark building such as The Lodge means Sue and Andrew Robertson meet a lot of people who have fond memories of their home.

The three-level weatherboard house was built as a family home in the 1930s, says Sue, but later served as a wedding, reception and conference venue before falling into disrepair.

"We get so many people telling us they've been to weddings or conferences here," says Sue. "My mother remembers coming to her cousin's wedding many years ago and having her picture taken on the staircase. For a while it was the place to have weddings and conferences."

In its earlier incarnation, the Arts and Crafts-influenced home had large grounds with a tennis court, orchard and a sweeping driveway off Shelly Beach Rd.

Sue got hold of some original photos of the property and had them copied and framed. They now sit on the wall in the entranceway and show the home with newly planted phoenix palms and the Tank Farm being developed in the distance.

The phoenix palms that remain are now towering specimens and serve as a reminder of the home's original grounds, which have been subdivided to accommodate a group of townhouses. A gated driveway serving this development also takes you to The Lodge, which is set well back from the road.

The Robertsons' home of three years was renovated after the townhouse development was completed. When Sue and Andrew first saw the home it was "only about 65 per cent finished" and it was not love at first sight. "It looked like a bomb site," says Sue.

But real estate agent Brian Parish kept bringing them back to look at the home as work progressed on it. Sue says: 'We must have come back five or six times and when the kitchen and bathrooms went in, we said, 'This is beautiful'."

The renovation has provided modern conveniences and a family-friendly layout while retaining character features such as leadlights, bay windows with window seats and two working open fires. Off the foyer, there is an office to the left and a powder room to the right. Stained kauri floors flow through the casual lounge and kitchen and dining areas while the formal lounge is carpeted. The casual and formal lounges both open to a covered outdoor room
looking out over the harbour. "In summer we eat out here all the time," says Sue.

From the kitchen, which has a butler's pantry, you move out to an east-facing deck with city views, perfect for breakfast in the morning sun. Steps lead down to the heated swimming pool and on this lower level of the house there is another bedroom (set up as a gym at the moment) and bathroom.

An elegant curved wooden staircase takes you to the top floor where there are four bedrooms. Two bedrooms share a bathroom but the guest bedroom has its own en suite and walk-in wardrobe.

The master suite occupies prime position and views of the harbour, Rangitoto, Westhaven Marina and the city. The room adjoining the bedroom could be an adult's lounge but the Robertsons have it set up as an office. Bifold windows along the northern side open the room up to the harbour and marina views, while a picture window on the northern side frames the city vista.

The Robertsons are moving on as they are building a new home in Westmere.

Says Sue: "My husband wants somewhere to put the boat for a start and we want to downsize as there's just the two of us."