The home was one of several featured in a 1963 New Zealand Woman's Weekly article written by Sandra Potter called "Gay old ladies" about some of the old houses being restored around central Auckland.
This home's dormer windows, wisteria-fringed veranda and shingle roof are in keeping with its vintage, although ironically, Simon says the shingled roof is one of the newest parts of the house as it was replaced only a few years ago. Hidden behind a fence and with key-pad entry on the corner of St Stephens Ave and Awatea Rd, the house has park-like grounds, with a pohutukawa and Norfolk pine in the front yard.
Simon says this lower section of St Stephens Ave is so desirable because "it's a quiet, leafy part of Parnell that's so close to the CBD, with easy commuting as it's close to the motorway junction".
Simon says the fact the house has "lots of living areas" will appeal to many. There is a casual, tiled conservatory adjoining an indoor pool, as well as three further generously proportioned living rooms that flow on from each other on the downstairs level. French doors open on to the veranda and a tiled patio area. Also downstairs is a timber kitchen with a Carrara-marble benchtop, two large bedrooms and a spacious family bathroom with a bath and heritage-style fittings.
Upstairs are three bedrooms, plus a bathroom with a standalone bath. The master suite has a view of Rangitoto, an en suite, plus a walk-in wardrobe.
The house is full of charm and grace and is completely liveable as it is, but buyers may wish to make their own cosmetic improvements. "I had quite a prominent architect visit and he was quite excited about the potential here and said it was pretty clear what needed to be done," says Simon. Part of the changes involved linking some of the separate living areas and relocating the kitchen. Outside, above the double garage, is a storage area accessed by a character wrought-iron staircase, which could be converted into a teenage retreat.
Simon and his daughters will leave any changes up to new owners though, because after many years being locals they are moving away from Parnell to a family home in Remuera.