Grey Lynn: Central Park

A townhouse enjoys a unique and private setting.

7 Wallingford Street, Grey Lynn.

Auckland can be full of surprises, quirky corners and unexpected landscapes.

Head down Murdoch Road towards Grey Lynn Park, the hubbub of Ponsonby receding behind you, and you come to Wallingford Street. Walk along to the end to number 7, where perched above a deep wooded gully running east out of the park you find Pat and Jean Walters' townhouse, sitting in an environment unlike anywhere else on the isthmus.

"I was running my business from No. 1, and when I heard the section was being developed into two properties, I had to have one. The position was so fantastic," says Jean, who runs art leasing firm Art Associates.

That was 10 years ago. The Walters sold their house in Kohimarama and bought the Leuschke Group-designed three-storey townhouse off the plans. It shares a cross-leased 944sq m section and driveway with another townhouse.

"It was so central, all my children moved back home," Jean laughs.

Her daughters and their partners have at various times been accommodated on the ground floor, which is almost self-contained with two bedrooms, a small lounge, kitchenette and bathroom.

Jean expanded by building above the garage, turning what could have been a slightly cramped townhouse into a building with ample space.

The middle floor is the main living area comprising a lounge with gas fireplace, and a huge dining and kitchen area with a floating stainless steel workbench.

"This place is great for parties. It can handle a lot of people," she says.

The extension also meant a much larger master bedroom on the top floor, with a separate dressing room and bathroom. The original master bedroom is used as a study/office. "It's so private up here, even though we are in the middle of the city."

There is plenty of wall space for Jean's personal collection, including paintings by her daughters and a large work by one of her favourites, Stephen Bambury.

That's the inside, but much of the focus is on the outside.

North-facing balconies on each upper storey and a tiled patio on the ground floor encourage al fresco living.

Tall gums and she-oaks fill the valley. On the bank, bromeliads, palms, Brazilian tree ferns and other exotics are growing among native shrubs.

"We planted lots of natives when we got here, which stabilised the bank. Gradually the soil altered so we could grow other things."

The steepness of the bank prevents access from the park and preserves privacy.

"You can hear the singing from the Tongan church and sound from the sports games down on the park. I like that."

Out the front of the house, Jean planted tall palms and other tropical plants, taking advantage of the microclimate created by the three-storey brick north wall of the former boat-building factory next door.

The girls eventually moved out, and Jean has decided the house is too big for her current needs.

"It has been a real privilege living here, in part of the city but in your own world," she says.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGE: 2+

SIZE: Land: Crossleased 1/2 share of 944sq m, house 263sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV (2005) $800,000. Properties of this type are selling in the area for $900,000-$1.2 million.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-3pm.

CONTACT: Tim Collins Smith, Ray White Ponsonby ph 021 909 149, or 376 2186.

FEATURES: Ten-year-old plaster and cedar weatherboard townhouse, architecturally designed. Two living areas with good separation for older family members. Master suite has study. Easy walk to Grey Lynn Park and cafes.