Parnell: Doctor in the house

An historic building retains its traditional looks with the discreet addition of mod cons, writes Lucy Richmond.

1 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell.

Built for one of Parnell's early family doctors, this historic home has been discreetly updated for a modern couple and their children.

The impressive neo-Georgian home was designed in 1912 by the architect Frank Noel Bamford, and built by JJ Craig who had thousands of bricks and jarrah timber shipped over from Australia. The house was built for Craig's daughter, Hazel, who had married Dr Alexander Kinder. They had four children, and Kinder remained in Parnell as a family doctor until his death in 1930. The house was then owned by another well known Auckland doctor, Leslie Vivian, until 1960.

It's current owner, businesswoman Michelle McKellar, bought it in 2000 after it was initially shown to her as potential office accommodation.

"But once we looked through the house and saw the potential and the wonderful location I simply said, 'We're going to live here.' That very weekend we signed a contract on the house and I proceeded to brief the architect to come up with some ideas for the refurbishment."

Michelle wanted to ensure the renovations remained in keeping with the home's original style. "But I also wanted to make it a liveable home for a large family," she says.

"There are five of us and the house needed to be big enough to accommodate the children's friends and extended family in their own space or wing without them tripping over anyone."

A purpose-built gym is tucked away out of sight.

With glass walls, the fully equipped fitness room includes a treadmill, exercise bike and a set of hand weights, as well as a TV and video. All these goodies are included in the sale. "I was used to working long hours and never seemed to make it to the gym, so this feature was a fundamental part of the renovation."

The original gardener's quarters is now separate guest accommodation with a bedroom, shower, washing machine and dryer. It opens directly to the heated, in-ground swimming pool.

In the main house, four telephone lines, a double gas hot water system, an intercom, gas fireplaces, Sky TV throughout the home and an in-ceiling dehumidifier are some of the up-to-the-minute features Michelle added.

A bedroom was remodelled for Michelle's youngest daughter to incorporate a walk-in wardrobe large enough for a play room. It also has a lovely sun room with a fantastic view across Parnell to the harbour beyond.

Looking at the manicured garden - with its magnolia trees, box hedges, a couple of courtyards and neat areas of lawn - it's hard to believe it was once a bitumen car park taking up to 15 cars.

Inside, the grand living areas stick with English tradition in the form of a separate kitchen, dining and sitting rooms.

Wide hallways, high ceilings, rich colours, elegant drapes and gold detailing on the architraves add to the home's stately feel.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 930sq m (leasehold), house 400sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: CV $1.955 million. Auction September 17.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Martin Dobson and Nicola Bull, Kellands, ph 302 2209 bus, Martin 021 376 952 mob, Nicola 021 474 645 mob.

FEATURES: Elegant, renovated family residence listed as a Category 2 building with the Historic Places Trust. Large living spaces, gas heating, landscaped garden with fishpond, heated in-ground swimming pool and water feature, purpose-built gym and separate one-bedroom pool house. Chattels include all gym equipment and large garden pots with topiary plants. Potential commercial use, 7B zoning.