Parnell: Logan Campbell’s phoenix

Photo / Mark Heaslip

Named Kilbryde after John Logan Campbell's grand home that once stood here, a new development retains its links with one of the founding fathers of Auckland.

For nearly four and a half decades Kilbryde was one of the jewels in Auckland's real estate crown. Built in 1881 for the father of Auckland, Sir John Logan Campbell, and named after his ancestral castle in Scotland, the gracious Italianate mansion occupied a prime position in Parnell looking out across the harbour.

Kilbryde was set in beautiful gardens - Logan Campbell himself cleared the scrubby land and planted hundreds of trees and shrubs in his spare time - and featured a ballroom and cantilevered minstrel's gallery. Sadly, the home only had a lifespan of 43 years. After Logan Campbell died in 1912 Kilbryde was sold to the Auckland Harbour Board, who demolished it by 1924. Only a section of the garden remained, which is now part of the Parnell Rose Gardens.

In later years the Earls Court Motel was built on the land, but in the mid-1990s an overseas purchaser knocked it down. Local property developer Cam Hadlow used to drive past the weed-covered site on Gladstone Rd and wondered who owned it, and what they planned to do with it.

Curiosity soon got the better of Cam, a master builder who owns Abinitio Property with his wife, Yvonne. He tracked down the owner's accountant and registered his interest in buying the land if it ever came up for sale. He was told that was unlikely, but just months later the accountant rang him back - would he like to make an offer?

Once Abinitio had bought the land, much time and effort went into planning the development that would occupy it.

"We wanted to maximise the coverage while building something appropriate for such a landmark site," says Cam. "Kilbryde was such a beautiful place, we wanted to do something that would continue that tradition."

Logan Campbell had chosen to construct Kilbryde from masonry and he decorated it sparsely. Likewise, Cam opted for solid concrete exteriors and minimalist interiors for his development, also named Kilbryde. There are other links - the original house had a distinctive tower; 21st century-style turrets are a feature of the new Kilbryde.

Award-winning architect Simon Carnachan designed the complex, which consists of four villas, four townhouses and 12 apartments, including two penthouses. Only one villa, one apartment and one penthouse are still available.

The penthouse has stunning views across the harbour from the large, open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas. Instead of external walls, there is floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides. Ranchsliders lead out to two loggia-style covered decks, which have partially glazed roofs and aluminium shutters. The gourmet kitchen has a large, walk-in butler's pantry complete with a second dishwasher and a specialist wine fridge.

Stylish gas fires heat each of the two living areas and there's also an air conditioning system to heat and cool this part of the home and the master bedroom. The main bedroom has a walk-through wardrobe and a huge, completely tiled en suite with a deep, luxurious tub. There's a second bedroom, a study with built-in shelving, another bathroom and a room with an en suite that could be a third bedroom or a gym.

A laundry off the entrance foyer leads through to the pantry and kitchen. If you're entertaining, the caterers can just get out of the lift and go straight through to the kitchen, says Cam.

Stairs from the lobby lead up to an unexpected bonus - a 55sq m roof deck with 360-degree views. A gas bayonet, power and a water tap up here mean you could bring up the barbecue and spa pool.

Also for sale in the same building is a two-level apartment, with three bedrooms, a study and three decks, including one that can be closed in and used as another living space.

Across the way, the last available multi-storey villa is ideal for a family. On four levels (five if you count the underground wine cellar/gym), it has a family/media room on the ground floor that opens to a paved area and lawn. The next floor is devoted to the large living-dining-kitchen area and formal lounge. Up another flight are two bedrooms, a bathroom and the spacious master bedroom with en suite. On the top floor is a room with an en suite that could be used as a guest suite, living area, home office or fourth bedroom.

The villa is served by a domestic lift and also has an internal-access double garage.

All of the Kilbryde properties come with quality fixtures and fittings. They're superbly finished and decorated in elegant neutrals. The grounds are landscaped with native and tropical plants, creating a resort feel, and there's a 20m heated pool with toilet, shower and barbecue area.

"We've achieved the standard of development we wanted," says Cam. "It would be nice if it could become one of Auckland's landmark properties, like the original Kilbryde."

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: Kilbryde, 104 -106 Gladstone Rd, Parnell.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE: Penthouse apartment with two living areas; dining area; gourmet kitchen; walk-in pantry; laundry; master bedroom with en suite and walk-through wardrobe; second bedroom; third bedroom/gym with en suite; study; bathroom; two loggia decks; roof deck; three-car parking; reverse cycle air conditioning; wired for home theatre. Two-level apartment with three bedrooms and study. Multi-level villa with three bedrooms, guest suite and family media room. Complex has 20m heated pool for residents.

SIZE: Penthouse 300sq m; apartment 212sq m; villa 424sq m.

PRICE: Penthouse $3.45 million; apartment $1.95 million; villa $3.55 million.

CONTACT: Cam Hadlow, Abinitio Property. Ph 021 978 680 mob.