Remuera: Friends in need

When tragedy struck her family, this owner of an upstairs downstairs townhouse found her neighbours' help invaluable.
A/115 Remuera Road, Remuera.

When television producer Robyn Scott-Vincent moved into her four-level townhouse two years ago it was the perfect choice for her two teenagers and a younger son.

"It offered space for us all, especially if the teenagers wanted to spend time on their own. They could use either the downstairs den or the loft, while Ryan had his friends on one of the other levels."

That left the second level, with living areas, free for the adults.

There was a further bonus - one she never imagined - and that was the support she would get from the neighbours in the other seven units.

Six months after moving in, her eldest son, Harrison, was diagnosed with leukaemia. The next seven months were consumed with Harrison's almost daily treatments at Auckland City Hospital while Robyn juggled the documentaries she already had underway. The neighbours pitched in.

They took turns walking the family's miniature schnauzer, dropped by with meals and offered their babysitting services for the younger boys. Robyn found the support they gave her invaluable.

"They'd pop in and just have a drink with us. You could be at home but still have company and Harrison really loved that. "

The townhouse was built by former league star Mathew Ridge's property development company 3M. His company didn't last but the townhouses are well-constructed, contractors have said. They're built of solid concrete and plaster, and Robyn has loved the fact that the house has been maintenance-free .

On the ground floor there's garaging, a laundry, and a den which the boys use to entertain their friends. A small courtyard is private and north-facing. The second level contains kitchen, dining and living areas. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the third floor, and a bonus is a loft in the eaves of the house. It's a vast space with a private and secret feel that would suit teenagers. Harrison died at Auckland City Hospital in January. The boys say the house feels empty without him, so the family has decided to find somewhere smaller and start afresh. . Robyn says the bonds they've formed with their neighbours will last. "I've made some lovely friends."

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGE: 2

SIZE: Land: 1/8share of 1800sq m, house 280sq m.

PRICE: $925,000.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 3-3.45pm.

CONTACT: Cheryl Paine, Bayleys, ph 021 667 778, 520 8888.

FEATURES: Spacious townhouse over four levels, including large loft area converted to bedroom use. Updated kitchen featuring granite and stainless steel, contemporary design throughout. In Auckland Grammar zone and two minutes from Newmarket.