Sandringham: Added Value

11A Royal Terrace, Sandringham.

If ever there was a section ripe for development, it was the former home of the Auckland Womens Bowling Club in Sandringham.

Built in 1934, the clubrooms and perfectly flat grounds once occupied a 1902sq m site at 11a Royal Terrace.

It was originally home to the Edendale Bowling Club, followed by the Sandringham Bowling Club, until the Auckland Womens Bowling Club became the last to use it for what it was originally intended.

Since the property was sold in 1993, there have been two private owners, the first of which made the old clubrooms habitable thanks to the property's zoning being changed from recreational to residential.

One of the owners used the immaculate lawns for big family cricket matches.

Inevitably, a developer finally bought it 18 months ago, and it's now a four-home subdivision, with the fourth dwelling being partly constructed out of the old clubhouse.

Mark Sumich, of Cahill Real Estate, has been involved in the sale of the property three times over the years. "And this will be the fourth," he says.

"I've heard quite a few stories about this place since I have been involved with it," he says. "Apparently one of the lady club members used to have her Rolls Royce parked outside on Royal Terrace for the entire weekend when a big tournament was on, with her chauffeur in it waiting for when she was ready to leave."

The parking situation caused a few problems with the neighbours back then, who used to get fed up with the street being constantly choked up with cars, he says.

"There was no access for cars to the club grounds then," says Mark, "so members parked anywhere they could and walked up the right of way."

It took a while for the new development to be approved by the 12 or so neighbours around the property, he says.

"It's surrounded by these wonderful heritage homes in Burnley Terrace and Royal Terrace, so the style of the new homes had to be in keeping with these. There are not many two-storey houses around here, either."

The four weatherboard homes, which share a driveway, are basically the same but with slightly different interior colour schemes and kitchens. The features include a central vacuum system, burglar alarm, panelled internal doors, double garages with auto sectional cedar doors, timber-fenced, landscaped gardens and tiled patio areas.

In the show home, the cedar front door opens to a stylish tiled entrance and contemporary open-plan living, dining and kitchen area.

Up to the minute, the kitchen sports oak-panelled cabinetry, deep granite benchtops incorporating the sink, a pantry, smart pendant lighting over the benchtop and underfloor heating, which extends to the dining space, bathrooms and entry.

A guest room, or study, a shower room and the laundry are to the right of the kitchen.

Upstairs is the large master bedroom with an en suite and a walk-in wardrobe. Bedrooms two and three open to their own little balconies.

The main bathroom is a good size, with a larger-than-average bath and shower. All the bathrooms have Italian porcelain floor and wall tiles, Italian basins and granite vanity tops.

The fourth house is still under construction, but the bones of the old bowling clubrooms are clearly visible. A little piece of the history of this site has been preserved.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGE: 2

SIZE: Land areas from 400sq m to 662sq m.

PRICE: From $839,000 to $879,000.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun noon-1pm.

CONTACT: Mark Sumich or Jo-Ann Mark, Cahill Real Estate, ph 849 2588 bus, Mark 0274 909 814 mob, Jo-Ann 0274 956 153 mob.

FEATURES: Four new homes built on site of former Auckland Womens Bowling Club, with the clubrooms being the fourth home. The contemporary dwellings include open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas, European fittings, Italian tiles inside and out, outdoor areas and internal-access double garaging.