Takapuna: A castle for his princess

The stained glass windows feature crests representing Clan Stewart, and the Algie, Munro, Lennox and MacMillan families. Photo / Geoff Dale

Built by a man with a deep passion for all things Scottish as a gift for his new bride, this castle in Takapuna offers a landmark property with stunning sea views.
If Merksworth Castle is an architectural folly, then it's a folly of the heart. The Takapuna landmark was built by a man in love, as a gift for his new Scottish bride.

Eccentric, yes, with its fortress-style battlements, turret and basalt stone walls nearly a metre thick. But, as a miniature offspring of the northern hemisphere giants that inspired it, this little castle has a sweetness about it. The interior has a straightforward charm from which to start renovating, and the view is one of the best in Auckland.

Now it's for sale, leaving the hands of the Algie family for the first time since it was built 79 years ago. Just two weeks ago a grandchild of its creator, John Algie, moved to a new home three doors along, allowing Manson Developments to prepare the site for sale. Manson's Steve Clark had the cross-leased section subdivided, so the castle is now on its own site distinct from a house below. A double garage is being built and a gondola put in to allow the owner of the lower house access between his car and home. The castle will have its own set of steps down to Thorne Bay and the giant chair John Algie built out of riverstones, where walkers rest on the lovely route between Takapuna and Milford Beaches.

But back to the love story. Family folklore has it that John Algie's son, law clerk Ronald (later to become Speaker of the House, Sir Ronald Algie), discovered the narrow cliff-top property while serving a writ on a neighbouring landowner. His father moved into a bach on the shoreline, then embarked on a pilgrimage to his ancestral Scotland. He returned with a young wife, an abiding passion for things Scottish and a desire to provide a fitting home for his new love.

John Algie employed architect WH Jaime, and expatriate French stonemason and sculptor Francois (Frank) Savidan. Tonnes of basalt was carried from the quarry on the side of Lake Pupuke, and in 1926 the initials AJA (Algie, John Alexander) and APM (Algie, Penelope Munro) were etched in the lintel above the front door. They flank the family crest, and the motto 'Gang Warily', which means something like 'mind the step'. The house was imbued with reminders of Scotland, particularly in the stained glass crests representing Clan Stewart, and the Algie, Munro, Lennox and MacMillan families.

Walk through the outer front door and you are greeted by two stone seats either side of a second, heavier door. Pass under a Gaelic blessing inscribed in the rock above, and you enter the main hallway. To your right is what used to be the master bedroom, now furnished as a sitting room to catch the afternoon sun. To your left is another bedroom. Next is the living room, with an impressive stone fireplace that can still host a blaze. Flowing from here is the dining room in the upper part of the turret, complete with a row of narrow windows peeking at the view. At the end of the hallway is the kitchen, overlooking the deck to Rangitoto. Downstairs there are another three bedrooms - one, sun-drenched, gazes out to sea, another is almost perfectly round in the bottom half of the turret. There is also another bathroom down here, making it an ideal set-up for older children, or even bed and breakfast accommodation. While the fireplaces are castle-like, the rest of the interior is more like a bungalow, reflecting the age in which it was built. Ceiling beams and architraves are in dark wood which Clark thinks may be stained kauri.

Back upstairs you walk through a stone archway onto the expansive deck. The view is breathtaking, stretching from Tiritiri Matangi and Little Barrier islands, past Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel, Rangitoto and around to Auckland's eastern suburbs.

A spiral staircase leads up to the roof, begging to be turned into an entertainment area between the battlements. Part of the front lawn has also been prepared for a potential swimming pool and outdoor living area.

The home's category B heritage protection order means that such refinements can be made, and the interior updated, as long as the exterior is not altered out of character.

In 28 years of selling real estate, Merksworth is the first castle that Premium agent Jim Mays has handled.

"We just don't have them, do we? It's been an absolute pleasure."

Developer Steve Clark says it has been a privilege dealing with this unique property.

"It's exciting, because where else do you find a castle in New Zealand? With such history? We couldn't let it pass us by. We've enjoyed preparing it for a new owner to come in and adapt it with their vision."

Being so generous of spirit, it may be that John Algie wouldn't mind his gift to his wife passing into new, appreciative hands.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 253 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna.

FEATURES: Four bedrooms; sitting room that could be another bedroom; two bathrooms; two fireplaces; double garage (one side to be used by owner of house on section below); stunning views; own steps to the bay below.

SIZE: Land 700sq m.

INTERNATIONAL TENDER CLOSES: April 22. Interest is expected above $2.5 million.

AGENT: Jim Mays, Premium. Ph 486 1727 bus; 021 937 766 mob.