Three Kings: Added value

The owners of this property have appeared in the New Zealand Herald before. It was around 1955, and 13-year-old Bruce Amies was helping his dad and neighbours mix and lay concrete by hand that now makes up Garden Place. 

"We had five neighbours in those days and we each had houses on half an acre. Rather than having separate driveways, everyone banded together to make one big one, with lawn on either side of it," Bruce recalls. "The Herald must have thought it was interesting and so they came and took a photo." 

Now, 50 years later, it's time for the Amies to sell the property that's been home since 1948. Bruce's mother Mrs Amies recently moved out of the solid three-bedroom brick house which is set on a 2608sq m section. Zoned 6A (375sq m per unit) and currently on one title, the section also features two two-bedroom stucco flats with their own small gardens. They were built in the 1950s in a spot of the garden where the Amies used to have sheep grazing. Currently tenanted, the flats are an ideal home and income set-up as they're positioned well away from the main house. 

Set on a gently sloping, fully landscaped site, the main house has a great outlook from most of its rooms. From the sunny conservatory it's possible to see the Waitakere Ranges and the cone of Mt Roskill. The home is in fantastic order, with decor in what is now considered retro style. Anyone wanting to neutralise the effect just needs to give the rooms a lick of paint and change the floor coverings. Further improvements could be made by opening up the sunny conservatory and kitchen into one big area. But in the meantime, there are quaint touches to enjoy - such as the pull-out box at the back porch which family members used to balance on to clean their shoes. 

Downstairs, there's a rumpus room and extra toilet, as well as a huge amount of storage space. There's also a double garage and a secure carport for a further two vehicles. Visitor parking is enormous, with an area of concreted off-street parking that appears larger than many of Auckland's cross-lease sections. The mature garden is extensive - with beautiful rose bushes out the front, and fruit trees, complete with singing tui, at the rear. 

Bruce has wonderful memories of the house from growing up there. When he was a child there were frequent neighbourhood parties and community bonfires for Guy Fawkes. 

He also used to walk his pet lambs to primary school for show days. 

While pet lambs may look somewhat incongruous on the property today, there is further potential to explore. The current set-up would suit an extended family, or the section could be redeveloped to include further homes. 

Vital Statistics: 

BEDROOMS: 7 

BATHROOMS: 3 

GARAGE: 2 

SIZE: Land 2608sq m. 

PRICE INDICATION: CV (2005) $1.35 million. Auction May 17. 

INSPECT: Wed/Sat/Sun 3-3.45pm. 

CONTACT: Robyn Preece, Barfoot & Thompson Mt Eden, ph 638 9158 bus, 021 936 080. 

FEATURES: Enormous section at the end of a quiet, no-exit street in Mt Roskill Grammar zone. Solid family home, plus additional income through two flats. Mature garden. Fantastic for extended family or for redevelopment.