SCHOOL ZONES:
New Lynn School, Blockhouse Bay Intermediate, Green Bay School.
CONTACT:
Jared Cooksley, 021 913 518, or Jared Hards, 021 865 325, Ray White
AUCTION:
1.30pm, October 1, onsite (unless sold prior).
*1 covered area, 3 off-street.
Bryan and Judy Pentecost's classic property is the sort of place buyers fall head over heels about.
The couple bought this New Lynn spread 17 years ago; a 1950s red brick and tile dripping with classical detailing in whopping 1482sq m near-level grounds.
Judy says: "We moved from a Titirangi house that was spread over seven levels on the cold side of a hill so we wanted somewhere that was warm on the flat."
Electrician Bryan, who's in the process of retiring, says: "It was probably one of the first houses built on an angle on its section for the sun. It's warm in winter and cool in summer."
Those who grew up around here knew it as somewhere special; built in 1950 by Avondale builder Andrew Gillanders and sold to the Bank of New Zealand as a bank manager's residence.
Fast forward to the present day and the big site on the corner of Craigbank Avenue and Hutchinson Avenue is zoned mixed housing suburban. It's handy to New Lynn with its redeveloped train station and Lynn Mall, including its Brickworks dining lane and Reading Cinemas.
"The unusual thing about this property is the sense of space," Judy says. "Our grandchildren have loved running around these grounds over the years."
When they bought here in 1999 it was a near-original deceased estate shrouded by overgrown trees, harbouring a mix of original features ranging from retainable gems to old-time oddities. The latter included a Hayman Combination Laundry Unit of boiler, tub, wringer and ironing board, which they donated to Auckland Museum.
Image 1 of 7: This brick-and-tile beauty has land that may create a lot of development interest. Photos / David Rowland, Getty Images
Still humming today are the home's English-tinged ambience, original lights updated with LED lamps and polished heart rimu floors. So are fabulous patterned glass in various doors inside and out, and bluestone lined outdoor paths.
They bought here after their three children had left home but one of the first things they did was to have the property fully fenced.
Standard roses line the front path, there's a vege garden out back and a rocking horse swing and tyre swing hang from some of the property's mature pohutukawa trees.
The entrance foyer flows into a living room with a gas fire with heat transfer system to the three wardrobed bedrooms. The living room includes two sets of double doors providing an easy flow through the room to a dining room painted the colour of an imminently stormy sky.
The designer kitchen behind the dining room manages to complement the classical ambience while having top-end appliances. These include a modern imported Aga boasting gas hobs and two ovens, one gas and one electric.
A renovated family bathroom including a claw-foot bath, a powder room, separate laundry and two rear entrances including a cellar-storage area complete the layout of the home, which has a ventilation system.
A charming red brick garage fronted by off-street parking now sports french doors. It's been converted to two rooms; Bryan's workshop and an oil-painting studio for Judy, who temps as a receptionist these days.
The couple, who attended the same Ngatea schools but fell in love years later playing badminton, are ready to downsize.
