SCHOOL ZONES:
Victoria Avenue School, Remuera Intermediate, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls’ Grammar.
CONTACT:
Lisa MacQueen and Verena Lobb, Barfoot & Thompson, 524 0149, or 021 221 8622 (Lisa) or 027 522 0773 (Verena)
AUCTION:
Wed Nov 16, 10am.
The Ingram family's rather stately home looks as if it has been presiding over one of Remuera's finest streets for the best part of a century.
So it comes as a surprise to learn the grand two-storey brick house is only 20 years old.
The late Sir John and Lady Ingram had the house in Glenbrook St built in 1996 after they downsized from their previous home, which sat on an acre and a half on Remuera Rd.
They wanted less land but were so fond of the former house, built in the 1920s, that they got architects Warren and Mahoney to replicate many of its details.
That's why the Glenbrook house has curved windows, an upstairs sunroom, a covered patio and even a rose garden. Tiles and a striking stair lamp were even brought from Remuera Rd to this house.
"There was so much they loved about the old house, they wanted the same things here," says their daughter Joan.
But building from scratch also gave the architects the chance to incorporate some more modern design features, such as the glass atrium roof above the upstairs landing, which floods the house with light.
And while John and Rosemary may have downsized when it came to land - although the garden is still generous - the new house is as big as the old one.
John and Rosemary moved into residential care two years ago and since then various family members have lived in the house, with Edwina's daughter Joan, her husband Marty and their baby daughter Florence the most recent occupants.
"It's been so fantastic to live here," says Joan. "It's such a beautiful house, with so much space. And the location is just great - I can just walk up Victoria Ave with the pram to the Remuera shops."
Even closer are the Victoria Ave shops, which include a butchers and superette, and there are also several reserves a short walk away.
Warren and Mahoney did a great job of replicating not only many of the architectural features of the old house, but the charm and grace of that bygone era.
Tastefully decorated by Rosemary, who had a strong creative streak, the house is the epitome of elegance. The rooms are all classically styled and generously proportioned, with high ceilings. Many have floor to ceiling windows.
Even the stairs are wide and the entrance lobby is large, making it clear to visitors that this is a house on a grand scale.
The living areas are on the north-facing side, looking out over the private established garden which was created by Rosemary's niece, noted landscape designer Joanna Hamilton.
The spacious drawing room, with its eye-catching semi-circular windows, was perfect for family occasions, while the smaller living room next door used to house toys for when the children came over.
The kitchen also has a striking curved window and space for an informal dining table. There is a separate formal dining room, which was ideal for entertaining, and a study which has an en suite bathroom, so it could double as a guest bedroom or accommodation for an au pair.
The upper level has four double bedrooms and one single, along with a family bathroom.
The master bedroom comes with an en suite, a huge dressing room and a sunroom that can also be accessed from one of the other bedrooms.
Joan and Marty used the sunroom as a nursery for Florence.
The sunroom is a lovely place to sit and relax in the afternoon, and enjoys a view across Hobson Bay, as do the two neighbouring bedrooms.
Joan and her family have moved out to their own home, so it is time for the house to have new owners.
