Devonport: Dancing in Lovers' Lane

For the first time in 23 years this rambling character villa in one of New Zealand's most desirable locations is on the market.

15 Arawa Avenue, Devonport.

Regular walkers on Cheltenham Beach might be wondering where the tee-pee that is normally in the garden of this house has gone.

Owner Abby Gubay says she's packed it up because she and her husband Joe are moving to the United Kingdom, and it's joining them on the journey.

This rambling house sits behind an impressive volcanic stone wall, which Abby says was built to anchor the house on the site, containing its energy but not impeding views or access.

In the yard are hot and cold taps to feed hoses that can fill an outdoor bath, surrounded by avocado, macadamia and tamarillo trees.

The house was built in 1910, and when Joe moved in 23 years ago it had been converted into six flats. There was lots of bison board and "terrible aluminium joinery" that was out of keeping with the house.

But Abby says rather than rush a renovation to meet outside expectations they did things when they were happy with their ideas, and when the money was there.

"There was a lot of renovation going on in the whole neighbourhood and I'd see people stressed at the supermarket, and decided that I'd make do and not be frantic.

"And with six children between us we were busy, especially as two of them were born in the house," says Abby.

One of the priorities for the Gubay family was to take out all that aluminium joinery other materials that clashed with the house.

"With children we did not want any noxious materials in here."

Abby says they decided to make the kitchen the centre of the home - with 13 rooms, including five bedrooms, there was a need for a hub.

The kitchen is anchored by a wood burning stove, which is used for cooking as well as warming the radiators which heat the house.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the music room - a large space that has been used for recording by musician Joe. Its raised floor, to accommodate cables, and other studio features can be removed to restore it to its more formal origins.

Upstairs used to be a dance hall in the 1920s when the street was known as Lovers' Lane. The outside stairs used to access it were enclosed by the Gubay family and an atrium space was created at the back of the house.

Upstairs now contains the master bedroom with sea views, a lounge and computer suite for the children, an office and a bathroom.

Perhaps the best room of all is the giant family lounge downstairs. It opens onto the covered verandah leading to the lawn, and then through gates to the beach. This outdoor space lends itself to anything from a very big party, to somewhere to build a dinghy.

Abby says they've had lovely parties.

"My daughter had about 40 friends over recently and while I knew they were safe because they were at home, I hardly saw them.''

The family is moving because Joe wants to pursue his musical career in England. They have found a house similar to this one in Surrey.
Abby says they're sad to leave this house and so are their friends, many of whom treat it like theirs, in an extended family kind of way.

``Sometimes people would come over for a swim and end up staying for the whole weekend.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 1

SIZE: Land 954sq m, house 420sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV (2005) $3.9 million. Tenders close July 5.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz/450865

CONTACT: Victoria Bidwell, Bayleys, ph 489 0975, 021 947 080.

FEATURES: Rambling, rustic villa on Cheltenham beach with many character features. Large, versatile rooms, garage with separate loft, private, established garden.