SCHOOL ZONES:
Freemans Bay School, Ponsonby Intermediate, Auckland Girls’ Grammar, Western Springs College.
CONTACT:
John Wills, 021 333 053 , Nic Blackie, 021 505 964, Custom Residential.
Over the years, Philip Burley has bought and renovated a few properties around central Auckland.
An accountant by trade, he enjoys the process of giving character homes a new lease of life.
Philip took on this home in Picton St when Layne Stephens alerted him that it was on the market. Stephens, a childhood mate of Philip's, has also carved out a reputation for buying and renovating character homes and buildings.
Philip could see the potential in redeveloping the three-level home, which sits down from the street on a sloping site with a north-facing backyard.
"It had been a flat that was tenanted with six people so it was a bit scruffy but not that bad and had been given what looked like an 80s do-up," says Philip.
He and his partner Fiona sold up their home and -- with daughters Amber and Phoebe -- rented places or stayed with parents while the home went through a nine-month overhaul overseen by Jones Architects, before they moved in during October 2010.
The plan was to "stay within the envelope" of the original building although the layout of the home has been changed dramatically to create better flow and more open spaces, more light and a greater connection with the outdoors. As part of the project, walls and doorways have been moved, the floor in the living area has been rebuilt on the one level, the roofline raised in the master bedroom to accommodate more windows, and the front and back yards landscaped. A staircase was installed off the upstairs deck to connect with the lawned backyard.
Image 1 of 4: A self-contained lower level is a bonus in a character house that's big on light and flow, writes Graham Hepburn
Though the layout of the home has been altered, some character features, such as pressed steel ceilings and leadlight windows, have been retained. From the street, a path winds down to the home's middle-level entry. On this level, the open-plan family room/kitchen opens via stacking sliding doors to a wide, north-facing deck with views over the surrounding neighbourhood. An electric awning provides shade on the eastern side of the deck. The modern kitchen -- in whites with black overhead cabinetry -- has a scullery tucked in one corner to provide extra oomph when entertaining.
On the other side of the entrance, an office with laundry slotted in one end prefaces a bathroom and bedroom.
"All the bedrooms are en suited in one way or another," says Philip.
A wide staircase with leadlight window framed on the landing lead to the the top floor where the girls' bedrooms are either side of and have access to a corner bathroom. The master bedroom occupies the northeast corner of the house and has an en suite and walk-in wardrobe. Bifold windows open the room to the outdoors.
The downstairs level is self-contained with its own entrance and has kitchen, lounge, bathroom and bedroom. It opens out to the carport and on down to the small back lawn.
The family's next stop is a concrete transitional villa in Grey Lynn's Schofield St, which Philip has been renovating and extending.
"It started off as a project but we kind of fell in love with it along the way," he says, "We've loved living here but the new pace has things like a swimming pool and the park next door that will be great for the kids."
