The co-owner of a Ponsonby bar got a kick out of discovering the villa he bought to reinvent was rumoured to have operated as a sly grog house for a spell.
Long Room's co-owner Richard Bagnall knows a bit about renovations as they've helped keep his 6-year-old bar-restaurant feeling fashionably contemporary.
"When I saw through this villa I could see it had lots of potential, so it was interesting to hear it had a bit of a history as well."
When he viewed the early 1900s villa before buying it, he saw a list of alcohol prices written on a wall inside a cupboard.
"I was told this place used to operate as a sly grog house where people who wanted a drink after closing time would come."
Another thing which struck Richard was the sunniness of the north-facing villa's grounds.
"I came around at about two o'clock in the afternoon and stood in the rear grounds for a while. Even though it was around this time of year I think I would have got sunburnt if I'd stayed out there longer than 10 minutes."
Having been involved in renovations at the bar and in homes he and wife Ivona have owned, Richard wanted to spearhead a larger project. He bought this villa around a year ago specifically to restore, modify and modernise for resale.
He knew working closely with a good builder would be key, choosing Marvin Rasmussen of MLR Construction for his strong team, workmanship and attention to detail.
Richard says: "We elevated the house to excavate the garage and downstairs, then lowered it back to its original level. We changed the layout and created more spacious living by extending the rear. And we redid the interior throughout, which looked like it had been last renovated in the 50s or 60s."
Image 1 of 5: Sly groggers once hung out here but today this is a sleek, thoroughly contemporary pad -- all above board and legal
The property is towards the end of a cul-de-sac handy to Jervois Rd and with Ponsonby Intermediate and its fields across the road. Its front had been upgraded with slatted front fencing incorporating a remote-controlled gate. Parking has been boosted from a single spot to an internal-access single garage downstairs plus secure tandem offstreet parking.
New entrance stairs inset with outdoor lighting lead to the upper level's front door. Inside, there's stained American oak flooring and central heating.
Like all the bathrooms here, the front bay-window master suite's ensuite offers a choice of shower heads and a marble-topped vanity. Its fully outfitted walk-in wardrobe has a pull-down ladder to access attic space.
Two more bedrooms on this level have a sophisticated bathroom with marble tiled wall. Its mirror incorporates LED strip lighting through the wet area, suiting gents who shave in the shower.
The hallway, with full height-pivoting door, opens to the light-filled rear kitchen-dining-living area with gas fireplace.
"I really like this space; it's warm, light and private with a lovely outlook."
This living and the second living-media room open wide to a private garden retreat with lawn.
One of several remote-controlled skylights floods light into the polished kitchen. Three copper lights hang above its Italian marble-clad island. Its splashback's white tiles are reminiscent of the texture of snakeskin.
Teardrop lights illuminate the batten-sided stairwell leading to a downstairs bedroom with en suite. Having its own entrance enhances its suitability for a home office, guest suite or an independent teenager's space. A linen cupboard opposite the Bosch-outfitted laundry is a portion of the home's generous storage.
Richard is delighted with the villa's transformation, toasting progress along the way by hosting some of the building team at Long Room.
