Oasis of the first order in Grey Lynn

350 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn. Photo / Supplied

350 RICHMOND RD GREY LYNN

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SIZE: Land 2923sq m, house approx 303sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $3.58 million. Tender closes November 4.

INSPECT: Sunday 2.00pm-2.45pm and Wed 1.00pm-1.45pm.

ON THE WEB: www.kellands.co.nz/41398

SCHOOL ZONES: Richmond Rd School, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College and Auckland Girls' Grammar.

CONTACT: Fiona Mackenzie, ph 021 96 8880, or Martin Dobson, ph 021 376 952, Kellands.

FEATURES: The original concrete villa of Grey Lynn's Warnock estate, built circa 1877. Gracious rooms, two living areas and French doors to enormous garden. Separate, self-contained cottage on-site and large shed for tools. Located a short walk from West Lynn's shops and cafes.

Grey Lynn couple Colleen and Stephen are only the second owners of their home - no mean feat considering their landmark, two-storey house was built 123 years ago.

Sixteen years ago, the couple were living with their young children Bridget, Lizzie and Max in St Marys Bay when the opportunity came up to buy this property, the original Warnock homestead, one of the much-admired concrete villas on Richmond Rd.

"We were lucky enough to buy the house from the Warnock family who built it," says Stephen. According to Stephen and Colleen's research, the house was built by Richard Warnock, who came with his parents and siblings from Belfast in 1862. "We have the original deed by which he gifted the land to his wife, Mary, in 1885," says Stephen.

The house was built in 1887 and Richard and Mary Warnock raised seven children here. Richard's younger brother Robert built the concrete house next door a couple of years later, while the Warnocks also built a single-storey concrete villa across the road at the intersection of Peel and Kingsley streets and Richmond Rd, in about 1912.

At one time the Warnocks' estate was about 8ha in size and included the family's soap and candle factory further down Richmond Rd. Stephen describes his family's home as a "distinguished house".

"Some old houses have a special vibe about them, and this is true of 350 Richmond Rd. It has been well-loved."

During their time here, Colleen and Stephen have re-wired, painted and repaired damaged kauri floorboards. They retained the original footprint of the house, but changed the use of the spaces to suit the way families live today. Gracious rooms that flank the central entrance hall on the upper level are now spacious bedrooms, but they would have originally been the drawing room and a dining room.

In total, there are four bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, with a further bathroom downstairs. The end of the upstairs hall culminates in a balcony that overlooks the garden and the Ponsonby ridge line.

Working in collaboration with architect Nicholas Stevens, Colleen and Stephen made some changes to improve the flow of the house, including the direction of the staircase so there's an inviting progression from the entry down to living areas on the lower level. From two bookshelf-lined living rooms and a dining room, French doors open on to the expansive grounds.

The garden is something to behold. At almost 3000sq m, it feels like you're in the countryside rather than the city. There's an abundance of fruit trees, as well as sculptural conifers and other species. Stephen and a colleague work from a stand-alone cottage in the garden. Colleen says the house and its garden have been a huge attraction for friends and children over the years. "Children have loved going down the hill on their bikes and trolleys," she says.

Stephen adds it's been the best party house in Auckland - even for family of the original owners in recent times. "We were visited by the extended Warnock family who came together for a picnic on the lawn.

"There's still a special connection between the Warnocks and the house they occupied for more than 100 years."

Colleen and Stephen and their family also have a deep connection here, but with Bridget and Lizzie living overseas and Max now in his early 20s, it's time for new owners to look after this very special property. Says Colleen: "We love it desperately, but it needs a young family like we had."