Orakei - Added value

6 Titai St, Orakei.

If real estate is about location, then this property occupies one of Auckland's best.

Two doors up from Paritai Drive, two doors down from Fenton Circle, the 1044sq m property is in two unit titles and includes a two-storey, four-bedroom 1936 Tudor-style house in front and an early 1960s architect-designed double apartment in the back.

Most of the $3.58 million valuation is in the land. Celia Porter bought the property five years ago with thoughts of bringing the house back to its original state, but circumstances change and much remains to be done.

Coming in the front door there is a generous entry hall with a large living room to the right. That room is lit by a large bay window along the north wall. The wall facing the street has only two small windows, and is dominated by a large fireplace.

The kitchen area has been remodelled and opened out, with a wide door leading to a dining room. A compact bathroom has been built in a space under the staircase.

To the left of the front door is an extension to the garage area. While it may have made sense in the 1930s, a buyer today may well use the space for a bathroom or an additional living area.

Upstairs are the bedrooms and a separate toilet and bathroom awaiting reconstruction. Most of the wiring upstairs has been redone. There are views back over Okahu Bay and Bastion Point.

The house has matai floors, heart rimu joinery and a concrete tile roof. Celia says the house was owned by one family from 1940 until she bought it, but was rented since the early 1960s, when the owner moved into one of the rear apartments.

The apartments are a surprise. Currently clad in red-painted timber, the building looks basic and boxy from the outside. But inside the rooms are large, the spaces flow into each other, and there has been a lot of thought put into the built-in cabinets and cupboards.

The top flat looks west towards the city, over the neighbour's trees. The bottom flat doesn't have the view, but looks on to a neat triangle of lawn.

The upstairs apartment includes an en suite bathroom beside a guest bedroom, unusual for a property of its vintage. There is also a large sun deck to soak up the afternoon heat.

Porter says both houses have been comfortable to live in, and the location is ideal.

``You can walk to the beach, or along to shops and cafes, and it's only a 10-minute drive to the city,'' she says.

Agent Bob Gordon says its buyer has a range of options, from refurbishing the properties in their existing styles to moving the house further forward, or even starting from scratch.

The house has a 2B zoning, so potential buyers will need to consult the council about possibilities.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 9

BATHROOMS: 5

GARAGES: 4

SIZE: Land 1044sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV (2005) $3.58 million. Tenders close August 31.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm.

ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz # 345012

CONTACT: Bob Gordon or Kathy Bower, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 027 475 9025(Bob), 021 928 648 (Kathy), 528 0775 bus.

FEATURES: Large section, two unit titles, large handsome house and architect-designed apartments. Orakei dress circle location with views.