Pride of Gummer's aunt in Mt Eden

621 Mt eden Road, Mt Eden. Photo / Ted Baghurst.

621 MT EDEN RD MT EDEN

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SIZE: Land 1098sq m; house approx 252sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $1.3 million. Expressions of interest close Wednesday, April 6, 4pm (unless sold prior).

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm.

ON THE WEB: uprealty.co.nz/UPM10805

SCHOOL ZONES: Maungawhau Primary, Auckland Normal Intermediate, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls' Grammar.

CONTACT: Colleen Strachan and Lisa Pringle, UP Mt Eden, ph 021 283 6194 (Colleen) and 0274 904 900 (Lisa).

FEATURES: 1914 William Gummer-designed cottage style-bungalow with multiple living areas opening to spacious rear outdoor living; veranda, heated pool and spa between pergola-covered terrace and triple garage with big asphalt terrace area and lawns.

Those familiar with the work of architect William Gummer won't be surprised by the charming detailing throughout this 1914 home he designed for his aunt.

More of a surprise is how peaceful the rear outdoor living is, given that the property is on Mt Eden Rd.

Lynne McCarthy remembers the wonderful pre-settlement "briefing" she got in the mid-90s from the then owner. The Grigor family lived in this house for 46 years, with Dr Renton Grigor operating his practice from here. His widow, Mrs Grigor, thoughtfully invited Lynne for morning tea, giving her a run-down of the property, including the internal staircase off its octagonal lobby.

"The fourth stair is the best, dear," she advised. "What's it best for?" asked Lynne. "Well, for giving speeches from when you have parties," Mrs Grigor recommended.

Lynne's husband, Joseph Gillard, is a property valuer with a strong interest in architecture, so the home appealed to him immediately. It was also in great school zones for their two children.

Gummer is seen as one of New Zealand's foremost architects, having designed buildings such as Queen St's Dilworth Building and Auckland Railway Station. He named this home Champtaloup House after he designed it for his aunt Miss Champtaloup, shortly after returning from training in England under Arts and Crafts master Edwin Lutyens.

The one-and-a-half storey weatherboard cottage-style bungalow, with a gabled Marseilles-tile roof, has been lovingly renovated by Lynne and Joseph. The property has a Category II listing with the Historic Places Trust and has been upgraded with input from Trust advisers and Auckland architect Mal Bartleet.

The home sits up from the road and away from the traffic, with a side driveway leading round to the rear triple garage. Visitors are welcomed into the large octagonal lobby alongside the staircase.

Lynne remembers being besotted with the rear sitting room from first sight. Its walls are clad in stained cedar, with an inglenook fireplace incorporating neat glass-doored cupboards and a gas fire in a finely worked surround. There are leadlights above French doors to the rear veranda, which was once totally enclosed, but has been returned to its original open state. The study also opens to the veranda and features custom-made book-shelving and built-in desks, including a hidden cupboard. Axminster carpet continues in the front formal dining room with wood-burning fire.

The kitchen/informal dining/family room is an open-plan expanse with polished floors. The kitchen is highly functional with pantry and dishwashers, but melds well with the home's character, thanks to touches such as tongue-and-groove cabinetry and plate racks.

In summer, the family lives with the back of the house opened up to the veranda and outdoors. As well as a bedroom opening to the rear, this level has a family bathroom and laundry.

Upstairs offers three bedrooms plus access to big under-roof storage. The master bedroom, with en suite, centres on a fine free-standing wooden headboard.

The expansive rear grounds include a heated in-ground pool and spa nestled between a pergola-topped terrace and the garage. An expansive flat asphalted terrace, where the kids used to ride their bikes, is backed by lawns.

Now their children are older the couple is downsizing.