Property Report: So you want to live in... Mt Albert

A view from the summit of Mt Albert/Owairaka. Photo / Chris Skelton

Ashley Campbell visits a long-established suburb with mixed-bag amenities.

Mt Albert is one of Auckland's oldest suburbs. Named after the volcanic cone at the centre of Mt Albert Owairaka Domain, it was the city's second suburb to be settled after Remuera.

In the 19th century, it was a place of grand houses in acres of land. Some of them still remain, the most well-known being Ferndale and Alberton Houses - Ferndale now used as a wedding and function venue, while Alberton is owned by the Historic Places Trust and serves as a window back to a more gracious era for visitors.

The suburb's major growth occurred between the two world wars, when Mt Albert Borough became New Zealand's largest borough, with a population of more than 20,000 in 1932. This is obvious now in the many of the suburb's restored bungalows.

One resident who can remember it during its boom is Sir Harold Marshall, who started school at Gladstone Primary School in 1931 (now it's the country's largest primary school). He still lives in the home that his great-grandfather built in 1867, and which his great uncle first substantially altered in 1916.

He remembers referring to the Mt Albert shops on New North Rd as "the terminus". "That was because the trams [from the CBD] originally stopped there."

Unfortunately, that shopping area has been in a state of decline over recent decades. "Easily the worst aspects of Mt Albert are the shops and shopping precinct on New North Rd that are a complete eyesore," says Mt Albert Grammar Headmaster Dale Burden. "Even the students agree with that."

Sir Harold reckons the decline of that particular area began with the amalgamation of Mt Albert Borough into Auckland City in 1989, but says there are now sure signs of regeneration and renewed community pride.

Further up New North Rd, in an area many locals refer to as "Alberton Village", David Meaghan owns Sal Rose restaurant, and is a landlord for several shops. He reckons there's a real community spirit returning, among landlords, tenants and residents alike.

"They feel proud of the area they are in and they want to take care of it."Mt Albert is demographically and economically mixed, with a range of housing from small units to larger homes in its very desirable "Golden Triangle" - roughly bordered by the mountain, Alberton Ave and New North Rd.

Everyone speaks of the sense of community - "Many of the streets have regular street barbecues," says Burden - the excellent schools, tertiary institutions and the proximity to the CBD.

Then there are the local facilities. "Mt Albert adjoins iconic Auckland features, including the Auckland Zoo, Motat, Western Springs lake and parkland," says Catherine Goodwin of Ray White Mt Albert.

And transport is another plus. "It has excellent public transport with regular bus services to the city, Pt Chevalier and Henderson," says Anne Duncan of Anne Duncan Real Estate. "Trains run through Mt Albert on the Waitakere-Auckland route." And Mt Albert train station is scheduled for a major upgrade, to be completed by next April.

Property prices
At entry level, a two-bedroom unit of around 60sq m on a cross-leased section costs from $285,000 to around $500,000. A mid-level three- to four-bedroom home on a section of 400-800sq m costs from $500,000-$800,000. And a top-end four- to six-bedroom house on a section of up to 1500sq m will cost from $800,000 to more than $1 million.

Rents
A two-bedroom rental costs from $300-$430 a week, rising to $360-$520 for three bedrooms and $580 to $900 for four bedrooms or more.

Best streets
Kitenui and Alberton Ave, Summit Dr, Allendale and Stilwell Rds and Sadgrove Tce.

Schools in the area
Marist Primary, Hebron Christian College, Mt Albert Primary, Owairaka Primary and Gladstone School; Kowhai Intermediate; Mt Albert Grammar School, Marist College.

Where to: Step back in time
Alberton House, 100 Mt Albert Rd. Ph 846 7367
The original home of the Kerr-Taylors, this grand 18-room timber mansion was given to the Historic Places Trust in 1972. It's now open to the public 10.30am - 4.30pm Wednesday - Sunday, offering the chance to view much of its original furniture, family possessions, and even some of the remaining 19th-century wallpaper.

Where to: Splash about
Mt Albert Aquatic Centre, 38 Alberton Ave. Ph 815 7005
Whether you want to train in the 25m competition pool, play underwater hockey, learn to swim in the teaching pool, take the kids for a paddle in the toddlers' pool, slide down the hydroslide, jump up and down in the wave pool, have a spa or sauna, or sweat it out in a steam room, this is the place for water-based fun.

Where to: Shoot arrows
Mountain Green Archery Club, Mt Albert-Owairaka Domain, Summit Dr, Mt Albert. Ph 827 5379, Email: lynnbrott@clear.net.nz
Mountain Green Archery Club began during the 1940s in the Mt Albert Owairaka Domain, with its archery range in the former quarry pit. It caters for all levels of archers, from beginners to Olympic competitors, and all forms of archery including compound, recurve, crossbow and longbow. The adult coaching line is on Saturday mornings, the junior coaching line on Sunday mornings.

* From the New Zealand Herald's quarterly 'Property Report' - a guide to house prices and great places to live.