SCHOOL ZONES:
Parnell School, Auckland Grammar, Epsom Girls’ Grammar.
CONTACT:
Lesley McLellan, Ray White, 027 453 5070 or 520 9100.
AUCTION:
Dec 7, 5pm.
*OSP for two cars
There was a time when New Zealand used to be known as the quarter-acre paradise. But for most Aucklanders, especially those who live in the inner suburbs, the days of owning a large section are a distant memory.
So Lydia and Ian Smith have long appreciated how lucky they are to not only have a quarter-acre section, but for it to be a couple of kilometres from the city centre.
In 1979, during the petrol shortage, they were looking for a house close to Ian's job at Auckland University; the fact the house they found in Parnell was on more than 1000sq m was a bonus.
"It was back when there were car-less days, so we wanted to be close enough for Ian to walk to work," says Lydia. "Even once car-less days ended, we still walked everywhere."
In the 37 years that they've lived in the house, many of the neighbouring properties have been subdivided, but they had no desire to lose their generous back garden.
"We know how fortunate we have been to have this much space," says Lydia, surveying her garden, which has an abundance of fruit trees and a native garden alongside an al fresco dining area in the front.
They also have been lucky to have Alberon Reserve just about on their front doorstep, and for the house to be in an elevated position with a peep of the sea from the front veranda.
But though the location and size of the section were ideal, the house itself wasn't exactly the perfect family home. It had been divided into three flats, and needed a lot of work to return it to the gracious villa it once was.
Ian and Lydia hired an architect to help with the transformation, which was tackled in 1980. It was turned back into a charming four-bedroom home with two living rooms, two bathrooms and a large kitchen/dining room.
The kitchen was extended to create more space, and a deck built next to it.
"In summer we eat just about every meal out there," says Lydia. When it came to reconfiguring the bathroom, the Smiths took the bold step of setting the bath into an alcove surrounded by windows.
"It's completely private, and lovely to lie there and look out the window," says Lydia. She and Ian were thankful that many of the period features weren't removed or tampered with when the house was converted into flats.
As a result their home, which dates back to 1904, still has original kauri and matai floors, board and batten ceilings, tongue and groove panelling, sash windows and two stunning Edwardian fireplaces.
The previous owner left four doors with coloured glass windows under the house so Ian and Lydia got their builder to reinstate them. Other original doors were turned into double doors that provide access to a cupboard and the bathroom.
There are two bedrooms upstairs, and a further two downstairs, both with doors leading outside, so they could be ideal work-from-home spaces. One of the downstairs rooms has a kitchenette and en suite bathroom, a legacy from when son Nick decided he'd had enough of flatting and moved home for a while.
The house was a great place to bring up Nick and his sister Meg, says Lydia, particularly as Parnell Primary is at the end of the road.
The cul-de-sac is safe for children and it's a very friendly neighbourhood, with everyone in the street gathering in Alberon Reserve for a party once a year.
Parnell Baths are just a couple of minutes away, and it's an easy walk to the Gladstone Rd shops, which include a butcher, pharmacy, cafe and dairy.
