SCHOOL ZONES:
Ponsonby Primary, Ponsonby Intermediate, AGG, Western Springs College.
CONTACT:
Suzie Paine or Simon Smith, Bayleys, 021 976 008 (Suzie) or 027 492 1698 (Simon).
AUCTION:
June 10 (unless sold prior).
Long ago, part of this property was earmarked for a road but it dodged that fate to become home for a family now based in New York.
Barbara Hunt, who bought here with husband Gerard van Bohemen nearly 18 years ago, says the address' second title is a 211sq m eastern strip that was "going to be part of a road that went from Hackett St to Ring Terrace but, in the end, they put the road in further down".
The couple moved from the other side of Ponsonby with two young sons in 1997 seeking space, a sunny home and Ponsonby Primary School zoning.
"As soon as I saw the garden I was impressed by how established it was, with lovely nikau and other trees plus a magnificent staghorn, which we used to feed banana skins. The expanse of land around the house is quite unusual and offers lots of potential."
The weatherboard villa harks from around the turn of the 20th century. It has character features such as fretwork and a return veranda plus typically circa-1970s modifications such as where previous owners "popped its top" to create an upper level.
The couple envisaged one day totally renovating it but were both busy lawyers when they moved here, and focused on enjoying family time.
"It was the sort of house that could accommodate lots of children, inside and out. The more boisterous occasions had children galloping round the house, in the front door and out on to the patio garden," says Barbara.
Image 1 of 9: Attractive city fringe property is big enough for you to make your mark
"In the summer we had a water slide from the front door down to the other end of the garden."
They lived here during their sons' early childhood and when work took them to Wellington they let the property so they could return to it. However, it never suited; Gerard moved into senior positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Barbara practised as a Wellington barrister.
They're selling Hackett St as they're now based in the US as Gerard is taking over from Jim McLay as Permanent Representative to the New Zealand Mission to the United Nations. A mature hedge shields the property, which is a minute's drive from the Auckland Harbour Bridge and two minutes from Ponsonby.
Boundaries could be re-aligned but the double garage with workshop space and vege patch behind it sits on the second title.
Flourishing front gardens harbouring the enormous staghorn fern preface the home, which has gas central heating.
The villa sits between a paved patio and level lawn interspersed with mature trees. Barbara has happy memories of their children giving concerts in the big, sunny living room, which opens to verandas.
The room has a bay window, wood-burning fire and a native timber floor. The native timber floor features through much of this level.
The timber-panelled dining room and neighbouring kitchen are in keeping with circa-1970s renovations. The hallway feeds two big bedrooms, one neighbouring a little room that could be a dressing room, a bathroom and a stairway atrium.
Upstairs, a bridge links three bedrooms including one that could be a lovely playroom and the master with en suite and walk-in wardrobe. There's a basement cellar and workshop space.
"It's taken us all this time to let go and accept we won't be coming back," says Barbara.
