Rosehill reigns on the ridge

625 Remuera Road, Remuera. Photo / Ted Baghurst

625 REMUERA RD, REMUERA

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SIZE: Land ½ share of 738sq m, house 281sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $900,000.

INSPECT: Sun 3pm-3.30pm. Auction May 28

ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/1650412

SCHOOL ZONES: Meadowbank School, Remuera Intermediate

CONTACT: Gary Wallace, ph 0274 988 585; Vicki Wallace, ph 021 988 585

With elegant Georgian-style architecture and brick construction, Rosehill is a local landmark, sitting atop a ridge and commanding views of Rangitoto to the north.

Built in the 1930s, it hints at a gracious era, and that struck a chord with the present owner, who bought the property more than 25 years ago.

"I could see and appreciate its unique features and the elegance of a bygone era," he says. "I'm very interested in the Georgian period and this is a very Georgian-style home. Everything I have done I have done to the period and with accuracy. "

His interest is obviously shared by others as he says he "long ago lost count of the number of people who have knocked at the very distinctive front door seeking entry for the purpose of viewing its classical architecture and original period fittings and embellishments".

The owner says he has not been able to establish who designed the home but has been told it was built for Jack Potter, a prominent landowner and businessman of the day who sited the home so his views could not be built out.

When the present owner bought the property some of its character features had been altered or removed. He has sourced fittings and decorative items from as far afield as England to restore the home to its former glory.

Sitting behind a brick wall on the road frontage, the home has a striking brick facade with arched windows on the ground floor and arched doors on the upper level opening to wrought iron Juliet balconies. A flag fluttering on a lofty flagpole draws the eye to the brick turret, beneath which is an arched entrance. Straight ahead is the main door, while to the left a second door was added so that the downstairs could be used as professional rooms. This space has now reverted to a drawing room, with elegant Art Deco fireplace, and an adjoining dining room. A high stud with ornate plaster ceiling roses and cornices enhance the stately feel. The layout - with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen on each floor - makes it extremely flexible.

Image 1 of 6: 625 Remuera Road, Remuera. Photo / Ted Baghurst

A curved timber handrail invites you upstairs, where there is another lounge/dining room with a fireplace. Again, beautiful plasterwork is on display as is some of the period-style wallpaper sourced from England that features throughout the home.

On the southern side, the owner had a tiled terrace with pergola added, with the downstairs kitchen used to service guests' needs. Designed in the style of the home by Doug Treseder, of Sargent & Smith & Partners, the terrace screening draws they eye to the views to the south. It has gas heating and is lit by antique gaslights retrofitted with electric bulbs.

Ill health is forcing the owner to sell a home that he envisaged seeing out his years in.