SCHOOL ZONES:
Stanley Bay Primary, Belmont Intermediate, Takapuna Grammar.
CONTACT:
Lynda Betts, Bayleys, 021 278 3024.
Avi and Miri Shaul reckon their beautiful villa was not just the worst house in the street, but the worst house in Devonport.
The transformation of the once-abandoned house has been an incredible journey for the couple from Israel.
While they initially had reservations about buying a wooden house, sayingin Israel most people live in concrete apartments, they have not only converted the house beyond its former glory but have been converted themselves.
They restored the house down to a seamless match to the large extension they added with the original kauri floors.
And, with the kauri they had left over when they rearranged some walls there is now a selection of beautiful kauri furniture, from the pantry to the dining table and there is even a kauri coat and shoe rack.
The items are open to negotiation because, after all, says Miri, they belong to the house.
The original house, dating from 1904, was tiny but the extension offers multiple wide open living spaces, including a wing that can be closed off and offers a range of options, from B&B to bringing in family.
But wait, there's more, says Avi, because upstairs an attic conversion has transformed an unused space into a large bedroom with en suite, walk-in wardrobe, and with skylight windows that operate on sensors.
Image 1 of 8: This modernised and extended villa provides everything a family could need. Photos / Fiona Goodall
There are plans for a final window that would give views over Ngataringa Bay.
When Avi and Miri decided to move to New Zealand, friends here said they should try Devonport.
They instantly loved the area but struggled over whether to buy the ramshackle villa on the corner of William Bond St and Waterview Rd (they have two addresses, says Miri) because of the "horrible" state it was in.
Intruders had moved in and kids called the house "the witch house". After they bought the fire service said: "We know you've bought a wreck" and asked if they could practise drills there.
Most people thought they were either "crazy or very brave", but the house was in a great location and once a friend in renovation heard where it was he told them to go for it.
They bought it at auction five years ago for $750,000 and have spent more than that restoring and adding to the house.
You couldn't touch anything because of the years of dust and grime that had built up but now there are four bathrooms and the house is immaculate.
Avi and Miri's two children are grown now -- their daughter has already left to study pharmacy and their doctor son will be leaving soon -- and the house is too big.
"Now it doesn't make sense to sit in this house; it's a huge one, the two of us and a dog," says Miri.
