St Heliers

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR

Undoubtedly one of Auckland's grand old lady suburbs, St Heliers has everything that reflects all that is great about the city - history, a sense of grandeur, an interesting demographic composition and a social structure that comprises both old and new wealth.

There is little point in looking seriously at this suburb for a residence unless you have substantial cash to invest. Average prices for two-bedroom units are now in the $300,000 to $400,000 bracket. A family home will sell for around $750,000, while the more exclusive homes will fetch from $1.5 million to anything in the many millions range. Property values are very much influenced by proximity to the magnificent beach.

St Heliers is a true maritime village. As Robyn Larsen, of Barfoot & Thompson, St Heliers, says, the area was built with a true village atmosphere. Indeed, "it is a relatively small suburb with the beach as its northern boundary and St Heliers Bay Rd forming a natural southern ridge. Houses are built running up from the beach, with many having spectacular harbour and Rangitoto views".

Another aspect of the area is its close proximity to the city, yet its distinct departure from inner-city living. On a clear drive, it is about 15 minutes from St Heliers to the CBD.

The suburb has the large Vellenoweth Green reserve at its centre, next to the bowling, croquet and tennis clubs - all of which are very popular with locals. The green is known to many Aucklanders as the culmination of the famous annual Round the Bays fun run, but also hosts other events, such as children's triathlons and vintage car displays.

The Dingle Dell bush reserve was gifted at the beginning of the last century and includes numerous walking paths and a short cut to the village for the owners of nearby homes.

Peter Best, franchise owner, Ray White, Eastern Bays, agrees with this assessment, noting that Dingle Dell is "a reserve that protects the historic, archaeological and wildlife values of the area". There are excellent community facilities, sporting clubs and quality schools, including Glendowie College, Selwyn College, St Heliers Bay Primary School and Churchill Park.

Shops include a number of boutique stores, while supermarkets and department stores are a five-minute drive. Cafes and up-market restaurants, many of them on the waterfront, are abundant.

Although expensive, New Zealand's recent exchange rate trends have made St Heliers attractive to a number of relocating ex-pats, as well as new immigrants and other overseas buyers. As Best says: "A large number of residents move within the suburb, or from neighbouring suburbs. Many change for lifestyle reasons, with the older, long-term owners of many of the homes on bigger sections trading down to apartments or relocating to retirement complexes, such as Grace Joel." For most of the residents though, as Larsen says: "There is something about a seaside suburb. When the water is so visible, it's relaxing."

FACT FILE

In a survey by Peter Best, franchise owner, Ray White, Eastern Bays, of sales in St Heliers from January 2004 to May 2004, there were 133 properties sold (approximately 27 sales a month) with the median price at $675,000 and the average price $800,000. An analysis of the sales shows that there is very little available in units for under $300,000, with premium apartments selling for up to $2.5 million. A townhouse sells for anywhere between $400,000 and $2.5 million and residential homes range from $400,000 to more than $4 million. Of the 133 sales reported, 21 percent (28 sales) were sold for more than $1 million and 54 percent (72 sales) were sold for between $500,000 and $1 million. Overall, 75 percent of sales sold for more than $500,000.