Elevation, privacy and its leafy setting among stately mature trees attracted Monica and Chris Cotter to their property in one of Epsom's dress-circle streets 25 years ago.
The couple, who had been living in Grafton, had eyed the Mountain Rd property for some years before they bought it in 1986 when their children were still at primary school.
"The house and its grounds had always attracted us so, when we were looking to move, we approached the owner even though it was not on the market," says Monica. A house swap secured the deal and the Cotters then lived in their new home for two years before beginning an extensive, year-long renovation which has almost doubled the house's size.
Renowned Auckland architect Horace Massey designed the award-winning house, which was built in 1947 on land originally part of a 4ha estate owned by Professor Withiel Thomas. Thomas held the first chair in Botany at the-then Auckland University College and was responsible for planting several trees on his property, which was subdivided into eight sections in the 1940s. Thanks to his foresight, the Cotters have inherited magnificent specimens, including a large oak, jacaranda, ginkgo, magnolia and three pohutukawa.
