This home's central position was also appealing, says this keen cyclist, who commutes by bike to work at TV3 in Nelson St.
"I have always loved character villas. I like the generous size of the rooms and having four bedrooms was good for flatmates. And the section is a good size.
"I also love the Little China area; Barilla Dumpling and New Flavour are two great restaurants. That area used to be a bit run down but now on a Wednesday night there are people waiting on the pavement at 9pm to get in. And also there's Capitol cinema. It's like city living in the suburbs."
At first Jon had flatmates until Gemma, an office furniture product designer/marketer, moved in six years ago. The couple married in 2010.
The villa layout has their master bedroom, with its bay windows, as you come in from the veranda.
"We use this as our bedroom because it is the prettiest with its pressed steel ceiling," says Gemma.
There are two more bedrooms on the left, the first with a built-in wardrobe the couple added, then Jon's office, which can be used as an extra bedroom.
In the bathroom, Jon removed lino to expose wooden floors and sourced antique tiles to add character by the mirror, bath and the classic toilet with original cistern.
"We have to give people lessons about how to pull the chain."
The lounge with its original sash window and working fireplace has a wall lined with bookshelves.
"It's been good to do some work on the house, having it painted and putting in the bookcase," says Jon.
This room is open to the dining area and kitchen - thanks to Jon removing walls to make three rooms into one, but keeping the original stained glass window door between the kitchen and the hallway.
"The lounge is great, nice and cosy," comments Gemma, explaining they have the choice of using the fireplace or gas heater; plus keeping the house dry and warm are the DVS, as well as insulation in walls and under floors.
The couple, who are expecting their first baby in early October, are selling because they are building a home in Three Kings.
"We're hoping like heck that the new house will be built before the baby arrives and not the other way around," says Jon.
"It's a modern three-storey home on the side of a hill with amazing views of the city and out west," explains Gemma.
Having an architect for a Dad is one reason they are building - Roy Wilson is a principal with Warren Mahoney's Wellington office. "He is responsible for the Cake Tin, Parliament and the Supreme Court," says Gemma. "But also we are selling because, although we love this house, it's Jon's house and we are creating a home together."
