CONTACT:
Bob Gordon, Barfoot & Thompson, 027 475 9025.
AUCTION:
Wednesday June 29, 10am.
While the classic heritage suburbs of villas and bungalows on the inner ring of Auckland are well-recognised for their history, there are equally interesting stories to be found in the suburbs further out.
Glendowie is one such spot, formed when the exclusive estate of Sir Kenneth Myers' family was sold to Sir Robert Kerridge, of the movie theatre empire.
Kerridge subdivided the land, naming the subdivision Beverley Hills. One of the first buyers of the plot was architect Ralph McCabe, who had the pick of the sites, selecting a high wedge of land just in from the corner of Roberta Ave for his and wife Jackie's home.
The home he built in 1956 had the best of the modernist look -- long low lines on a concrete base, cedar weatherboards, rimu flooring and, a New Zealand first -- underground power and phone lines.
Unusually, when he added the second story in 1967, McCabe added a touch of heart kauri, including a sweep of staircase, columns and panels in the entry hall and vintage lights, and matai flooring, recycled from Victorian houses being demolished at that time.
When Gary and Sue bought the place 16 years ago, the decor was billed as "country lodge" and the house was a popular entertainers' place.
The location was ideal for their boys, who were then starting primary school and college.
Image 1 of 7: Enjoy views forever from this modernised home with links to the silver screen. Photos / David Rowland, Getty Images
"As it happens, Sir Robert Kerridge, who owned and developed the area was Sue's great-uncle. His brother Trevor was Sue's grandfather," says Gary.
"McCabe chose the best site, and the house was well positioned to give us a good backyard, but all the sun and views to the front. We can't be built out."
The couple's renovations have made the cool, modern architecture fit for this century, as they replaced ceilings, inserted insulation, upgraded electrical systems while they were doing the more obvious changes: a suite of sliding glass doors opening to the northern sun and views, french doors to the scoria rock-terraced back yard, a smart new kitchen.
"The kitchen was closed in, so we opened it right out. We kept the rooms, but just brought light in," says Sue.
Four years ago, they did their dream renovation, an extended balcony off the upper floor bedrooms, which was designed in keeping with McCabe's original vision. Now, each of those rooms opens through sliding glass doors to a sheltered terrace for dining and admiring the views that stretch from Musick Point, Waiheke and Browns Islands all the way west and the night sky.
But their modern touches, including lashings of white paint, a soft green carpet that mimics the colour of the sea and stylish lighting, are a far cry from the old country lodge.
Gary succumbed to boy pressure and upgraded the drive to include two parking pads at street level and generous turnarounds next to the house to cope with all the cars of residents and visitors.
But with the boys having left home, the couple is ready to downsize. Leaving a cool Auckland story of mid-century suburbia to the next generation.
