Where legals dared

3 Nihill Crescent, Mission Bay. Photo / Getty Images

3 NIHILL CRES, MISSION BAY

4

3*

2**

SIZE: Land 1173sq m (zoned res 5: 1 dwelling per 500sq m), house 247sq m

PRICE INDICATION: Similar properties are selling for $2.75 million and above

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1pm-2pm. Auction April 2

ON THE WEB: http://barfoot.co.nz/517163

SCHOOL ZONES: Kohimarama Primary, Selwyn College

CONTACT: Chris Patrick, ph 021 993 893

FEATURES: * 1 sep bathroom, 1 sep WC, 1 sep shower room, 1 com. bath/WC, 1 ensuite. ** plus 2 off street.

In 82 years, No3 Nihill Cres has had just two owners. Mr and Mrs McCarty, who built what was initially a two-bedroom, one-bathroom dwelling in the 1930s, lived there for 41 years - as have Ray and Noelene Walker, whose two children, Sarah and Sam, grew up on the property and treasure many happy memories of an idyllic Auckland seaside-suburb childhood.

Ray, a well-known lawyer, still remembers the case he was working on when a message came through to say that the house - which Noelene had always admired - was on the market. He left it to Noelene to make an offer - and, thankfully, it was accepted.

While the section at 1173sq m was large, access was a bit of a problem. Well, quite a big one actually. "I had to carry my baby Sarah up and down the steep hill in a basket," Noelene recalls. Ray, pictured with grandson Hugo, adds: "And there was no vehicle access to the property, so we had to build a bridge."

What followed was a major construction project which resulted in the Walkers' property boasting a 15m approach, a 30m bridge, rising 6m, with a full turnaround area at the top, as well as a glorious, sprawling 75sq m deck.

"I've always been very proud of what we achieved," Ray says. "It was one of the biggest private bridges around at the time, and possibly still is. It took seven months and it's 'motorway strength'."

Further renovations saw the home itself double in size, and a heated swimming pool and floodlit tennis court were later added.

"I used to play a lot, and have 'the girls' over for games," Noelene says. "These days I really don't get out there, which is such a shame!'

Spacious and sunny, the house still has all the original Cape Cod-style charm that made it so irresistible to Ray and Noelene all those years ago.

The well-equipped kitchen, with its double oven, features a cool, classic white scheme and an informal dining/family area enjoys expansive views across the section and the suburb beyond.

Behind the kitchen is Ray's "snug", a cosy library-like room with groaning bookshelves. Noelene has her own office across the landing, as well as a clever sewing cupboard concealed in what was once a pantry.

There's also a separate dining room. The couple don't use it much now but they used to hold lots of lively dinner parties. "Those were the days!" laughs Noelene.

Last, but not least, is a large laundry. "I'm sure you could squeeze the washing machine and dryer into a cupboard, and turn this into another bathroom but I loved having lots of space to work in."

Four bedrooms on the top floor have a gentle cottagey feel about them and while the master bedroom includes an en suite, there's also a bathroom, separate toilet and shower on this level. "Believe me, that was very useful when the children were at home," Noelene says.

Image 1 of 8: 3 Nihill Crescent, Mission Bay. Photo / Getty Images

While Sarah's old room now has a neutral colour scheme, its former inhabitant remembers it as being "pretty in pink". I just loved it when I was little," she says.

Like many of their generation, Ray and Noelene are looking for something smaller. "It's a wrench of course, but this is a huge property for two people," Noelene admits. "We spend a lot more time at our beach house these days, and we just know in our hearts that the time has come for a change."

"I imagine that everyone says this, but it really was the most wonderful family home."