Who bought that house?

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The first Group House, 20 Northboro Road, Takapuna.

CV: $520,000.

Sold for: $875,000.

Sold by: Ron and Sheryl Sadler, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 021 613 546.

A spot of research into the history of New Zealand modernism is not usually the top of buyers' lists when they settle on their new home. But house-hunters Yvonne and Mark Harris were quickly brought up to speed when they purchased the architecturally important First House, by the Group Architects, in Takapuna.

"We had no idea what this meant, but we've quickly had to become experts," says Yvonne. "It certainly means we have a sense of responsibility to the house - we need to think carefully about what has gone before."

First on the Harris list was a copy of architectural historian Douglas Lloyd Jenkins' new book At Home, A century of New Zealand Design. They were thrilled to see the story of the original owners and builders of the house, with early photos.

They also thought the huge section was perfect for their children, Ben, 6, and Matthew, 3. Yvonne and Mark know that the owners before them raised their children from toddlers to teenagers, and see themselves settling in for the same long haul. Their two-year hunt for a large, family house and section has paid off - their family are just down the street, they have friends in the neighbourhood and the school is nearby.

Longer term, Yvonne would love to have time to potter in the garden, and they dream of a pool or tennis court on the 1200sq m section.

"We know this is a very important piece of architecture," says Yvonne. "But it's also the ideal family home we'd been searching for. We're the new caretakers."