When a couple who run a quantity surveying company found a do-up villa in central Auckland suburb Kingsland in 2011, they knew they had work to do.
James and Maria White wanted to live close to the city centre and be able to walk to work. But the condition of the house at 15 Alexander Street presented challenges.
“Parts of it reminded me of my student flats in Dunedin,” says Maria. “So nothing’s been left untouched and nowadays it’s warm and relaxing.
“We renovated it for ourselves, knowing it would bug us if there were compromises or shortcuts taken.”
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The fans of character architecture lived in a one-bedroom city heritage apartment before having daughter Mackenzie, now aged 10.
The city-side end of Kingsland is lined with early 1900s homes and reminds them of James’ home town of Wellington. Says James says: “Friends from out of town can’t believe how handy our location is. I dropped one of them in Queen Street and he said, ‘Oh wow, that was literally just up and over the hill.’”
The 1910 villa, which has more than doubled in value since they bought it, has a bull-nosed front veranda and heritage features such as the high stud and double-hung windows.
The renovation-extension penned with architect Jason Bailey was thorough. The designation of several rooms changed and all rooms bar one had walls moved and insulated. The worn timber floors lining the 3.3m-high central hallway were replaced with new wood, which continues through the rear extension.
Battened ceilings reign in the three bedrooms, including the sun-drenched master with quadruple wardrobing.
Their new bathroom “used to be a dark bedroom,” says Maria. Now it’s beautifully light, thanks to a large skylight, and includes a resurfaced claw-foot bath and cupboard laundry.
The new open-plan living-dining-kitchen at the rear looks out on to swathes of greenery and a partially covered deck .
The front picket fence, backed by greenery, which secures the family’s border terrier Koda, was replaced, as was the front porch with wisteria above.
The fenced rear grounds include a white-chip courtyard, citrus-vege bed and patch of level lawn.
Says James: “We’re in the city and yet we’re in a peaceful little pocket where you can hear birds chirping and you’re surrounded by trees.”
The family keep their bikes stored under the house — the north-western cycleway is just down the hill.
Ray White agent Robyn Ellson says: “This property is enchanting, from the gorgeous picket fence and magnolia hedge, to the soaring character ceilings. It is a home that you will treasure for years to come, in a neighbourhood that offers a lifestyle second-to-none.”
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