Stories of many generations of families are weaved into the renovations of this 170-year-old cottage in Auckland.
Originally known as Van Damme’s cottage, the three-bedroom Mt Wellington property was built in 1849 and is one of New Zealand’s oldest houses - and is to be auctioned on February 29.
Its owners, software engineer Andrew Fraser and schoolteacher Hester Fraser, will always remember the 136A Mt Wellington Hwy property as a family home — it's where they had their two children, Zoe, 4, and Jim, 2.
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The first family to raise children in this historic property was Governor George Grey's cousin. He and his wife had 13 children. Grey was a New Zealand governor, from 1845 to 1853.
Other previous owners are New Zealand sculptor Greer Twiss and his wife Dee, who lived at the cottage for 25 years. Twiss used the property’s stables as his studio. and would fire some of his pieces by the fireplace in the garden.
Andrew and Hester have renovated the stables, keeping its original style but turning it into an L-shaped studio with polished concrete floors, a wine room and an office space.
“We saw it as an exciting liveable space. We re-did it in its original essence but made it nice and modern,” says Andrew.
The couple used as much original material as possible and recycled the wood into a feature wall, a bench top and a desk and doors.
“I used it an office, but it’s also a great AirBnb property. Or if you have teenagers it'll be perfect too,” Andrew says.
The heritage home has polished kauri floors, stone and concrete bathroom floors, stained glass, sash windows, and back-to-back fireplaces in the dining room and lounge.
The couple treasure the history and appreciate the comfort of their fully insulated “cosy house" sitting on almost 1000sq m.
“To still be standing and thriving it shows that the house was built to last,” says Andrew.
“It’s also been great to have good owners over the years who have updated along the way and treated it with the respect that it deserves,” Andrew says.
The property has a big backyard and a garden, and the family enjoyed spending summer evenings in the outdoor area.
“It’s a fantastic summer house and it’s great to spend weekend afternoons on the deck. In the winter, it’s quite fun to snuggle up inside and play board games or read — so it’s a really cool family spot.”
The couple, who moved from Los Angeles where they loved being by the water, chose the cottage because it has views of the Panmure Basin from every room. Professionals real estate agent Sharine Burns says people who appreciate cottages and historic architecture will fall in love with the property.
“It’s one of those places that right away you forget that you are in Auckland,” says Burns. “It feels like you’ve been transported back in time. ”
The 170-year-old home is a hidden gem by the motorway and conveniently located near the Panmure train station and another body of water known as the Van Damme lagoon.
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