Ninety-three-year-old Diana Jackson’s driveway winds its way down from Arney Rd in Auckland's Remuera to unveil her home’s wide clifftop position with views of Hobson Bay and the harbour.
Diana is only the second owner of this tranquil 1960s property, set on 1489sqm in a plum position looking out over Bloodworth Park across the water to Mount Victoria, North Head and Rangitoto Island.
She says: “People come down the drive not knowing the sea is there and walk in and are absolutely amazed.”
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In 1961, Diana and her first husband Bill Springhall bought the home behind where this house now sits. It had been built in the early 1900s by the brother of renowned New Zealand artist Charles Frederick Goldie and came with a tennis court in front.
But Diana and Bill didn’t have much use for the court so they soon sold it to a fellow by the name of Ron Yock, who built on it this single level clifftop home for his retirement.
Diana’s husband Bill later passed away and Diana stayed on to raise their three children. As time went on she married GP Bill Jackson. The two loved the view from the old home out over the rooftop of Ron’s house.
Diana says: “We used to come down and have a drink with Ron and I’d say, ‘If this house ever goes on the market, Ron, you know who wants to buy it.’
“In 1994 Ron went into a rest home so Bill and I packed our bags and moved just down the driveway.”
The 1960s home is clad in Hinuera stone and was designed for the view. One of Diana’s daughters, Susan Souness, puts its meticulous design complete with built-in furniture down to the fact that Ron Yock was a gem collector.
Off-street parking for multiple cars bolsters the double garage with a workshop which Diana used as her pottery and wood sculpture studio for many years.
Beyond the entry hall and hallway are a line-up of rooms which splendidly drink in the spectacular, wide view. An angled ceiling follows the roofline above the big front living room with French doors out to the covered front patio.
Susan says: “My mother used to print out the cruise ships’ timetable and watch their comings and goings through binoculars.”
Diana says: “It’s also lovely watching the Wednesday night yacht races out there and looking down at the little boys being cheered on by their parents playing sport down at the park.”
Neighbouring the living room are a dining room and a kitchen with walk-in pantry.
Two front bedrooms open to the porch. The larger is Diana’s en-suited master from where she likes to listen to the soothing sound of a natural-looking waterfall she had created outside.
On the inland side of the home are the third bedroom, a bathroom, separate laundry and the library behind the living room, outfitted with dual built-in desks.
Diana understands the property’s tall flagpole was erected for Goldie’s brother. It flutters above her flower beds, level front lawn and planted bank, with a vege garden near the garage.
Diana has loved entertaining at this home within a community she’s found unerringly friendly for 40 years. But Bill passed away a decade ago and she’s ready for a retirement home.
Barfoot and Thompson agent Alex Baker says: “This is an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a breath-taking trophy position and either transform and take the existing home to a new level or rebuild.”
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