This house with a pool and a cottage in a prime location has been the scene of many an interview with politicians, not to mention some great media parties.
Former 60 Minutes journalist Sarah Hall, husband Grant Malins and their two schnoodles (“the world’s most handsome dogs”) live at 4 Sussex Street, Grey Lynn, but are moving to Matakana.
UP Real Estate agents Roberta Stewart and Patrick McCarthy are bringing the house to auction on July 15.
It’s an emotional move with all these memories, says Sarah of her big, welcoming home with its entertainer’s kitchen and scullery.
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When gay marriage was passed about 250 people celebrated at the house, including current Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, she says.
Former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark has also been here, and media industry friends have taken respite here when they were working on big stories.
Others, too, have been brought into the home.
“We bought this because my brother’s kids became orphans and so we took two of them in and at that time we had three of our own at home so we needed all of this space.”
Over the years many young people have lived here, Sarah says.
She and Grant bought the house 13 years ago off interior designer Sonja Cotter and Sonja’s husband Richard Evans who had already carried out top to bottom renovations.
The only thing Sarah did was take out a bedroom to make space for her books and for the scullery.
There are two bedrooms downstairs in the main house and upstairs is the master suite, featuring a big bedroom with a private balcony which has wide views to the harbour and the city.
There is a bathroom upstairs and another room which could be used as a study/bedroom or living area.
Downstairs the timber floor of the hallway flows to the concrete floor of the living area which opens to the patio area and pool.
An engineer friend designed a “deck” for the pool so you can cover it over and double the size of the space which has been great for those parties, says Sarah.
Behind this area is the two storey cottage which has Air B&B potential or could be used for guests, extended family or an office.
Sarah says she will miss everything about this property.
“It’s the one house I never thought I’d sell. It’s so warm and quiet. This is the first home I’ve ever lived in that was properly insulated and had thickened glass.
“It’s an entertainer’s dream but it’s also lovely for families.”
Agent Roberta Stewart of UP Real Estate says also having a cottage is a unique feature for the area.
“That cottage is kind of unheard of; to have such a substantial cottage with living space as well as sleeping quarters.”
It would be a great work-from-home space, she says, because you are so close to the CBD yet tucked away.
“You can deal with clients downstairs and have your confidential, private information upstairs.”
The whole property is so versatile, Roberta says.
“And I think they’ve done a really tasteful renovation. That whole master suite is quite unique as well when you can throw the family downstairs and have your own space upstairs.”
The location is fantastic, too, with the shops and eateries of Ponsonby on your doorstep.
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