The owner of a spectacular concrete block and cedar home for sale in Auckland's Remuera isn’t the sort of person who gets all that attached to real estate.
“I’m more interested in my bike and my animals,” he told OneRoof.
However, he admits he’ll make an exception for 122C Benson Road, designed by star architect Julian Guthrie.
“We bought it around the time of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and we’d just missed out on another property we loved,” he said.
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"Our children urged us to look at this one, again, but we were flying out to Fiji, and didn’t want to get involved in long negotiations so I told the agent if he could get a deal over the line in five hours, I’d buy it – so he did.”
The owner had never really imagined himself living in Remuera. “I was a bit of a critic but now I’m a convert. It’s been fantastic and we just love this location with the café at the corner and easy access to motorways, shops and schools.”
The five-bedroom house was brand-new when the owner and his wife picked it up for $3.2 million in 2019. No work was needed but they decided to expand the deck and put a louvred roof over it.
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“That made it effectively a new room and completely changed the dynamic of the property. We found ourselves spending more and more time outside – with all the palms it’s very tropical and you could be anywhere in the world, plus it’s incredibly peaceful and secluded.”
The Guthrie magic is immediately obvious in the large light-filled lobby and the sun-soaked living areas, which include a huge open-plan kitchen, dining and family room.
“We’re a foodie family and we like to cook, so having two ovens is very useful – and the Miele appliances are excellent, of course,” said the owner.
He said that all the bedrooms were very generous and having guests to stay was a breeze, thanks to a bedroom with garden access and its own deck and ensuite – set behind the internally accessed garage and separate laundry.
Listing agent Steve Koerber, from Ray White, says the property is larger than the standard lock-and-leave. Photo / Supplied
Upstairs via the solid oak timber staircase lie a further four bedrooms and family bathroom along with the main bedroom, which enjoys a giant walk-in wardrobe and double ensuite and there’s also a study.
Guthrie’s signature soaring windows star throughout the home with a double height void above the dining room for extra effect, and although there are plenty of heat sources, including gas fireplaces, they’re seldom needed.
The owners are selling up after relocating to the Gold Coast, in Australia, where their children are now studying, and the home is seriously for sale.
The property has a 2021 CV of $3.5m and is heading for auction on August 7. Listing agent Steve Koerber, from Ray White Remuera, said it was larger than your standard lock-and-leave.
“It’s peaceful, private and north facing, and while it’s certainly very stylish, people also love the fact that it’s so secure and self-contained behind its private gates.”
- 122C Benson Road, in Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on August 7
