After afternoon tea in Saint Heliers and a brief glance in a real estate agent’s window, Di and Grant purchased Court House, a grand historic homestead built for a visionary.
John Court, one of the brothers associated with the former George Courts Department Store on Karangahape Road, had helped shape Auckland’s early retail landscape.
Di says: “We weren’t even in the market for a property, but we popped over to have a look. It was serendipity.”
Grant says: “We bought this property 18 years ago, impressed by the home’s grandeur, its park-like surroundings and future potential.”
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Di says: “The property was once a farm, known as John Court’s Model farm, showcasing cutting-edge agricultural practices and supplying fresh produce for the tea rooms of the Court brothers’ businesses.
“Strawberry farms dotted the hill towards the river. Before that it was part of the land holdings of Governor Hobson; a potential site for New Zealand’s new capital on the Tamaki Estuary.”
The early 1900s 278sqm two-storey Arts & Crafts bungalow known as Court House sits privately on 1514sqm grounds with subdivision potential. The drive-through portico attached to the home provides under-cover entry to the front porch.
“Our entrance stained-glass door triplet is truly spectacular even incorporating the North Star from where the Court family originated,” says Di.
The early 1900s 278sqm two-storey Arts & Crafts bungalow known as Court House sits on 1514sqm grounds with subdivision potential.
The owners’ renovations centred on creating three things: open-plan living, indoor-outdoor flow and modern amenities.
The foyer provides an elegant sense of arrival with its dark-stained matai flooring, chandelier and one of the stunning plaster ceilings gracing most of this level.
Di says: “We’ve completed substantial renovations while retaining character features and details we love, including unique high plaster ceilings, glorious leadlights and window seats.”
The couple’s architectural renovations centred on authentically creating three things: open-plan living, indoor-outdoor flow to a luxuriously spacious covered loggia and modern amenities whilst paying homage to what makes Court House special.
The sumptuous kitchen with glorious sealed Italian marble-topped island and scullery/laundry is open-plan with the family living area, revelling in the views over the river.
A servery window opens directly from the scullery to the loggia, beloved for all-weather outdoor entertaining and events. A servery hatch also links the scullery and formal dining.
There are six generous bedrooms and two beautiful bathrooms upstairs, plus the landing’s sitting area under an inverted ceiling dome. The master bedroom and the second largest open to a deck ideal for coffee with a view. In the evening, it’s a G&T on the loggia with the tui and kereru. Life is good here.
“Our entrance stained-glass door triplet is truly spectacular even incorporating the North Star from where the Court family originated,” says homeowner Di.
The kitchen with Italian marble-topped island and scullery/laundry is open-plan with the family living area.
Grant says having some separation between living areas worked well.
“When the girls had their friends over, the sheer size of this home enabled opportunities for peace and quiet and separate pursuits.”
They’ve always had rescue animals, including Maisy the dog, and playtime on the near-level grounds included bouncy castles, games of volleyball, and feijoa-and-spoon races amidst mature trees.
Court Crescent was named after the Court brothers. This homestead enjoys expansive near 180-degree views to the Tamaki River and harbour and further to Coromandel on a clear day.
Di says: “It’s a quick 12 minutes’ drive to the city and is well serviced by a bus in the street and the nearby train/bus transport hub. Grant is WFH with zero commute of course.”
For the family, public transport to school and university was simple.
Agent Ben Dellabarca, from The Network, says: “30 Court Crescent is a ‘how-to’ in creating generational wealth, offering the perfect opportunity to own a substantial six-bedroom family home while land-banking for the future or exploring immediate subdivision potential.”
- Sponsored by The Network
