John and Veronica have loved the generous spaces within their double grammar-zoned five-bedroom home and its restful green views over Martyn Wilson Fields, which they often walk through.
Plus there’s the big positive that, in contrast to most homes of its era and style, this one was built with a cavity system.
Retired engineer John says: “I think what is most unusual about this home is the size of each of the rooms; they’re all generous. The 2.7-metre stud downstairs and the double height entry foyer reinforce that sense of spaciousness.”
He purchased the 2002-built 300sqm home in 2006, becoming only its second owner and happily living here for 18 years.
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Wife Veronica says: “It has a really lovely outlook. Martyn Wilson Fields is a council reserve so your view is never going to be built out, which gives you peace of mind.”
And despite what Google Maps incorrectly shows, their freehold property doesn’t have any road frontage so is private and particularly peaceful.
28B Manawa Road in Remuera, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on October 31. The five-bedroom, three-bathroom property has a 2021 CV of $3.075 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2006 for $1.235m.
John says: “I love the accessibility of this location. We walk through the reserve and from there it’s easy access to Orakei Bay Village or the Orakei train station. Or we can take the pleasant walking track around the Orakei Basin.”
The restful green views from the deck over Martyn Wilson Fields, which the homeowners often walk through.
The two-storey home on 512sqm is secure down an electronically gated driveway and visitors enter into the double-height atrium with staircase.
Everywhere from Benson Road’s shops and cafes, Remuera Village, Parnell, Newmarket, Eastridge shops and Mission Bay are easy to get to. It’s a short drive into the CBD or onto the motorway at Greenlane.
“The school zoning here is great – Auckland Grammar School, Epsom Girls Grammar, Remuera Intermediate and Victoria Avenue School, which is just up the road.”
Numerous top private schools in the area include two within 15 minutes’ walk, Baradene College and St Kentigern’s Boys’ School and Girls’ School.
Their two-storey home on 512sqm is secure down an electronically gated driveway, with an open-air parking spot and internal-access double garage. John’s a stickler for maintenance and has painted the exterior three times, including only a couple of years ago.
Visitors enter into the double-height atrium with staircase. Even this is generous and easy to use, as it’s wide with gently spaced stairs. The foyer’s elegant parquet flooring continues into the kitchen-informal dining-family room with granite benches, wide kitchen island and 90cm-wide oven.
John says: “We get good sun, from sunrise to just before sunset.”
A view of the reserve’s duck pond from the expansive primary bedroom upstairs.
Ray White agent Steve Koerber says: “Affordable freehold five-bedroom homes are few and far between in double grammar zone. This one is definitely worth grabbing.”
The family room is their favourite due to its green outlook into their garden and the reserve’s trees, abundant sun and good light for Veronica to embroider by. Both this area and a neighbouring living-dining room flow out easily to a corner patio great for alfresco dining while you watch tui and kingfisher flutter by.
A bedroom, a bathroom, under-stair storage and a separate laundry opening to a smaller patio complete this level. Upstairs, the expansive primary bedroom has a double-basin ensuite, a spacious couple-sized walk-in wardrobe and a view of the reserve’s duck pond. Three other bedrooms, one with another walk-in wardrobe, accompany a family bathroom with bath.
Their tidy grounds include near-level lawn for children’s play, topiary trees and a well-utilised lemon and lime tree.
There are many handy details the couple will miss, such as full-width bathroom mirrors with de-misting qualities. But they’re ready to move to a retirement village.
Ray White agent Steve Koerber says: “Affordable freehold five-bedroom homes are few and far between in double grammar zone. This one is definitely worth grabbing.”
- 28B Manawa Road in Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on October 31
