The home on 74 Bell Road in Remuera, Auckland, is the very illustration of a labour of love, and the result of generous reserves of foresight and time.
Billed to sell by a set date ending November 10, the home has an RV of $7.9 million and, according to OneRoof records, last changed hands in May 1997 for $900,000.
The owners say they saw well past the work needed when they first viewed it in 1997 and could see a mass of potential on a very good-sized section. They took a patient and staged approach to the revision of their home that elevated it to an extraordinary standard.
From the outset the couple enlisted prominent architect Paul Leuschke, who was in it for the long haul. Leuschke was essentially tasked with designing a new home, starting from the outside in.
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The lawn was made perfectly flat, an old, decommissioned pool was replaced, and a loggia installed, signalling only the beginning.
“Throughout this time, we replanted much of the garden which today has resulted in what is effectively a private oasis in the middle of the city,” the owners say.
“A year or two later came the decision to go ahead and renovate the rest of the house to make the most of the living room access to the pool and outdoor entertaining area.”
The five-bedroom, four-bathroom home with an office, multiple shared living spaces and swimming pool was designed with both family and entertaining in mind. Photo / Supplied
The house was rebuilt to achieve a contemporary family home with high standards, one that the owners say gave them a multitude of functional spaces, every one of them used and enjoyed.
They add, “Paul’s design has really stood the test of time with the house today still as liveable as it was the day it was completed. Everything is so cohesive, Paul’s attention to detail was incredible.”
That liveability is afforded by five bedrooms, four bathrooms, an office and multiple shared large living spaces, designed with both family and entertaining in mind.
The home’s central kitchen, dining and lounge area is provided with immediate access to the home’s meticulous landscaping. It’s a space that establishes the relaxed, style-driven and functional character of the home throughout.
The owners credit the home with its ability to evolve with them, namely what was once a rumpus room is now a fully self-contained studio. Featured on the same level are an internal three-car garage along with a storage room and wine cellar.
74 Bell Road in Remuera was bought for $900.000 in May 1997 and has a June 2021 RV of $7.9m. Photo / Supplied
The homeowners say: “Paul’s design has really stood the test of time with the house today still as liveable as it was the day it was completed.” Photo / Supplied
Vicki Wallace is marketing 74 Bell Road with Gary and Andrew Wallace.
“This is an impressive multi-generational family home, offering resort style features with harbour views – the only place you’ll want to call home,” she says.
After almost two and a half decades of enjoying the result of their work on the property, the owners acknowledge, “It has been a fabulous family home, its design, size, central location to town, schooling, and retail.
“The time has come, however, to pass the house over to a new family to move in and enjoy all that the house and grounds have to offer.”
