An unexpected viewing, prompted by their daughter, led Richard and Maree Barry to a subsequent purchase of 55A Portland Road in Remuera, Auckland. A home they describe as their sanctuary amid hectic weekdays.
55A Portland Road has a 2021 RV of $5.2 million and is on the market for sale at auction on December 7. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom house has a floor space of 362sqm sitting on a land section of 1625sqm. According to OneRoof data, it last changed hands in 2016 for $3.7m.
For the Barrys, their home of woodland charm and joyful design, tucked deep into one of Remuera’s northern slope streets, is not your typical Remuera home, which is part of its appeal.
“The first time we saw it, I thought it looked like a gingerbread house. But it grew on me very quickly. We had seen a multitude of houses, but this one felt like a home,” describes Richard.
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It certainly has the charm of a gingerbread house and attracts the curiosity of one too.
Canadian cedar shingled exterior blends with the property’s verdant edges. You would be forgiven for thinking you were definitely not in central Auckland, rather a west coast home bordering the forest. And that’s precisely its charm.
Inside you’ll find white walls contrasted with kauri ceilings and slate floors, flooded with natural light from a collection of skylights throughout.
Built in 1986, the home was designed by one of the legends of New Zealand architecture, Terry Hitchcock, and is considered one of his loveliest examples of work. Photo / Supplied
When the couple first viewed the property, the large white walls were covered in the former owners’ extensive art collection, but Richard and Maree were eager to let the architecture speak for itself once they had moved in.
Built in 1986, in a decade that wasn’t always kind to design, thankfully, in this instance, the home was conceived by one of the legends of New Zealand architecture, Terry Hitchcock.
And this home is considered one of his loveliest examples of work. It’s an image of Hitchcock’s signature - interesting roof forms, cedar shingles, doors and windows that smudge the line between inside and out and light coming from a series of surprising directions.
But the beauty of its design, the couple say, lies in the layout.
The current homeowners kept the clean white walls to let the architecture speak for itself. Photo / Supplied
55A Portland Road has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two single garages plus space for off-street parking. Photo / Supplied
“It’s a house where there are so many rooms to break out in, and so many rooms to come together in. It’s been one of the biggest bonuses of living here. When we first viewed it, we kept thinking we had finished the tour, but it just kept giving.”
Like a contemporary answer to Andalusian cave homes, the layout is a revelation. The master bedroom on the first floor and office are joined by an internal bridge. And the remaining three bedrooms, each with their own loft, are afforded their own wing and lounge area.
The kitchen continues a calming palette and natural materials. Opening out on to the deck where you’ll overlook the pool, spa and be met by the results of the couple’s abundant and lush landscaping.
Listing agent Rawdon Christie, of Barfoot & Thompson, who is marketing the property alongside Steve Hood, says, “The architecture and the way it’s designed for a family with shared spaces along with private areas is remarkable. The blend of design and feeling like you’re in Titirangi while being in the heart of Remuera will attract a very special buyer.”
