Dennis Lou first established his development career delivering new builds but an experience far more personal prompted the just-completed, no-holds barred reinvention of this Sandringham transitional bungalow.

When his daughter neared school age his family wanted to move to a double grammar-zoned property and heritage overlays saw them buy their own bungalow to reimagine.

Dennis says: “We commissioned Jones Architects and Suzanne Allen Design to help us do that and were delighted with the result. Experiencing that helped me form a deep-seated belief in how wonderful thoroughly revitalised character homes can be.

“With townhouses everything is the same but when you completely overhaul a character home it’s like an art putting all the right elements together.

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“Yes, it takes a huge amount of energy and effort but the result can be stunning, ensuring a home which has stood for 100 years is ready for the next 100.”

Dennis used that same team of Jones Architects and Suzanne Allen Design to transform this bungalow in a quiet Sandringham cul-de-sac.

This was the opposite of a minimal effort “flick”. Dennis is passionate about how his team completely remodelled and revitalised what started out as a circa 110sqm single level bungalow.

“We more than doubled the size of the home, and that’s not including the addition of a new single garage out the front. We pushed out the back by about 80 or 90sqm to create the sort of open-plan living families will love and added a 70sqm upper level master suite.

“We re-levelled, re-wired and re-plumbed the bungalow and I wanted only premium fixtures and fittings throughout.”

8 Ngapawa Street, Sandringham, Auckland

Developer Dennis Lou says: “We pushed out the back by about 80 or 90sqm to create the sort of open-plan living families will love.”

8 Ngapawa Street, Sandringham, Auckland

Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open out to the westerly rear deck with louvred roof with rain sensors, stepping down to the lawn.

Dennis retained the existing mature hedges on the level 612sqm site to add to the home’s sense of permanence.

Behind the level front lawn front leadlights, fretwork and the traditional entry porch opening into an entry foyer are amongst the high-stud home’s character credentials.

“We retained timber joinery but went for double-glazing throughout, combined with a central heating system.”

Replacing flooring with wide-plank French oak adds to the ambiance in the rear living-dining-kitchen, which is flooded with natural light.

Its floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open out to the westerly rear deck with louvred roof with rain sensors, stepping down to the rear lawn.

The Suzanne Allen-designed kitchen featuring Laminam porcelain benchtops, Dezignatek cabinetry, dual Fisher & Paykel ovens and integrated Fisher & Paykel appliances has alongside it a butler's pantry/laundry with external access.

With work-from-home time prevalent, Dennis included an office in the hallway’s line-up of three bedrooms, a luxurious bathroom, separate powder room and under-stair storage.

8 Ngapawa Street, Sandringham, Auckland

The 70sqm upper level master suite is also a new addition to the bungalow.

8 Ngapawa Street, Sandringham, Auckland

The Suzanne Allen-designed kitchen features Laminam porcelain benchtops, Dezignatek cabinetry, dual Fisher & Paykel ovens and integrated Fisher & Paykel appliances.

Recognising some families need only three bedrooms, additional feature battening bolsters the charm in one bedroom with enclosed fireplace, should owners prefer to use it as second living.

There are views over neighbouring suburbs from the upstairs’ spacious master suite with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.

Dennis can envisage reinventing another character home in the future but says he’d only consider one with qualities justifying so much expense and effort.

This one’s location, quiet level site, proximity to St Lukes and Eden Park and great school zoning helped explain its selection.

Ray White agent James Wang says: “This exquisitely reimagined home offers the opportunity to purchase a residence of outstanding quality, zoned for popular Balmoral School and Mt Albert Grammar, without paying the double grammar zone premium.”

8 Ngapawa Street in Sandringham, Auckland, is for sale by way of auction on February 5. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $2.45 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands early last year for $1.765m.

- Sponsored by Ray White