Veronica York recounts deciding to buy 214 Hunter Road before she was even through the front door.
Such was the charm of the grounds, the quintessentially English ambience and the absolute beauty of its surrounds, she needed to see little more.
She explains, “We had originally wanted a bare 10-acre block, but our agent took us to see another option which happened to be the dream home we didn't even know we were looking for. As we walked up the driveway, we had decided to buy it before we even saw the house.”
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Set in Auckland’s Taupaki, the traditional brick and shingled cedar home is on meticulous and well-established grounds that Veronica and her husband David curated to distinction since that moment in 1980.
The pair took the property from picturesque to wholly remarkable.
“We have made a lot of changes over the years - adding a guest house, tennis court, macadamia orchard, equestrian arena, and a clay target shooting range,” says Veronica.
The five-bedroom, four-bathroom home and expansive grounds have not only catered to the family but have provided the foundation for them to thrive. The homestead kitchen and living areas are the home’s mainstay. Tartan drapes, soft textures, high stud ceilings and an open fire place finish what is an elegant and relaxed character home.
“The original music room is now our TV room which was based on a copy of a French châteaux with a genuine Adams fireplace surround,” says Veronica.
An ivy draped portico overlooks shaped hedges and pool covering park like gardens, where Veronica and David were married in 1982, and has since been the setting for decades of family get-togethers.
“We’ve had christenings, birthdays and every other family celebration in between. My grandchildren come to stay and love playing in the garden and swimming in the pool.”
The Olympic-sized equestrian arena is supplemented with ample truck parking and a large workshop/barn. Presenting total privacy in its estate-like surroundings, the property comes with the opportunity to subdivide with resource consent in place.
“After so many special years in this amazing family home I have decided to move on and let another family love it like we have,” says Veronica.
The property is being marketed for sale by tender by Jayne McCall of Bayleys.
