It was thanks to the Covid lockdown two years ago that Michelle and Rodney Templeman found what turned out to be their perfect home.
“Like a lot of people during Covid we did plenty of walking and we came across this place with a ‘for sale’ sign on it. We’d been thinking – not very seriously – of downsizing our large old villa in Devonport, so when we got home we thought ‘let’s just go and see’.”
When they pushed open the door of 2/5B Eton Avenue in Devonport, they found it was an absolute gem.
That gem is now on the market to be sold at auction on August 24. 2/5B Eton Avenue in Devonport, North Shore, Auckland, has an RV of $1.75 million and, according to OneRoof data, was last sold in 2020 for $1.4m.
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Michelle describes the two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse as “bijou and beautiful”, in excellent condition, well-designed and with a small, manageable garden.
“We immediately thought ‘this would suit us really well’.”
The character townhouse in its mews setting is one of two, and having a like-minded neighbour has resulted in new steel roofing for both houses, and a cohesive exterior colour scheme for the cedar weatherboard cladding which enhances the style of the building.
French doors lead to a heated paved patio which is totally private and perfect for alfresco dining. Photo / Supplied
The townhouse is very different from the couple’s previous villa home but they found it an easy transition to the smaller space.
“When it comes to a small house it’s not about the size but the design. This has everything we need,” Michelle says.
On the ground floor is a comfortable lounge with a gas fire for winter warmth. Timber French doors open to a terrace which captures the afternoon sun, and white painted shutters maintain privacy.
On the opposite side of the lounge there are French doors to the open-plan dining and kitchen area, which combine character styling with modern design and appliances. This opens to a heated paved patio with a glassed pergola which is totally private and perfect for alfresco dining. Also on the ground floor are a powder room, an office and internal access to the garage.
The Devonport property has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a single garage. Photo / Supplied
The open-plan dining and kitchen area combine character styling with modern design and appliances. Photo / Supplied
Upstairs are two sunny double bedrooms, one with ensuite, ample closet and storage space, and a family bathroom.
“We did quite a bit to the house when we moved in, so anything needed now would just be cosmetic to suit the taste of new owners,” Michelle says.
They have appreciated the convenient location of Eton Avenue which, they say, is good for retirees or working people or those wanting a lock-up-and-leave residence. The Devonport Domain is at one end, and the Balmain Reserve at the other.
Devonport Village with its shops, restaurants, library, supermarket, theatre and ferry to the city is about 20 minutes’ walk away, and Cheltenham Beach is close by.
“Going through the business of moving hasn’t been easy but it is what we need to do now and our brilliant agent has made it a seamless process.”
