“It’s a house with a very interesting history,” says the current owner of this enormous, two-storey kauri villa in central Devonport, North Shore, Auckland.
She’s a retired heritage architect so the property was especially appealing to her.
She explains that it was built in 1893 as his own home by James Mays, an Englishman who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century with his brother Oliver Mays, who was one of the most influential early Devonport settlers.
James was a builder, and the scale of this property suggests that he must have been successful. He was one of New Zealand’s first proud owners of a motor car.
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As one of Devonport’s earliest residences 19 Buchanan Street is an elegant monument to the Victorian era, boasting a host of desirable heritage features including leadlight windows, ornate fireplaces, ceiling roses, timber floorboards and even a white picket fence.
19 Buchanan Street in Devonport, North Shore, is on the market be sold at auction on June 7. Auckland Council records show the property has a 2021 CV of $5 million and, according to OneRoof data, the property last changed hands in 2020 for $5.6m.
The current owner and her husband had moved from the South Island when they first saw the property and were impressed by the previous vendor’s spectacular results, having converted the house into two separate, self-contained dwellings.
The home is an elegant monument to the Victorian era, boasting desirable heritage features like leadlight windows, ornate fireplaces, ceiling roses, timber floorboards and even a white picket fence. Photo / Supplied
There are two apartments which, when combined, offer seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, two kitchens, multiple living spaces and parking for two vehicles. Photo / Supplied
The traditional family home on the top level has a gigantic kitchen, living and dining area which leads to a sun-drenched deck, and four very generous bedrooms.
The colours are light and bright, and high ceilings throughout emphasize the overall sense of space. The décor is cool and contemporary whilst embracing many of the original aspects that characterize homes of this age and pedigree.
Downstairs, with its own entrance, the three-bedroom apartment is similarly appealing. Again, there’s a wealth of kitchen and dining space plus an elegant separate lounge. A pleasant, private deck runs along this side of the house, alongside lawn and garden and it’s just perfect for alfresco entertaining.
The current owners are sad to be leaving the property but aren’t going very far, as they’ve appreciated the convenient location.
One thing they’ll especially miss is the people who come and stand outside, gazing at the house and smiling. She explains that there’s a very good reason for this: “From 1926 to 1975 it was Pentlands Maternity Hospital and hundreds of babies were delivered here, so they’ve obviously come back to see where their lives began!”
The current owner is a heritage architect and says 19 Buchanan Street has an interesting history including being a maternity hospital from 1926 to 1975. Photo / Supplied
The home was built in 1893 by James Mays, an Englishman who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century, and has since been meticulously maintained by its various owners. Photo / Supplied
19 Buchanan Street was sold to the current owners only relatively recently, and the fact it’s back on the market creates a wonderful opportunity for a discerning buyer.
Listing agent Lynda Betts, of Bayleys, Devonport, says the apartment in particular offers endless possibilities – including accommodation for extended family, which is how the current owners originally planned to use it.
“It can be rented, and it’s ideal for Airbnb – especially as Devonport Village is so close by, with its shops, cafes, galleries, library and cinema – plus the beach is at the end of the street.”
While the two dwellings are practically perfect, she suggests that there’s still scope for enhancing the 971sqm section further – perhaps by adding a pool.
“And, if you wanted to, you could easily add an internal door and turn it back into one enormous home. It’s one of the most versatile properties I’ve marketed,” she says.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
