While Herne Bay has advanced into being the country’s most expensive suburb, this circa-1910 former boarding house has undertaken its own journey of gentrification.
The character home with harbour views now epitomises graciousness, long after the days when it had exterior stairs to access the upper level of rooms offering affordable lodging.
Owner Stewart Imrie bought the property in 2012 when it had already been extensively renovated, wanting more space and his daughters to be able to conveniently attend St Mary’s College.
“With the choice of spaces the girls can be in the upstairs lounge eating pizza and making noise, while we happily entertain on the main level.”
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Another drawcard was upper-level views of the harbour, to the west of the harbour bridge.
“I’d say when you look at homes running along this side of the ridge, we’ve got some of the best harbour views. I enjoy looking at the movement of the water.
“And I do like the look of character homes. This one offers modern convenience too, such as its central heating and Sonos multi-zone sound system. It’s great having a double carport plus off-street parking for another car or two, all secured behind an electronic gate.”
Entry into the residence is via a gracious hallway showcasing the high stud, kauri floorboards and a beamed ceiling hung with chandeliers.
The renovated kitchen-dining with scullery is smart in black and white with marble benchtops and custom cabinetry.
Stewart’s ownership has involved renovations too, including creating polished outdoor entertaining and seizing the basement’s development potential. The property has street appeal with its front picket fence and the three-level home’s shingle detailing and charming bay windows. The grounds being fully fenced suits because of the household dog, springer spaniel, Jimmy.
201A Jervois Road in Herne Bay, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on October 2. The five-bedroom, three-bathroom property has a 2021 CV of $4.4 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2012 for $2.28m.
The house is set back on its 528sqm of land and traffic noise isn’t an issue. They do sometimes hear the foghorns of passing ships.
Entry is into a gracious hallway showcasing the high stud, kauri floorboards and a beamed ceiling hung with chandeliers. This flows into the renovated kitchen-dining with scullery, smart in black and white with marble benchtops and custom cabinetry.
It opens wide to the sizeable deck Stewart added, where and his partner love sitting with friends and a glass of wine. It has a gas outdoor fireplace in a tiled black surround and a Louvretec roof which can be adjusted to deal with abundant northerly sun. Also on this level are a lounge which can alternatively be a bedroom, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom.
The sizeable deck has a gas outdoor fireplace in a tiled black surround and a Louvretec roof.
The circa-1910 former boarding house had been extensively renovated when the current owner bought it, and it is set back on its 528sqm of land.
Stewart had a media room with soundproofing, screen and projector installed downstairs. The generous upstairs lounge, featuring one of the stained glass windows dotted around the home, opens to a balcony drinking in the water view.
A front bedroom neighbours another bathroom. The master bedroom with walk-through wardrobe and sea view has an immaculate ensuite influenced by Stewart’s early life as a plumber. “I insist on high-end German-sourced tapware.”
There’s also a sizeable office nook at one end of the upstairs hallway.
Stewart and his partner appreciate Herne Bay’s charm, with shopping, restaurants and a choice of supermarkets nearby. Any potential buyers with young children are bound to like the fact that Bayfield School is just over 100 metres away. The couple are downsizing to a luxury Parnell apartment.
Bayleys agent Cristina Casares says: “One of the things I love about this property is that it has retained some beautiful character features while being renovated for modern family living.”
- 201A Jervois Road in Herne Bay, Auckland, goes to auction on October 2
