Some homes can have the power to captivate from afar, as the current owner of this mid-century home at 34 Sonia Avenue, in Remuera, discovered when living far away in a New York brownstone.
New Zealand-born Barbara first saw an advertisement online for this property several years ago when she was living overseas and it was largely original. Soon to be homeward bound, she saw it advertised online again in 2018, after interior designer Kate Thode and her husband had bought and majorly renovated it.
Barbara, who is a renewable energy projects lawyer, says: “I flew out from New York for a week in 2018, saw it and signed up. I didn’t look at any other houses, which sounds a bit crazy now. I’ve had a long-term interest in architectural design, but I’m not wedded to any one particular style.
“But this felt special. And on the practical side, it ticked all the right boxes for my family, with great school zoning and an easy commute to the CBD.”
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This double grammar-zoned, 1960s design by Pope, Sargent & Smith is down a no-exit street off Victoria Avenue.
It retains many hallmark mid-century characteristics, such as its dramatically sloping roof, clean lines and northerly-facing wall of glass. It showcases split-level living, considered indoor-outdoor flow and distinct combination of materials – in this case wood, block and glass.
“Much of that is unexpected as you come down the driveway, as you don’t see that much on approach. Whereas, when my partner or I are in the rear garden, looking back past the swimming pool to the house, you take it all in.
“It’s cleverly designed and beautiful to live in. As the sun moves around, sunlight continues to flood through the wall of glass until the last of the evening sun is captured by high windows on the western side.”
The home showcases split-level living, considered indoor-outdoor flow and distinct combination of materials – in this case wood, block and glass.
The one living-dining wall, which continues along a hallway and stretches up to the upper level, is lined with tongue-and-groove cedar.
This era definitively favoured carports. The internal-access double one here at driveway level is secure behind the property’s electric entry gate and full fencing. It accompanies a storage room and laundry.
There are three split levels above this. A painted block wall runs throughout the centre of the house like a spine, incorporating decorative cutouts where it extends out towards the pool.
“I can be in different rooms and still keep an eye on the kids in the pool or our 10-month-old golden retriever in the garden.”
Barbara had previously completed multiple renovations. She changed a good portion of the décor here “to make it my space”, including re-wallpapering and re-carpeting several rooms.
She left the mid-level’s expertly designed galley kitchen off the living-dining untouched, likewise the home’s two immaculate bathrooms.
The home retains many hallmark mid-century characteristics, such as its dramatically sloping roof, clean lines and northerly-facing wall of glass.
The living-dining-kitchen opens out to entertaining decks and a retreat-like subtropical garden with salt-water pool.
Down a split level, the sizeable ensuited master bedroom with wall of wardrobing opens to a patio. The living-dining-kitchen opens out to entertaining decks and a retreat-like subtropical garden with salt-water pool. It has two bedrooms and a bathroom to one side.
Barbara had one living-dining wall, which continues along a hallway and stretches up to the upper level, lined with tongue-and-groove cedar.
She replaced carpet with beautiful American oak flooring throughout the top floor. This incorporates a void down to the open-plan area, an expansive family room with wood burner and front balcony, and a sitting room or bedroom. Barbara is selling as she is ready to take on another project.
Ray White agent Steve Koerber says: “This is one of those properties that is hidden away from the world, so much so that you wouldn’t expect to find such seclusion so close to the city.”
- 34 Sonia Avenue in Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on September 18
