When couple Ben and Sammi were looking for a family home around this area they felt like they’d found somewhere really out of the ordinary.
“We felt it was very unusual to find an old-world character home with modern functionality that would cater well for a family, on the flat in Mission Bay,” says Ben.
The couple understand the 1930s home, designed by prominent architect Basil Hooper, was only the fourth house built in Mission Bay and is now the second oldest standing in the suburb. Hooper made a name for himself designing Arts & Crafts-influenced homes in Dunedin, later moving to Auckland.
25 Marau Crescent in Mission Bay, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on May 31. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $2.825 million and, according to OneRoof records, last changed hands at the end of 2020 for $2.56m.
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“This home has a bit of a fairy-tale, storybook feeling and you can throw a towel over your shoulder and walk to the beach in two minutes,” says Ben.
He and Sammi had predominantly been based north of the Harbour Bridge before buying here two-and-a-half years ago to be closer to Meadowlands, where Ben had been appointed to a role as a real estate branch manager.
Since living at this property one block back from Mission Bay’s waterfront they’ve had son Enzo, now 11 months old.
The living room has plenty of natural light with native timber floors running through the kitchen, dining and living room. Photo / Supplied
The house sits well on the site, in the south-western corner, giving good outdoor living and sun on the north-eastern side of the home. Photo / Supplied
“This property is in a great position because you feel so connected to the Bays’ lifestyle with all the cafes and restaurants and the beach,” says Ben.
“And yet it’s actually pretty peaceful as the buildings between us and the waterfront block out a lot of noise, so you might just hear pleasant, ambient sound on the weekends; seagulls and families enjoying themselves.
“We love walking around the waterfront and have also liked the fact we’re so close to Newmarket, Sylvia Park and the CBD.”
The owners before them had extensively renovated, introducing modern liveability while retaining character features. Ben and Sammi have repainted inside and out, evolved the landscaping and added a spa pool which is included in the sale.
The property is fully fenced and its frontage incorporates a single garage with a single carport attached to that, plus a picket fence incorporating a secure pedestrian gate.
“The house is located well on the site, in the south-western corner of the section so you get good outdoor living and sun on the north-eastern side of the home,” says Ben.
The current owners understand the 1930s home was designed by prominent architect Basil Hooper and was only the fourth house built in Mission Bay. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen has a separate laundry nearby which doubles as a scullery, and French doors open out to tiered decks for alfresco entertaining or soaking in the spa. Photo / Supplied
An entry foyer with a cloakroom incorporates the feature timber staircase. Native timber floors gleam in the kitchen-dining-living room, the latter having a gas fireplace to bolster central heating.
“The living room’s really nice with plenty of natural light and quite a lot of exposure to the skyline because of the high stud,” he says.
The kitchen has a separate laundry nearby which doubles as a scullery and French doors open out to tiered decks for alfresco entertaining or soaking in the spa. A bedroom and bathroom complete this level. Upstairs three bedrooms accompany a walk-in wardrobe and another bathroom.
Now Ben has been made branch manager in Whangaparaoa their household is moving back to that area, where they have family.
Barfoot & Thompson listing agent Aaron Foss says: “If you’re looking for a character home by the sea, only footsteps to Mission Bay beach and promenade, this is an exemplary one-off property.”
