Owners Phil and Bridgette were in the market for a character home on a large site when they first saw 128 Gray Avenue advertised.
The couple were living in an old bungalow in Avondale Heights at the time and hadn’t considered moving south but were seriously impressed at the gothic cottage villa’s impressive presence and intricate architectural features.
“It had been empty about six months when we came to view it,” says Bridgette.
“Willie Jackson owned it and he had bought David Lange’s place in Mangere Bridge. We both absolutely loved it and as Phil walked out, he stopped dead and announced, ‘I want this house’.”
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They purchased the property in December 2006 and have relished the opportunity to own such a gracious home with so much historical significance.
“It was built in 1856 so is a true museum piece – most houses this age are museums, not privately owned,” she says.
“It’s built from solid kauri – floorboards and internal walls. In fact the internal walls here are so thick your wireless wi-fi won’t go through the house from one end to the other.”
The homestead, known as Parkend, has had just 13 owners since 1854 and is woven into the rich tapestry of the local area’s history – originally developed by Catholic missionary, William Thomas Fairburn.
Phil and Bridgette have the full list of the owners and even a framed photo of who they believe to be William Fairburn. This special and very unique heritage has been at the forefront of their renovations over the years, as they have updated the home to better suit family life for themselves and their two daughters.
All the character features have been retained and enhanced throughout, including the arches in the front porch and the hallway.
128 Gray Avenue in Papatoetoe was once owned by Labour MP Willie Jackson, according to the current homeowner.
All features have been beautifully retained and enhanced throughout, including the front porch’s gothic arches, that are replicated along the hallway inside. The rooms have also been kept in their original layout. Painters and decorators by trade, the couple have enriched the spaces with a classic colour palette.
“When we bought the house, everything was beige and we haven’t had one person through that has said it’s too colourful now,” says Bridgette.
“We painted so we could highlight and maximise all the character features. We use Paint Plus, the same as what’s used in the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels, Windsor Castle in England and on movie sets,” Phil adds.
The kitchen is brand new and the flooring and backsplash were imported from Italy. Bridgette has also curated many of the pieces that enhance the grandeur inside, including the American crystal chandelier that illuminates the hallway.
“I’ve collected a lot of antiques over the years, I’m not a modern girl and never have been,” she says.
As well as a historical showpiece, it’s been a super spacious and very practical and liveable family home.
“It’s an incredibly easy entertaining house because upstairs there’s an attic playroom, the same size as the kitchen. Little ones disappear for hours on end and the parents can sit around the antique kauri dining table and have a few beers or wines and sit back and eat and relax while the kids are safely playing.”
As well as being a historical showpiece, the home is a spacious, practical and liveable family home.
The kitchen is brand new and the flooring and backsplash were imported from Italy.
There are five bedrooms and two bathrooms in the main house, along with two sleepouts, which each have their own ensuite.
Phil says the 1532sqm park-like grounds have been a little oasis in South Auckland and the couple have done the driveway and planted the hedges out front for privacy.
The neighbourhood is also in handy proximity to Kings College, Middlemore Hospital, Train Station and The Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Course.
“Both our daughters were born here, but they’re now at boarding school and we’ve spent the last five years transitioning to my family farm on the Waikato,” says Bridgette.
“My wish is that it goes to an extended family because the house just works so incredibly well for family life.”
Leonie Stabler, from Barfoot & Thompson, says that Phil and Bridgette have stayed true to the property’s special heritage when making it lovely modern home.
“There’s lot of opportunity for blended families or multi-generational living here, plus potential to use as Airbnb.”
- Sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson
