When owner Michele bought this original two-storey villa 22 years ago, its sunny nature was the icing on the cake on top of its character, views and very convenient location.
16 Paget Street in Freemans Bay, Auckland is listed for sale with Harry Champtaloup of Ray White Remuera. According to OneRoof data, the property, to be sold at auction on June 9, last changed hands in 2000 for $630,000 – and has a 2021 rating valuation of $4.35 million.
“I loved character and wanted to stay in the Freemans Bay area for my next house because three of my children were still at home then and were going to school locally,” Michele recalls.
“What really appealed about this property was its sunniness. The sun goes right around this house from the east to the west so I knew there was always going to be beautiful sun and light, which isn’t always the way with villas.”
Start your property search
This location admires wide harbour and city views and has only become more sought after with Ponsonby’s evolution. It’s one street east of Ponsonby Road and Michele’s family have enjoyed gated laneway access from their backyard, coming out opposite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop, near Ponsonby Central.
“The house was in three flats when I bought it and was pretty rumpty after some renovations which I think must have been done in the late 1960s or early 1970s.”
The current homeowner completely renovated the villa which was three flats when she bought it 22 years ago. Photo / Supplied
Fortunately, additions such as pseudo-Spanish arches and shag-pile carpet could be peeled back, putting the focus back on the high-stud, kauri floors, leadlights and bay windows. Having a brother-in-law who was an architect helped with Michele’s considerable renovations, some of which accommodated one son being in a wheelchair.
As well as unifying the villa as one home with some inbuilt versatility, she made sloping rear lawn level through retaining. She installed a front double carport which accesses a tasteful and sizeable hydraulic lift which traverses the two levels above.
The entry hallway introduces the high ceilings and polished kauri floors. Its feature staircase has ornate side detailing which Michele emphasised by stripping paint off it.
Granite and stainless benches feature in the entry level’s modern kitchen, amongst the open-plan dining-kitchen-living room. This level also has an additional front lounge, bathroom-laundry, w.c. and two bedrooms opening to the rear.
Living flows out to the nicely private rear patio, gardens and lawn with sleepout. The sea and urban views are particularly lovely from upstairs’ master bedroom and from its front veranda fronting the third living area.
The third living area upstairs at 16 Paget Street in Freemans Bay has lovely city views from the front veranda. Photo / Supplied
The property has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, covered parking for two vehicles and a private rear patio with sleepout. Photo / Supplied
“I especially love it at sunset when all the sun is reflected off the buildings.”
This upstairs living having a second kitchen and lift access creates versatility. At one stage Michele considered using this as a self-contained level. It includes a bathroom and two more bedrooms which open out to a substantial upper-level rear deck.
Michele rates the convenience of this location highly, walking her somewhat stubborn dog Honey Badger in Western Park when the pug is feeling cooperative.
“And I never make a coffee. I just nip up to Café One2One to get one.” Her children are now all adults and she feels it’s time to downsize.
Agent Champtaloup says: “This trophy villa, in a prized location so close to Ponsonby Central, bathes in sun and panoramic harbour and city views while beautifully blending original character with extensive renovation.”
