“I can’t pick the best thing about this house,” says Cherie Barker from Ray White Real Estate. “There’s nothing lacking here – I absolutely love it.”
She admits that’s unusual for a real estate agent, but 127 Mountain Road is an unusual property and one of very few grand villas in and around the Auckland suburb of Epsom.
“It’s beautifully located close to Westfield and good schools, it has grand proportions, many original features remain, the preservation is impeccable, and it has great charm and character.”
Originally owned by a merchant, it was moved to its present 1262sqm site from the Princes Street area in the city in 1903. It later became a boarding house for the nuns nursing at nearby Mercy Hospital.
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Now, it’s a stately home bought by its current owners in 2016, featuring white-painted weatherboard cladding, verandahs at ground level and balconies above, arched windows and charming formal gardens.
127 Mountain Road in Epsom is on the market for sale by a set date closing March 30. It has a 2021 RV of $5.9 million and, according to OneRoof data, it last changed hands in 2016 for $5.36m.
According to a family representative, the historic home certainly spoke to its present owners, who had been searching everywhere for the right house. “They had even looked at new-builds, but there were none that suited their taste,” said Danny Chia. This one did.
The covered conservatory, which has a fireplace and can be enclosed against the weather, has a spectacular mosaic tiled floor and overlooks the heated pool. Photo / Supplied
There was very little that needed to be done to the home, as over time renovations had been done to a high standard, preserving the character of the house while also updating it to meet modern standards of comfort and convenience.
The current owners had only to add double glazing, insulation and sound-proofing throughout to meet their own exacting requirements.
But it’s the superb pressed-steel ceilings, wide hallway, elegant staircase, mosaic tiled floors, numerous fireplaces, chandeliers and expansive spaces that really steal hearts.
Spread over 455sqm, this is a five-bedroom home with four bathrooms, including the master which has a large, full-mirrored bathroom and dressing room. All the bedrooms have ample space for comfortable sitting areas.
There are two living rooms, a library, an office, a large kitchen and formal and informal dining areas downstairs.
“The very large formal dining area off the kitchen has a huge fireplace that is wonderful for entertaining. You can imagine past eras when everyone dressed up for formal dinner parties,” Barker says.
Spread over 455sqm, the home has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, triple garaging, two living rooms, a library, office, two dining areas, a conservatory and pool, which all sit on 1262sqm. Photo / Supplied
127 Mountain Road was originally owned by a merchant, and moved to its present site in Epsom in 1903. It later became a boarding house for the nuns working at nearby Mercy Hospital. Photo / Supplied
In the present-day era the owners, who are currently overseas, have also hosted many friends and relatives for holidays and family gatherings.
The kitchen, family and dining rooms all open to the covered conservatory, which has a fireplace and can be enclosed against the weather. This elegant space has a spectacular mosaic tiled floor and overlooks the heated pool.
There’s a spacious study on the ground floor which is ideal for work from home, and large enough for client meetings, alongside one of the standout features of this property – the library. Lined with enough built-in shelving to accommodate the most voracious readers, it’s a retreat for those who love their books. There’s a little nook to one side where you can curl up and read.
Barker finally nominates this room as her “best thing about the house.” She is marketing this house with colleague Ken Choong.
