The working-class people who built their modest weatherboard homes in Grey Lynn and Ponsonby, around 100 years ago, would be astonished if they could see the modern-day incarnations of many of those villas and bungalows, but the original owner of 52 Rose Road would be especially blown away, and probably wouldn’t recognise the property at all.
Previously marketed just a few months ago as “a diamond in the rough”, it now presents as a completely rebuilt, totally brand-new, luxury oasis, not far from popular Ponsonby Road – and even the developer, Jason Wang, is rather stunned at the result.
“As a construction company we specialise in villas and the 523sqm site had particularly exciting potential, because it’s on a corner. This meant that by pushing the house to the left we could go higher in terms of height to boundary – adding another storey – and move the outdoor living to the right, for all-day sun,” he says.
The remarkable transformation, designed by Jones Architects, has seen practically every interior surface stripped, reframed, insulated and relined, a major job Wang says was well worth the effort on the part of his expert team.
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“We’ve been doing this for a while and we are totally dedicated to quality, because we know that whatever happens in the market there is always a demand for properties of this calibre.”
He adds that practically every aspect of the home’s exterior has been replaced too.
The interior features high ceilings and spacious living areas with an open-plan kitchen dining area and living room at its heart.
The property was marketed just a few months ago as “a diamond in the rough”; it now presents as a completely rebuilt, totally brand-new, luxury oasis.
The interior features high ceilings and spacious living areas with an open-plan kitchen dining area and living room at its heart. The pantry will delight keen home cooks and there’s the bonus of a separate laundry. With generous use of marble and cutting-edge lighting, elegance is evident everywhere.
A cosy TV room is a getaway for adults, or a hideaway for children and the three bedrooms on this level are all very generous. One enjoys an ensuite, while the other two share a luxury bathroom. There’s yet another bathroom adjacent to the internal-access double garage, (which has enough room for gym equipment).
It’s perfect for rinsing off after a swim in the pool, which lies beside extensive decking, where relaxing or entertaining are enhanced by an outdoor gas fire.
Upstairs, the primary suite is the ultimate in contemporary style.
The remarkable transformation, designed by Jones Architects, has seen practically every interior surface stripped, reframed, insulated and relined.
The pool lies beside extensive decking, where relaxing or entertaining are enhanced by an outdoor gas fire.
“It’s definitely what I would describe as ‘oversized’, and has views to the Sky Tower,” says Jason. He adds that they house is so bright, it’s rarely necessary to turn the lights on, and so well built that heating isn’t often required.
Edward Pack, of Bayleys, Ponsonby, believes that this is one of the most exciting properties to hit the local market in quite some time.
He admires the fact that despite producing what is essentially a completely new house, the developer has cleverly retained character from past eras.
“Not one aspect was untouched though. Even the lovely original stained-glass window went away to be restored. It’s just incredible,” he says.
- 52 Rose Road in Grey Lynn, Auckland, goes to auction on November 6
