A cottage once owned by TV chefs Hudson and Halls is up for grabs, offering buyers a chance to buy a piece of culinary history.
The three-bedroom house at 103 Brighton Road, in Auckland's Parnell, was bought by Peter Hudson and David Halls in the 1960s and the duo made it their own.
Colourfully described by one visitor as "p*** elegant", the interior of the cottage was a riot of stapled fabric and swirling patterns while the exterior featured Greek statues and, frequently, empty wine bottles.
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According to the duo's biographer Joanne Drayton, their home was party central, and stood in contrast to the restrictive, "humdrum conformity of early 1960s Auckland".
Drayton recounts: "Brighton Road was the perfect place to entertain, and Peter and David had the culinary flair to pull it off. The occasion began for most people with drinks, but if you became a friend the parties could get larger and more elaborate.
103 Brighton Road was party central in the 1960s. Photo / Supplied
"Brighton Road was transgressive, and just being there helped party-goers loosen up, especially when revelries were mixed with large amounts of alcohol. In this atmosphere of tolerance, Peter and David’s sexuality became to a large extent irrelevant. They didn’t discuss it; they didn’t make an issue of it."
The chefs slept in just one tiny bedroom, which featured two single beds, Drayton notes.
The pair's cookery antics were a staple of New Zealand TV from 1976 to 1986, before they moved to the UK. Hudson died of cancer in 1992, and Halls died the following year.
Ray White Orakei sales agent Donna Watts, who is marketing the property along with James Pemberton, says the house has good bones but is crying out for a loving touch.
"103 Brighton Road will be of interest to those looking for a renovation challenge. These types of heritage properties rarely come to the market in Parnell, but what makes this house extra special is its colourful history."
The house, which has a rating valuation of $1.875 million, was built in the 1900s and is to be auctioned at 5pm at Ray White Remuera offices on May 8.
Watts says the property boasts a generous freehold site on a prestigious street and includes terraced style outdoor entertaining areas and a swimming pool
"Buyers with vision will be quick to see potential for extension, and there are multiple options for the house itself from redevelopment to modernising."
