Regarded by many as a local landmark, Stoneways – directly across the road from prestigious Auckland Grammar School – is a magnificent home, on 1212sqm, designed by celebrated architect William Gummer in the mid-1920s for his own family – and for a lifestyle that included lots of parties, including musical soirees at which a chamber orchestra would entertain guests in the elegant loggia.
Previous owners, using specialist heritage builders, had largely restored the double-cavity brick house at 46 Mountain Road, in Epsom, which has a Historic Places Trust category 1 designation – rescuing it from a state of significant disrepair – just prior to current owners Bhuvan and Jyothi buying the property in 2022.
Jyothi says that she and Bhuvan have made many further improvements, re-painting some of the exterior and waterproofing the deck. They’ve also tidied up the section, which she says was a huge undertaking.
“Many people hardly knew the house was here but now that we’ve cleared trees and overgrown shrubs from the front, you can see it perfectly and everything looks so much better. We did the same at the rear, trimming the hedge down from eight metres to two metres.”
Start your property search
Bhuvan comments that they can now see the city from their master bedroom as well as from the roof – which can be accessed in order to enjoy the surrounding vista from a unique position. The couple have also installed heat pumps in the upstairs bedrooms and put in some new chandeliers.
46 Mountain Road in Epsom, Auckland, is on the market for sale by way of auction on May 15. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $5.1 million and, according to OneRoof, data last changed hands in 2022 for $5.15m.
Stoneways has a Historic Places Trust category 1 designation and is directly across the road from Auckland Grammar School in Epsom. Photo / Supplied
The loggia is sill as splendid as it was in William Gummer's day. Photo / Supplied
Jyothi says that living in the home with its stunning period features has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It provides plenty of space for her, Bhuvan, and their young twin daughters, with three very generous further bedrooms in addition to the master suite, which has its own sunroom, enormous dressing room and a five-star, hotel-class marble bathroom.
The living areas are vast, and the separate dining room is the very height of classic luxury.
The kitchen has been carefully designed with the entertainer in mind and features a large scullery for extra storage and keeping food preparation out of sight – plus there is also a bar, and the loggia is still as splendid as it was in Gummer’s day and could easily accommodate large gatherings again.
Listing agent Wei Wei Elder, from Bayleys, says that her vendors have worked hard to add value to this special property where much of the built-in furniture William Gummer designed is still in place – having been lovingly restored in the previous renovation.
The living areas are elegant with high ceilings, chandeliers and open fire places. Photo / Supplied
Original features like this staircase have been lovingly preserved by successive owners since Gummer built it in the mid-1920s. Photo / Supplied
She adds that there is a separate self-contained one-bedroom studio at the rear of the home, ample garaging and the potential to put in a pool if future owners should desire.
Bhuvan, Jyothi and their daughters are moving south for business reasons and are heartbroken to be leaving Stoneways.
“It’s been so convenient,” says Bhuvan.
“The mall at 277 is just 10 minutes walk, the city is nearby and you can cycle to Auckland Domain. Then if you need the motorway – going north or south – it’s really easy to get onto it.”
The couple say owning this important slice of history was a privilege they will never forget.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
