Standing proudly at the pinnacle of this cul-de-sac, drinking in panoramic elevated views, this landmark home in Mount Eden was built in 1926 for a notable Auckland family.
And while its 1896sqm park-like grounds, tennis court, ballroom and many character features live on, owners Jay and Robyn say its brilliance as a family home is what has kept them here for 22 years.
Jay says: “It’s grand but not a pretentious home. We’ve had two boys ripping through it with all their friends.”
Many neighbourhood kids have delighted in sliding down the original laundry chute between levels.
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29 Rahiri Road in Mt Eden, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on February 28. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $11 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2001 for $1.9m.
The couple fell in love with this triple grammar school-zoned property relocating from America in 1992 with their four and two-year-old sons.
Kiwi-born Robyn says: “I momentarily considered getting rid of the rear tennis court but am so glad we didn’t. The boys learned to ride bikes on it safely away from the road and played cricket, touch rugby, tennis and basketball there.”
Designed by architect Edmund Rupert Morton, the property’s relatively few owners include late pioneering heart surgeon Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes.
The foyer with a grand staircase feeds the large front living room. Photo / Supplied
A landscape architect designed the adjoining entertaining patio with outdoor fireplace, which steps down to a spa pool patio and another patio which complements the pool. Photo / Supplied
There’s a single street-front garage and a gated driveway up to an internal-access double carport with e-car charger.
Robyn says: “Even the view from the entry porch is stunning.”
The foyer with grand staircase feeds the large front living room where Jay enjoys alternating between watching TV and admiring the breathtaking northerly view.
He says: “We see One Tree Hill, Mt Hobson, Rangitoto, the top of the Coromandel, Mt Eden, the Sky Tower, West Harbour and the Waitakeres.”
Robyn says: “Living peacefully and privately up at the end of this cul-de-sac in these beautiful grounds you feel like you’re living in the countryside, but with the convenience of the city on your doorstep.”
Nowadays heat pumps accompany marvellous original radiators, still functioning but now heated by a gas boiler rather than coal.
An atmospheric dining room has English oak panelling and built-in cabinetry. They installed the kitchen with butler’s pantry, melding with the family dining area.
A landscape architect designed the adjoining entertaining patio with outdoor fireplace, which steps down to a spa pool patio and another patio which complements their pool.
The former ballroom is now a surround-sound media room, flanked by two bedrooms (one currently used as an office) and a bathroom. Photo / Supplied
An atmospheric dining room has English oak panelling and built-in cabinetry. Photo / Supplied
Robyn says: “We’ve entertained here a lot, from informal get-togethers to catered parties with a marquee and a band.”
Professional director Jay’s office, a laundry and powder room complete this level.
Of the upper level’s ballroom, Robyn says: “Apparently it had an orchestra pit and smoking room at each end when it hosted dances with American servicemen.”
Nowadays it hosts a surround-sound media room, flanked by two bedrooms (one currently Robyn’s office) and a bathroom. Up half a level the master suite accompanies two more bedrooms, an annex room, an art deco-esque bathroom and powder room.
They reconfigured the front master suite with sitting room where Robyn adores curling up reading. Creating two walk-in wardrobes and an ensuite here is one of the myriad of improvements they’ve made, coupled with thorough maintenance. They added the front swimming pool, with pool bathroom nearby, in 2021.
Their sons have left home and the couple are building a new home very near this one.
Barfoot & Thompson agent Linda Galbraith, who is marketing the property, says: “This wonderful family home is comfortable but not ostentatious. It’s a private estate providing everything you need with its tennis court, swimming pool, spa and work-from-home facilities.”
- 29 Rahiri Road in Mt Eden, Auckland, goes to auction on February 28
