When Hugh Harvey’s great-great grandfather arrived in New Zealand from Scotland in 1863, he randomly walked past an auction and decided on a whim to place a bid on some land. He won it ... but immediately afterwards had to ask the auctioneer what he’d bought, where it was, and how he could get there to inspect it.
It turns out he’d just bought a strip of absolute waterfront land in Algies Bay, about an hour north of modern-day Auckland. Over the years the land has been cut into sections and sold off or handed down to family.
Today, 1 and 3 Willjames Avenue, Mahurangi East, Rodney are the last remaining blocks. They are also for sale by tender closing March 14.
“My grandmother inherited these sections after her father, William James (hence the street name), passed away,” says Hugh.
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“When she passed, she left both sections to my mother. When my mother passed too, the land was left to me and my three siblings. My grandchildren are now the seventh generation to have used this property.”
1 and 3 Willjames Avenue is a one-of-a-kind property package that offers a savvy buyer piles of potential. Number 1 is located right on the beach, elevated enough to protect the land from high tide and provide pristine views across Algies Bay and out to Kawau Island, but close enough for effortless access to everything the water offers.
The mid-1990s cedar weatherboard home is warm, comfortable and quintessentially Kiwi, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Photo / Supplied
Number 1 is the front property and measures 2383sqm with a 220sqm residence while Number 3 is the vacant plot behind it with 1910sqm. Photo / Supplied
The mid-1990s cedar weatherboard home is warm, comfortable and quintessentially Kiwi, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and plenty of room for all the cousins and grandkids to camp on the floor. Number 3 is right next door and is vacant.
“It used to be a holiday home for my family, until my mother inherited it and built her retirement home which is what’s standing today,” says Hugh.
“My daughters spent a lot of time there with my mother, and now that she’s passed they’ve spent a lot of time there with their own families. It’s been a wonderful legacy.”
The proximity to the water is the prime attraction for some of the family.
“My sister’s husband is a mad fisherman and diver. They used to come up a week before Christmas and spend a month here every year. Because the public boat ramp is right next door it’s always been really easy to get out there and catch a bit of dinner.”
Algies Bay is about an hour north of Auckland, and 1 and 3 Willjames Avenue have been the venue for seven generations of family holidays. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Kellie Bissett says waterfront Willjames Avenue is arguably the best location in Algies Bay.
“An iconic position beside one of the most well-regarded bays in the region, this would have to be the harbourmaster’s pick of the coastline with a boat ramp as your neighbour,” she says.
“Purchase one section or both – it’s up to you. Each site can be subdivided with huge scope for development and investment. That said, the new owner might want to retain the generous front and back site together for a luxury beachfront residence.”
For Hugh and his siblings, it’s been a tough decision to move on – but it’s time.
“Of the four of us, I’m the only one who’s left in the area, and I don’t even like fishing,” he laughs. “We all have some wonderful memories of our time here, but it’s time to pass it onto another family to make their own.”
- 1 and 3 Willjames Avenue in Mahurangi East, Rodney, are for sale by tender closing March 14
