When Regan and Annette Doherty first laid eyes on what would become their family home for the next 30 years, they were immediately taken by the grand entrance and warm, welcoming ambience.
“We walked up the drive and just went ‘WOW’,” recalls Annette. “I loved that you opened the front doors into a huge entrance – I could imagine a bride gliding down those stairs into the foyer!”
12B Cullwick Road in Mission Bay, Auckland City is a large, well-established family home that has been expertly maintained over the last three decades. Featuring four generous bedrooms, two bathrooms, and multiple living zones, the home caters for intimate family living through to easy entertaining.
The Dohertys are the only people who have ever lived in 12B Cullwick Road; the finishing touches were being added when they first visited the property in 1993.
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Since then, the 300sqm house set down a long driveway has become a wonderful generational home.
After 30 years in the home, the Dohertys are putting it up for sale by way of auction on November 28. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $2.725 million and, according to OneRoof, last changed hands in 1993 for $585,000.
With four bedrooms, two bathrooms and multiple living zones, the home caters for intimate family living through to easy entertaining. Photo / Supplied
“We’ve had 21st and 70th birthday parties here, and the grandkids have had a lot of fun setting up tents in the backyard over the years,” recalls Annette.
“For many years our niece would stay for the holidays, and her teddy bear named Sophie would have great fun bungee-jumping between the top and middle floors. We’ve had many birthday parties for Sophie Bear too!”
Upstairs is Annette’s favourite spot in the house: the Juliet balcony off the master bedroom.
“When it’s sunny I sit out there and read my book. I also have a lovely chair just inside the bedroom doors, so when it’s a bit brisk outside I can still relax and soak in the sun,” she says.
An easy 10-minute walk from the heart of Mission Bay and its myriad cafes and restaurants, 12B Cullwick Road is perfectly positioned for anyone who loves getting out and about.
“It’s been fantastic to walk down to the movies or go out for dinner without having to worry about how we’ll get home,” says Regan. “It’s very easy to hop on the bus and head into the city or out to Saint Heliers – you don’t really need a car to live here.”
The homeowners bought 12B Cullwick Road as the finishing touches were being added when they first viewed the property in 1993. Photo / Supplied
Listing agent Wayne Maguire, of Ray White, says: “This is the kind of property you could spend another 30 years in.” Photo / Supplied
In 2011 the Dohertys carried out a complete makeover of the property, from painting and wallpapering to installing stone flooring and a new kitchen.
Regan says when they tell others that they’ve lived in the home for 30 years, they can’t believe it’s in such good condition. “We’ve always been proud of this home, to call it home, and it shows,” he says.
Ray White agent Wayne Maguire, who is marketing the property with Anya Khominich, says Cullwick Road is a coveted street, and once you’re in, you never want to leave.
“When agents turn up on a street to see a house for the very first time, we look around and say, ‘I hope it’s that one’. In this case, it was,” he says.
“We often see the same properties cycle through the market every couple of years, but if you see a property come up that’s been in the same hands for 30 years, you know it’s a good one. This is the kind of property you could spend another 30 years in.”
Annette says while it’s bittersweet to leave 12B Cullwick Road, it’s the right time.
“We have had many happy times here – I’m getting a bit teary just thinking about it – but it’s time to move on and let a new family experience the wonder of living here,” she says.
- 12B Cullwick Road in Mission Bay, Auckland, goes to auction on November 28
