Nowadays luxurious multi-million-dollar residences abound near this less ostentatious home where couple Sel and Patty happily lived out their days till both were in their 90s, revelling in north-facing harbour views.
The pair, who have now both passed away, bought the double grammar-zoned brick-and-cedar residence in 1989 when they were in their 60s.
They’d previously raised four children in a large Remuera character home.
One of their children says: “My mother always had an interest in real estate and was particularly interested in this street. This property was only about five years old when they bought here and they lived here for nearly 35 years.
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“They both absolutely loved this home and this friendly neighbourhood and were determined to stay here for as long as possible.
“It’s pleasantly quiet as it’s on a corner site some distance from the main road. And of course it gets lovely views, taking in the historic boatsheds near Tamaki Drive and looking out across Hobson Bay to the harbour.”
Burwood Crescent properties are tightly held, with some of its clifftop mansions now valued at $10 million and more.
“In a sense my parents had all the advantages of being on a clifftop without the problems which can occur if you’re right on the edge of a clifftop.”
The children of the late owners says their parents bought the double grammar-zoned property in 1989.
Burwood Crescent properties are tightly held, with some of its clifftop mansions now valued at $10m and more.
They knew this property and its 320sqm freehold section would require considerably less maintenance than their previous character home. But it would still allow them to have some garden on its beautifully flat land and enjoy privacy and outdoor living behind its full fencing.
“Quite a few Burwood Crescent properties are down right-of-ways but my parents could drive straight into their internal-access double garage here, just metres from the road. My father liked his independence and was still driving in his nineties.”
They were conveniently located only two kilometres from Remuera Village and handy to their local doctors and to Parnell. This address, also zoned for Victoria Avenue School and Remuera Intermediate School, is close to many private schools.
The couple’s two grandsons attended St Kentigern Primary about 450 metres from this home, coming to their Grandma Patty and Grandad Sel’s after school some afternoons.
“They were well fed and I think it was a bit of a highlight for them.”
Over the years former chartered accountant Sel and former gift shop owner-homemaker Patty tweaked the home to their liking, including adding another upstairs bedroom to drink in more of that splendid outlook.
The living-dining expanse and the kitchen alongside both open to the patio, barbecue area and garden.
The views take in the historic boatsheds near Tamaki Drive and look out across Hobson Bay to the harbour.
The kitchen and bathrooms are mercifully free of ‘80s pastels, having all been tidily renovated.
Visitors enter through a pedestrian gate near a nice patch of lawn, passing under a wisteria clad pergola to the front door. The living-dining expanse and the kitchen alongside both open to the patio, barbecue area and garden.
“It’s probably quite unusual to have such spacious living given it’s a relatively compact section.”
A bedroom, bathroom and separate laundry complete this level. Two of the three upstairs bedrooms have front balconies, one being the master with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite access into the upstairs bathroom.
Patty had a card table set up in another bedroom for jigsaws, alternating between contemplating the puzzle and the view. There’s also attic storage space.
Bayleys agent Steve Koerber says: “Across the street on the Remuera waterfront there are several large modern luxury homes. This modest home at 14A Burwood Cresent could be redeveloped into a smaller version of the mansions nearby.”
- 14A Burwood Crescent in Remuera, Auckland, is for sale by auction on March 7
