The current owner of this remarkable waterside estate grew up in the Mount Wellington area and had no intention of returning there as an adult.
He says when a real estate agent friend told him about 296 Panama Road, he replied immediately that he wasn’t interested. “Then he said it had a jetty and I told him I’d meet him there in 10 minutes – and after that, the rest is history.”
The jetty has gone now although it could be reinstated, subject to consents and council approval, and the owner has never regretted buying the property.
“Back then, in 1983, it was just a three-bedroom shack, and the section was littered with diesel parts and old caravans – you couldn’t even see the river, but my late wife and I tidied it up as best we could.”
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Twenty-five years ago, the couple decided to update the property and embarked on a major project which saw a new bedroom, living room and garage added, along with a carefully designed wine cellar with polyurethane walls and a tiled floor, where the temperature is consistently a connoisseur’s ideal 13 degrees.
“We used only the very best materials throughout including cedar board and batten cladding, aluminium joinery, with a Colorsteel roof,” the owner says.
The 220sqm residence has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage. Photo / Supplied
The homeowner says something is always happening on the Tamaki River. Photo / Supplied
His wife chose the striking interior colour scheme which includes lime green and royal blue, with red walls in the kitchen. “Yes, it’s a bit radical, but if you don’t like it, you could simply paint everything white,” he laughs.
A Fijian kauri deck is ideal for resting, relaxing and dining alfresco in summer.
296 Panama Road in Mt Wellington, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on April 30. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with a double garage has a 2021 RV of $1.875 million.
The owner says that being beside the Tamaki River, the existing sun-drenched north-facing house has a resort-like feel and constant activity out on the water is mesmerising.
“There’s always something happening – in the early morning and late afternoons you get the high school rowers, then at other times there are waka paddlers, jet-skis and locals fishing in their boats, dragging their nets, or throwing a line in.”
He says that there is a set of piles in front of the house, available by negotiation with the sale, which is ideal for a launch.
The owners embarked on a major renovation of the home 25 years ago. Photo / Supplied
The residence has a striking interior colour scheme which includes lime green and royal blue, with red walls in the kitchen. Photo / Supplied
The 1298sqm freehold site holds incredible potential, according to Bayleys agent William Liang, who is marketing the property.
He says that a developer or business person with vision will appreciate the fact that the unusually long boundary along the waterfront could accommodate a number of new waterfront properties with very appealing features – including stunning views.
The owner is sad to be selling the property, where he and his wife brought up their daughter – along with “countless” dogs and cats, but life further south on his farm beckons and he’s looking forward to embracing that lifestyle on a permanent basis.
Liang says that the auction is being held on-site and anybody is welcome to attend.
“The lucky buyer is going to get a great piece of waterfront land, with exciting possibilities, at much less than they might pay elsewhere.”
- Sponsored by Bayleys
