When the current owners of this beautiful heritage property in one of Birkenhead Point’s most historic streets bought their much-loved family home almost 30 years ago, the then-vendor handed them a three-page note detailing some fascinating aspects of its life, complete with colourful insights into previous owners and iterations.
A Mr Edward Button originally owned the land and it’s believed that the house, with its exquisite hand-cut fretwork, was built in the late 1880s.
A famed professor of mining, and a Baptist church minister are believed to have owned the property subsequently, and notable Hinemoa Street neighbours over more than 150 years have included Henry Haywood, who established the Birkenhead and Northcote cinemas and hosted music travelling troupes in his home, while John Court, founder of the legendary department store on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets, which bore his name, was another well-known local.
73 Hinemoa Street in Birkenhead Point, North Shore City, Auckland, is for sale by way of auction on February 13. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $3.5 million and, according to OneRoof data, it last changed hands in 1995 for $430,000.
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Today’s owner says that he and his wife could not have wished for a better place to bring up their two – now grown-up – daughters.
“Essentially, we’ve had three separate living spaces, which was great when the girls were teenagers because we were able to establish study areas and they also had easy access to very good schools.”
The current owners have done two significant renovations during their time in residence and have retained a cool and contemporary neutral palette throughout. Photo / Supplied
A Mr Edward Button originally owned the land and it’s believed that the house, with its exquisite hand-cut fretwork, was built in the late 1880s. Photo / Supplied
While Hinemoa Street is well-known, it isn’t especially busy, and the owner says that the property is incredibly peaceful and private.
“I think it’s because we’re essentially in a dead end, with the ferry access at the end of the street and there’s very little traffic at night, in particular.”
He and his wife have done two significant renovations during their time in residence and have retained a cool and contemporary neutral palette throughout. Three bedrooms including the master suite with its walk-in wardrobe and own bathroom are on the ground floor – along with the family room, family bathroom and laundry while on the first floor lies a relaxed open-plan kitchen, living and dining space, a further single bedroom and bathroom as well as a combined bedroom and living room.
“We have wonderful views. You can see Rangitoto from the kitchen upstairs, while the dining room looks out at the Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower,” says the owner.
The current owners bought 73 Hinemoa Street, in Birkenhead Point, in 1995 for $430,000. Photo / Supplied
The house is 240sqm and sits on 822sqm of land in one of the suburb’s most historic streets. Photo / Supplied
He says that the neighbourhood is still close-knit, just as it was in the 1880s.
“We’ve been here nearly 30 years – but some of our neighbours have lived in their homes for 40 or 50 years and many of us have become very close friends.”
He and his wife are embarking on the next stage of their lives and moving to an apartment near the CBD and he says one of the things they’ll miss most is entertaining at 73 Hinemoa Street. “The house, and the garden have seen lots of really lovely occasions – there’s loads of room and just a really nice atmosphere.”
Listing agents Jordan Selwyn and Brooke Barrass, from Harcourts, believe this is a superior property in a fantastic location.
“It’s unusual for a house like this to have been modernised so extensively and so well and the scale of it is very impressive,” says Jordan.
- 73 Hinemoa Street in Birkenhead Point, North Shore City, goes to auction on February 13
