Current owner Matt says it’s hard to imagine a better location than Bradford Street in Auckland’s oldest suburb, Parnell, right on the edge of the CBD, where this classic 1880s villa – divided into two, many years ago and separated from its neighbour by a double brick wall – provides the perfect alternative to apartment living.
“We bought it about five years ago and it had previously been with the same owners for about 35 years, so it was very tired, and we quickly rejuvenated the interior – painting most of it in classic white, then we also fixed up the decks.”
Matt says he has considered many other ways in which the home, which comprises a kitchen plus a separate dining room, lounge, bathroom and two bedrooms on the ground floor, could be enhanced.
“There’s actually been a letter from council saying that the heritage overlay is being removed because there have been so many renovations over the years that there’s little heritage value actually left.”
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He says this is good news as it opens up a myriad of exciting possibilities for the home with its high ceilings and traditional timber floorboards.
“I think you would combine the kitchen and dining rooms to make one big bright space and you could also push the roof up a little and turn the huge master bedroom up there into two or maybe even three bedrooms, with a bathroom.”
2 Bradford Street in Parnell, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on June 20. The three-bedroom, one-bathroom property has a 2021 CV of $1.675 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2019 for $1.605m.
The three-bedroom, one-bathroom property has off-street parking with a 2021 CV of $1.675m.
The owner says the council removed the heritage overlay from the apartment, opening up a myriad of possibilities for the home.
Matt had the property registered with Airbnb for quite a while and says it was booked out every single night at $400.
“The proximity to Spark Arena, the hospital, the university and of course the city made it incredibly popular with guests and more recently we’ve had it rented – which also went well.”
Tanya Kwasza, from Ray White, is marketing the property – which enjoys lovely views – and says that it puts her in mind of chic and sophisticated terraced housing in Sydney.
She agrees with owner Matt that potential to improve what she calls ‘this pretty Parnell princess’ is practically boundless, noting that a plan drawn up for a possible contemporary kitchen renovation is available.
The apartment was registered on Airbnb and booked out every single night at $400.
The property is zoned double grammar and is a quick stroll away from Parnell Road.
She suggests that the section would benefit greatly from being landscaped, creating the perfect atmosphere for leafy alfresco dining in summer.
Tanya too is impressed by the location – the property is zoned double grammar and is a quick stroll away from Parnell Road with its chic interior stores, restaurants, cafes, shops and bars and Fraser Park is practically on the doorstep. Public transport is plentiful and regular and motorway access is nearby, while city workers can easily walk, cycle or scoot to their workplaces and the property does have off-street parking.
Matt says that 2 Bradford Street offers an ideal opportunity for buyers to move into a desirable suburb, at an affordable price. “It’s a very nice area to live in.”
- 2 Bradford Street in Parnell, Auckland, goes to auction on June 20
