Double grammar-zoned family properties popping up at this time of year are always enticing, and this early 1900s villa has a level of charm which struck its current owners straight away. Fiona and Dave bought here in early 2018, looking for an appealing, conveniently located family home with great school zoning to suit their blended family.
Fiona says: “I love character homes but, being in the building and construction industry, Dave quite liked the idea of something a bit newer. But as soon as we opened the front gate here we could see this place had wonderful villa charm accentuated by manicured gardens.
“I was falling for it before I even got to the wrap-around front veranda and beautiful leadlight front door.”
It helped that the 665sqm property had already undergone renovation and landscaping, with an inground swimming pool sparkling in the level backyard. It turned out Dave knew the previous owners bar one, who’d undertaken many of the changes, affirming his thoughts about the quality of improvements.
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Fiona and Dave have renovated the family bathroom and ensuite, updated some décor, covered the rear deck and done some landscaping of their own.
The pleasingly private property is on the preferred side of Ohinerau Street. It is safeguarded by a high front hedge and a pedestrian gate, with roller-door access at the street front to the covered double carport, which is enclosed on three sides.
It’s zoned for Remuera Primary School, Remuera Intermediate – just 300 metres away – and double grammar. It’s only about 10 minutes’ walk to Remuera Village or to the Greenlane train station.
The inground swimming pool and spa pool in the level backyard have been hugely popular with the children.
The early 1900s villa has retained some of its character and charm.
“And while we don’t hear the motorway, it’s so easy to nip onto it from here.”
A compact front lawn with neat paving and structured garden introduces the single-storey weatherboard home. Its front return veranda and exterior colour scheme of off-white teamed with grey veranda balustrades and columns emanates charm.
The charm continues with a leadlight front door and surrounds, opening to original native timber flooring in the hallway. Perhaps the most enticing character feature is the intricate two-level pressed tin ceiling in the centrally located lounge with fireplace.
The hallway dog-legging around this lounge feeds four bedrooms including the master with upgraded ensuite, plus the renovated family bathroom incorporating a cupboarded laundry.
The kitchen-dining-family room flows out to the covered rear deck where the homeowners often dine alfresco.
The 152sqm villa has four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and sits on a 665sqm section.
Another leadlight door topped by a leadlight window at the end of the hallway heralds the layout opening up into the kitchen-dining-family room. This flows out to the covered rear deck where they often dine alfresco around a big table or fire up the Weber.
“It feels like a big outdoor room and it’s great to be able to sit out there rain or fine.”
The inground swimming pool with spa pool alongside is orientated for the sun and has the ability to be heated. The pool and spa pool have been hugely popular with the children as they’ve grown up. Level and private back lawn completes the picture.
The couple will miss this convivial, family-friendly street but are selling as most of their children have flown or will soon fly the nest.
Ray White’s Steve Koerber says: “Ohinerau is one of a few central Remuera streets known for its pretty villas. This single-level stunner enjoys brilliant flow to a big pool and superb privacy.”
- 30 Ohinerau Street, Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on December 4
