While huge sections used to be prevalent in Remuera, Auckland, these days they’re less common and naturally this makes 12 Lucerne Road of special interest to families looking for loads of playing space (about 1120sqm) and also to developers who can appreciate the current dwelling and weigh up further potential.
The Arts and Crafts-style weatherboard and tile house is an absolute treasure. It was built in the 1920s and the current occupant moved there with her parents and siblings in the mid-1950s.
12 Lucerne Road in Remuera is on the market for sale by auction on June 21. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home has a 2021 RV of $4.15 million.
The current occupant says that it was in original condition when her family moved in almost 70 years ago and her father put in many hours restoring the kauri, rimu and matai woodwork. The French polished staircase in particular is a spectacular testament to his skills and hard work.
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The new kitchen was installed in 1955 and offers a fascinating glimpse of modern life at the time. It has a traditional Formica bench and linoleum tabletop along with masses of cupboard space. Adjacent are a separate laundry and office, and a conservatory lies at the back of the house.
This entire area could easily be opened up to create a sun-drenched modern kitchen living and dining zone, opening out to the level garden, which has plenty of scope for adding decks and a pool – even keeping the vegetable garden where the current occupant’s father used to grow his famous tomatoes.
“He and our neighbour used to compete to grow the biggest one,” she says.
On the ground floor are the kitchen, formal lounge and separate dining room which has a small deck, plus a bedroom and two bathrooms. Photo / Supplied
The property, surrounded by modern homes on Lucerne Road, has four bedrooms and three bathrooms with a 2021 RV of $4.15m. Photo / Supplied
Also on the ground floor are the formal lounge and separate dining room which has a small deck, plus a bedroom and two bathrooms.
Here too there’s potential to change the current configuration and modernise extensively while keeping all the lovely period features which include high ceilings, polished timber floors, leadlight windows and deco-era light fittings.
Upstairs is delightfully original too with three generous bedrooms, a bathroom and sunroom plus a box room which would once have been the maid’s bedroom. This part of the house enjoys wonderful leafy views.
The property includes a double (tandem) garage with a handy hobby room at its rear.
The current occupant said her father put in many hours restoring the kauri, rimu and matai woodwork, including the French polished staircase. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen was installed in 1955 and offers a glimpse of modern life at the time. Photo / Supplied
After almost 70 years the current occupant will leave with many happy memories of life in the neighbourhood, where she’s watched significant changes taking place. She’s proud that the house has been carefully maintained and says she can imagine it becoming a happy family home once more if the new owners have a little flair and imagination.
Listing agents Michael Block and Amanda Maloney, from Bayleys, say its position on a prestigious road within easy driving or cycling distance of Remuera Village and Newmarket, with its glitzy Westfield277 shopping, dining and recreation centre is a definite selling point.
“And you’re close to Upland Road and Benson Road,” says Maloney.
She and Block both believe that with time, effort and money there is potential to add significant value to what is already a lovely property. “It represents a very rare opportunity indeed.”
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