High above Madills Farm, Kohimarama Beach, and the sparkling Waitemata Harbour, discover the stunning family home of retired architect Bruce Craig and his wife, accomplished artist Baksho Craig.
For Bruce, living in and thoughtfully reimagining this spectacular Allum Street home was a full-circle moment. Two decades earlier, fresh out of architecture school, he had initially redesigned it for his parents.
“It was one of my early submissions out of architecture school. They purchased the site with an existing brick and tile house, and the opportunity was to turn it into a beautiful townhouse with high-end finishes and some standout features,” Bruce recalls.
When Bruce’s parents eventually moved north, he and Baksho seized the opportunity to further enhance the property, blending Bruce’s modernist architectural vision with Baksho’s artistic elegance.
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“It’s a warm modernist house with a lot of natural timbers. We wanted to pick up on some of the existing features, like the solid matai staircase,” Bruce explains.
The entry unfolds beautifully, beginning with an olive tree-lined path under a glass canopy, then leading to the spectacular lobby featuring that stunning matai staircase – elegantly curved, with brass detailing and stone-tiled floors.
“It was manufactured by a company out in West Auckland. All the floors upstairs are matai as well, so it’s a lovely transition moving from downstairs to upstairs,” Bruce adds.
The home’s upper-level living area delivers a dramatic reveal: expansive glazing frames breathtaking panoramic views from the lush greens of Madills Farm to the sparkling waters of Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island.
The home’s upper-level living area delivers a dramatic reveal: panoramic views from Madills Farm to Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island. Photo / Supplied
The house also serves as a personal art gallery, including a commissioned Dilana rug displayed in the lounge. Photo / Supplied
“You don’t see the view until you’re up in that space, and that was by design. You’ve got that wow moment when you reach the top of the stairs and step into the lounge,” Bruce says.
The connection to the outdoors continues with expansive decks on each of the home’s three levels, providing spaces perfect for relaxing or entertaining, all enriched by birdsong from mature native bush at the property’s edge.
“We spend a lot of time sitting out there, enjoying the environment. The birdlife is also amazing – it’s a really lovely thing to wake up to,” Bruce shares.
Thoughtfully laid out, the home’s design distinctly separates public and private areas, optimizing comfort and privacy.
Luxurious living, dining, and kitchen spaces occupy the top floor, with restful bedrooms, bathrooms, and a versatile office area on the second level. The ground floor offers a self-contained, two-bedroom retreat – ideal for extended family or Airbnb guests, recently averaging over $400 a night.
The matai staircase in the lobby is elegantly curved, with brass detailing and stone-tiled floors. Photo / Supplied
On the ground floor is a self-contained, two-bedroom unit ideal for extended family or Airbnb guests, recently averaging over $400 a night. Photo / Supplied
The house also uniquely serves as a personal art gallery, designed to highlight cherished artworks and collectibles, including a commissioned Dilana rug proudly displayed in the lounge.
Set atop a generous 988sqm freehold site, complete with double garage, carport, ample parking, and beautifully landscaped grounds, this Allum Street home represents exceptional Auckland coastal living.
“Allum Street is incredibly special. It’s on the park with an easy, flat walk to the beach and cafes. With kids, it’s probably one of the best locations in Auckland,” says Jonathan Viljoen, from Barfoot & Thompson.
Positioned at the highest point on the Allum Street ridge, this residence truly embodies elegance, architectural integrity, and the extraordinary beauty of its surrounds.
27 Allum Street in Kohimarama, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on April 30.
- Sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson
