The owners of 16 Mariposa Crescent in the North Shore, Neil and Kirsty, almost didn’t buy it when they were looking for a new home on Birkenhead Point.
“We lived in Rawene Road just around the corner – it’s a tightly held area where the houses you want don’t come up very often,” says Kirsty.
“We’d done a drive by and thought, ‘it looks a bit small’, as it just looks like your average cute little villa from the front.”
After a friend convinced them to properly check it out, they were struck by way the residence unfolds over three expansive levels to showcase panoramic views of the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland City and the Waitakere Ranges.
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“Neil called it a tardis as it keeps going and going – then you get to the back and it’s got this incredible sea view,” she says.
While they agreed there and then that they had to have it, the next hurdle was the fact that they were on holiday in Fiji on auction day.
“Neil was standing in the gift shop, which was the only place in the Castaway Resort that had reception, on the phone to our estate agent who was bidding for us at the auction. I was sitting at the bar with a margarita saying, ‘oh my god, are we going to get it?’.”
As well as the space and outlook, the couple were struck by the house’s beauty and the way the heritage had been retained and enhanced. They bought it from a couple who had lovingly restored it, says Neil.
“She was country manager for Gucci which is one of the reasons it was so tastefully decorated – including the red chandelier which she refurbished herself.”
One of the homeowners says: “Neil called it a tardis as it keeps going and going – then you get to the back and it’s got this incredible sea view.”
Expansive living, dining and kitchen spaces are embraced with the deep, wraparound veranda on the main living level.
It’s since served as a wonderful family home. “I’ve watched the kids grow up here – we’ve got all the markings on the door for their heights,” says Kirsty.
Expansive living, dining and kitchen spaces are embraced with the deep, wraparound veranda on the main living level, which take in the kaleidoscopic view at every turn – including orcas frolicking in the bay on special days.
There are three bedrooms on this floor, as well as a lovely home office that the couple transformed from the boxed-in porch. This had been used as a dental clinic and waiting room by local dentist Harry Craven, who subsequently moved his practice to Hinemoa Street.
“The kids used it as a playroom for five years, then we decided it would make an amazing office,” says Kirsty.
“We knocked down the internal wall between the two little rooms, I got some matai flooring from South Pacific Timber and we painted it all white.
“It overlooks the garden and all the morning light streams in. It’s great for working from home or could be perfect for a consulting business.”
The top floor is dedicated to the master retreat, which has an ensuite and private balcony. Downstairs offers another home office, a bedroom and the shared family bathroom. Outside, the fully-fenced, flat back garden has resource consent for a pool, should the new owner wish to install one.
The couple love ambling down to the cafes round the corner on the weekends.
“Duo is our favourite for breakfast or lunch and the standing rooms do a great takeaway,” says Neil. “Uno has opened up next to Duo and now we have a fanatic evening haunt too. I can get there and back from my study in five minutes – especially if I call ahead.”
The uninterrupted views give the homeowners front-row seats on every fireworks display.
The 276sqm, five-bedroom, two-bathroom home sits on a 964sqm section with a lush, private garden.
The family also agrees that Guy Fawkes is their favourite night of the year.
“We get a grandstand view of every fireworks display from the Waitaks, all across West Auckland, Point Chev, Herne Bay and the Sky Tower,” says Neil.
“Another great night is Halloween as the whole of Birkenhead goes all in on decorations – Mariposa really takes part and we get loads of kids paying us a visit. Birkenhead really is Auckland’s best kept secret.”
Ray White agents Kim Pausina and Eden Thomson have been blown away with the level of interest in the property – which hasn’t stopped since the day they officially launched it to market.
As of two weeks into the campaign Kim says, “on average we’re getting one or two enquiries a day and have had second and third viewings already”.
These have been from both sides of the bridge as well as internationally.
“It’s a really special property because not only has it got a very generous internal footprint, it’s on a really nice parcel of land with beautiful elevation. It’s an honour and privilege to bring it to market,” she says.
- 16 Mariposa Crescent in Birkenhead, North Shore, goes to auction on August 9
