A mid-century modernist home which was the home of the American Consul in the 1960s, on the largest privately-owned landholding in central Titirangi, is on the market for the first time in more than 20 years.
218-220 Atkinson Road in Titirangi, Auckland, will be sold at auction on July 23. The property has a ratings valuation of $2.075 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2009 for $930,000. It is being marketed by The Smiths (Craig, Brendan and Rebecca) of Ray White Titirangi.
The 1940s home, just five minutes’ walk from Titirangi Village, sits on 6293sqm of park-like land – which equates to combining about six of those old quarter-of-an-acre sections considered huge nowadays.
“I had a hankering to move closer to the village from Laingholm when my two sons were teenagers and when I saw this place I thought it was just surreal,” says the current homeowner.
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“I was shown it off-market and purchased it immediately, responding emotionally to the striking home and the space and privacy amidst the beauty of nature.”
She loved the history, hearing the inground swimming pool was one of Auckland’s earliest and the property had been the home of the American Consul before a university professor lived here.
“I had visions of Americans having pool parties and sitting at the rooftop terrace having cocktails.”
The home was once owned by the American Consul in the 1960s before a university professor lived there. Photo / Supplied
The address is 218-220 as its land is in two lots which cannot currently be sold separately. The distinctive black weatherboard and brick home down a substantial driveway is situated amidst a wonderland of kauri and other trees.
“I immediately loved its strong lines with tonnes of tall windows. I wasn’t knowledgeable about mid-century modernism but researched it during the six-month settlement time.”
It’s not known who designed the home but some find it reminiscent of Vernon Brown’s work. “Funnily enough some of my furniture, including a suite which had come from my grandparents in Ahipara, suited the style perfectly.”
This owner’s improvements include resurfacing the pool, exposing tongue-and-groove flooring, upgrading the kitchen and adding a rustic sleepout.
The front of the home, resplendent with glazing, faces north-east. Brick stairs enter into a family room largely comprised of windows on two sides, admiring magnificent kauri. This is semi-open-plan with the kitchen incorporating new cabinetry and retro-reminiscent tiles.
The property has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a double garage, swimming pool and 6293sqm of park-like land. Photo / Supplied
It’s not known who designed the 1940s home but some find it reminiscent of Vernon Brown’s work. Photo / Supplied
A big master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe sits across the hallway from a bathroom and second bedroom. The living-dining area with picture windows admiring nature flows into a conservatory-style sunroom, near outdoor stairs leading up to the roof terrace.
The third bedroom, second bathroom and internal-access double garage are at the opposite end of the house near the entry. The historic resident professor reputedly used downstairs’ sitting room as his library.
“The grounds, with so many trees and lawn, are so amazing my sons had a festival-style gathering there over summer. In spring the property throws up these carpets of wild flowers and in summer the pool is like diving into a bowl of flower essence thanks to kowhai and puriri flowers dropping into it.”
The owner wants to free up some equity, hoping to help her sons into property, and wants new owners to guide the property’s journey. “I feel that it really needs someone else to take this special property to the next level.”
Ray White agent Craig Smith says: “This property, with a home resonating with those with a mid-century mindset amidst park-like grounds just 200 metres from Lopdell House, is truly iconic.”
– Sponsored by Ray White
