When current owners Cath and Shannon bought their villa 12 years ago, they were drawn to its strong sense of history, having learnt that it had been one of the original farm homesteads in the area.

“An elderly neighbour who’d lived here for 60 years told us that it was a real local landmark at a time when all of Queenstown Road was just fields and apparently there were stables across the road,” says Cath.

“It was obviously a ‘working’ home, with a fancy front room for special occasions.”

The property in Hillsborough, Auckland, has had various alterations over the years, and now sits on a much smaller, but still generous, 724sqm section, but Cath says that its sense of age and prominence remains.

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86 Frederick Street in Hillsborough, Auckland, is on the market for sale by auction on March 27. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $1.675 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 2012 for $937,000.

Over their time in residence, she and Shannon have been committed to honouring the home’s heritage. “We’ve re-villa’d it as much as we can,” she explains.

The couple have updated the bathrooms and recently, the kitchen, where they replaced the tiles for a look that interprets the character of the house while cleverly adding a contemporary vibe that blends in perfectly.

86 Frederick Street in Hillsborough, Auckland

Over their 12 years in residence, the current owners have honoured the home’s heritage. Photo / Supplied

86 Frederick Street in Hillsborough, Auckland

A wraparound verandah provides many different spots for alfresco dining. Photo / Supplied

“It’s all been great for us as a family because there are three living spaces and the children have their own sitting room, bedrooms and bathroom upstairs, while my husband and I can enjoy peace and quiet in the formal lounge downstairs, which is nice, because I love its high ceilings and general grandeur.”

The morning light streams into the master bedroom, and another sunny bedroom lies adjacent to the main bathroom. A wraparound verandah provides many different spots for alfresco dining plus rest and recreation outdoors and while Cath jokes that she’s not the gardener she’d like to be, the section is lush, green and manicured with a beautiful, well-established magnolia tree.

A separate laundry and generous double garage, situated under the children’s wing, complete the picture. The family has found the surrounding neighbourhood to be friendly and close-knit, with excellent schools, including Hillsborough Primary and Onehunga High School situated nearby.

“Our local dairy has been in the same family for three generations, and lots of people around here know each other,” says Cath.

86 Frederick Street in Hillsborough, Auckland

The Frederick Street property has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a double garage and multiple living rooms, perfectly blending the old character with the new upgrades. Photo / Supplied

86 Frederick Street in Hillsborough, Auckland

Ray White agent Ross Tierney: “It’s hard to believe this property is the best part of 130 years old, and the interest we’re getting is really strong.” Photo / Supplied

“One of the things I’ll miss most is my view of the harbour and Ambury Park from the kitchen window, then in winter – when the trees around us are bare, we can also see over to One Tree Hill.”

The family is moving to be closer to the children’s current schools and Cath says that the day of the auction will be a bittersweet one.

“It is sad because we’ve been very happy here but we’re proud to be leaving the property better than we found it.”

Ray White agent Ross Tierney says that he and Holly Cassidy are thrilled to be marketing this special home.

“We were super-excited to see it because it’s a true character farmhouse with kauri floors, double sash windows and stained glass. It’s hard to believe this property is the best part of 130 years old, and the interest we’re getting is really strong.”

- Sponsored by Ray White