Although its history goes back to pre-colonial days when Maori fished and traded in the nearby harbour, Ponsonby then developed around the main strip, now Ponsonby Road, where horses brought supplies from the city.
Just two kilometres west of Auckland’s still ever-expanding central city, this now very desirable suburb was originally home to workers and their families, living in modest cottages and villas situated close together in very narrow streets. Better-off immigrants and business owners built their own, more lavish dwellings in the neighbouring seaside suburbs of St Mary’s Bay and Herne Bay.
While a few homes in Ponsonby date back to the early to mid-1800s, the majority were built between 1900 and 1909. By the 1950s and 1960s these houses became popular as rentals for newly-arrived Pacific Island, Indian and Chinese families, and were also a magnet to artists, students and activists. People who lived in Ponsonby at that time describe it as rough, but always colourful too, with a strong community spirit, though by the late 1970s many homes had fallen into serious states of disrepair.
By the 1980s it dawned on Auckland house-hunters that this was a very conveniently located suburb and the gentrification of Ponsonby began. One by one – and at first for ridiculously low prices – those rundown villas were sold to young people who had the drive, skills and imagination required to bring them to life again, often doubling an existing home’s size with clever additions. Meanwhile, former residents were pushed out to suburbs further out from the city.
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Who lives here and what do they do?
OneRoof statistics show that around 64 percent of Ponsonby residents identify as professionals (40 percent) and managers (24 percent) with significant personal incomes. Apartment living has recently revolutionised the local landscape, enabling busy people to live relaxed and sociable lives, while families still love the classic, now stylishly renovated Ponsonby villa.
What’s to love?
People often joke that you can work your way down one side of Ponsonby Road, taking in all of the eating and drinking spots before turning and heading down the other – perhaps over the course of a year or so. Then, at the end of your mission, when you start again, the cafes, restaurants and bars will all be new ones!
That said, some legendary establishments, such as SPQR, Turkish Cafe and Prego, have been around forever, but there’s no doubt that this is a suburb enjoying an increasingly exciting vibe, and the streetscape is still rapidly changing.
The suburb’s walkability – to the city, to K-Road strip, to the inner city beaches – is definitely a drawcard, along with – frequent public transport, although properties with off street parking are always in demand. There are shops catering to top fashion, personal services and décor, old fashioned fruit shops and dairies alongside a flagship supermarket.
Having all of these amenities means that many residents ditch their cars, instead walking, scooting or catching Ubers when travelling locally or even a bit further afield. There are sunny parks and pocket squares, some tree-lined streets, but this is the cool end of city living, as far from suburbia as Auckland gets.
Buying and selling
Gower Buchanan from Ray White Damerell Group in Ponsonby is a seasoned expert on the local market, and says that while things are definitely changing, prices have remained steady in greater Ponsonby, and sales volumes are up on the previous year.
He notes that there are fewer cash buyers in the market today, but numbers attending open homes are much the same as averages from the past three years.
March is always the busiest month for and this year was no exception. The head of Bayleys Ponsonby office, Bernadette Morrison, says that the continued strength of Ponsonby’s volume and median price compared to the rest of Auckland reflects the consistent demand and popularity of the suburb.
“It’s a well-loved suburb,” she says. “People of all ages love the lifestyle on offer and the vibrant community. They are attracted by the character of the early last century villas, many of which have been renovated with contemporary interiors.”
Morrison notes that new apartments coming into the market have widened the choice for buyers, particularly handy for a community where, once in the surburb, people tend to stay in the area.
“Young families are drawn by the great primary schools and easy access to the sports grounds and clubs nearby,” she says. “Couples moving back to the area, maybe downsizing once the children have left home, enjoy the easy lifestyle and central location.”
Buchanan says that auctions are still the preferred method of sale in his office. He’s seeing recently arrived immigrants keen to buy in the suburb because of its proximity to the city, as well as many Kiwis coming back from overseas and looking to settle down. He believes that slow infrastructure go-live dates, a cosmopolitan immigrant population and greater housing affordability, due to low interest rates, meaning that demand for greater Ponsonby property to grow in 2019.
Morrison too points out that as driving in the city becomes less attractive, buyers like the ease of Ponsonby to walk or cycle, with frequent public transport links and motorway access north and south only a few blocks from the heart of the strip.
“People can keep an open mind about the range of prices for properties in Ponsonby,” she says. “There are some great buys, you’d be surprised. You just have to keep an eye out to live in the suburb with the best cafes, restaurants and shopping.”
