Savvy discovery
Tucked away behind an elevated rocky outcrop created by an ancient lava flow at the end of a noexit street on the Mount Eden foothills, Jane and Peter Cotter’s Californian bungalow in Shipherds Ave isn’t that easy to find.
The large hidden property was a savvy discovery 30 years ago, when Jane was pregnant with their first child. They were living on the other side of Auckland in Herne Bay, and Peter wanted to be closer to motorways taking him to his work in Pakuranga.
“We thought it was a lovely little street, in a good central location. A little old lady was selling to go into a home and we figured we could do something with it,” says Jane.
Little did they suspect how perfect the location would turn out to be. For the Cotters went on to have three sons. Eventually, they all went to Auckland Boys’ Grammar, a short level walk away. Because of the close proximity to the school, the street proved a natural drawcard for other families wanting to send their boys to the popular high school.
“At one stage, there were 10 Grammar boys living in the same little street,” she says
Five years after they arrived, Jane and Peter set about transforming the property to make way for a big family extension to the rear and a fourth bedroom on an upper level above the enlarged and modernised new kitchen.
They got rid of a massive grapefruit tree — obligatory for these old Epsom properties, according to Peter — that had taken over the garden, and an old car shed on the back lawn.
And then they excavated under the house in front. Not an easy task, Jane says. Battling through the solid rock wasn’t pretty. But it was worth it for the ease of access it gave to double internal garaging from the drive.
This added more space for a fantastic kids’ playground with a huge level lawn for a cricket pitch next to the pool, and views of cows grazing on Mt Eden.
Many a summer’s day, the boys scrambled between the pool and the cricket pitch. Yet somehow, they always gravitated back to the street which became their adventure wonderland, great for hopping fences, water fights and playing with mates.
“Before the renovations, the home was quite basic,” says Jane. “We took the back off and started from scratch.
“With three generous living areas and four bedrooms plus a study, it’s now substantially bigger, suitable for a family with three boys. It’s a great family home, so central to everything.”
Big living areas provide perfect options for all seasons. In winter, they relax in the TV room that has a library feel with murky grey green walls, built-in bookshelves, mata¯ı floors and a bay window featuring
At one stage, there were 10 Grammar boys living in the same little street.
elegant blue diamond-shaped leadlights. In summer, all the windows and doors slide open from the doubleheight family room off the kitchen extending a large deck overlooking the lawn and a secluded garden.
While Peter played golf, Jane swapped the old lady’s roses for camellia hedges and gordonia trees underplanted with swathes of foliage including clivia, rengarenga and ligularia — the tractor seat plant.
A well-proportioned lounge for entertaining in front is warmed by a log fire with views of Mount Hobson through the trees. The couple’s substantial suite incorporates an en suite which was recently updated, as was the family bathroom, now wrapped in white marble.
Until a few years ago, nobody moved from this street, says Jane.
“Families came and stayed 20 years, which was comfortable. It’s sad to start seeing people move again but it’s being reinvigorated with younger families.”
And now the Cotter boys have left home, there’s room for a new breed of youngsters.