Spacious gem in Remuera’s ‘golden mile’
Retired couple’s move to modern apartment had all sorts of pleasant surprises, writes LOUISE RICHARDSON
REMUERA
5/456 Remuera Road 3 2 2
What most appealed to the owner and her husband when they first saw this luxury Remuera property five years ago was that it didn’t feel like an apartment. “Our previous home was a 100-year-old villa, so we wanted something where our antique family furniture and art would look right at home, and although this place was
“I love looking across the beautiful Englishstyle homes towards the harbour.”
relatively new, it appealed to us enormously.” She’s a keen cook and entertainer so the large kitchen with its vast benchtops, Gaggenau appliances and oodles of storage space has been her ‘‘special place’’. “It was quite separate to start with, but we had part of the wall cut out and framed so I can talk to guests while I’m preparing meals,” she says. The main living area, scene of the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary celebrations and their daughter’s 50th birthday, has a gas fire and opens to a covered wraparound balcony, which can also be accessed from the bedrooms and the cosy morning room off the kitchen. She and her husband spend “most breakfast, lunch and dinner times” sitting in the sun and taking in the views. “I love looking across the beautiful English-style homes towards the harbour. In winter, when the trees in front of us lose their leaves, we can see Rangitoto.” The bedrooms are all generous with a soft neutral colour palette. Two have en suites, one of which has a corner spa bath and double shower, and there’s a powder room plus a spacious separate laundry. Her husband’s home office, just as well-organised as you’d expect of a former accountant, could be used as a fourth — smaller — bedroom. “We love the pool and the tennis court and there’s never a queue for either.” As a keen bridge player, she likes the fact that the Remuera Bridge Club is an easy walk away and, as a former bookshop owner, she makes good use of the local library, just across the road. She and her husband also enjoy Remuera Village. The two are downsizing, and feeling a bit overawed by the prospect of shifting. “There’s a lot to pack up.” Steen Nielsen, who is marketing the property, says: “Apartments like this in the Remuera ‘golden mile’ are tightly held — and for very good reason.” Sale: Auction March 18 Contact: Steen Nielsen, Ray White, 027 557 8336