Character to cherish in Karori
TENDERS close on March 14 for a cherished character home in blue-chip, city-end Karori that’s had only two owners in the past 50 years.
The three-to-four bedroom house at 1 Homewood Ave is for sale for the first time in 15 years.
‘‘The previous owners lived there for about 35 years, which speaks volumes about its appeal as a fantastic family home,’’ Nicholas Reeve of Ray White, says.
The two-storey house is on a leafy, landscaped 764-square metre corner section with a doublegarage, off-street parking and double gates.
The garden abounds in roses, hydrangeas, camellias, buxus hedging, and copper beech, silver birch, bay and magnolia trees.
Slate steps ascend from the treelined driveway to the front door of the 250sqm weatherboard and tile roof house.
It was built in the 1930s but 10 years ago was architecturally renovated and extended by Philip Porritt of Jasmax Architects.
The improvements have enhanced the original character for contemporary living. They range from an open-plan kitchen and family room to a Sonos system with in-wall or in-ceiling speakers throughout.
But the traditional ambience has been maintained, with ornate scotia, ceiling roses, chandeliers in most rooms (including the guest toilet), varnished floorboards and bevelled glass doors that open into the gracious formal lounge.
The latter adjoins the formal dining room and has a gas fireplace with a marble hearth and another set of French doors to a private, elevated al fresco terrace that faces northwest for maximum sun.
The entertainers’ kitchen has granite benchtops, an Ilve double oven, four-burner hob with a teppanyaki cooktop, an intricately tiled splashback, and an integrated rangehood and dishwasher.
Upstairs are three doublebedrooms, a full bathroom and a sunny study or possible fourth bedroom.
The three bedrooms have dormer windows with lovely views; the main bedroom’s also has builtin storage to complement its two single wardrobes and walk-in wardrobe.
The study is northwest facing with corner windows while the bathroom has a deep spa bath, shower cabinet, vanity, toilet and underfloor heating.
Other features include a separate laundry and Roman blinds in the family room and study.
‘‘This is a spacious, private, picturesque character home in immaculate condition located a prime, sunny, city-end location,’’ Reeve says.
‘‘Marsden Village is just metres away, it’s only minutes from top schools like Samuel Marsden Collegiate and Karori Normal, and it’s zoned for Wellington College and Wellington Girls’ College.’’