Mystery surrounds Victorian villa

A two- storey villa with interesting musical history has been fully modernised, but still retains its oldeworld charm, writes Penny Lewis

On February 8, 1919, Mrs Isa Neave ran a classified advertisement in the New

Zealand Herald’s music tutor section advising that she would be resuming pianoforte and harmony lessons at her home, 40 Wynyard Rd, Mt Eden. As secretary of the Auckland Society of Musicians, she was well- known in musical circles of the time. Her name appears in clippings for musical events between 1908 and 1920 and it was also reported in the Auckland Star’s social pages when Mrs Neave visited Wellington to farewell her soldier son in 1916.

A century on, the two- storey villa that was once home to Mrs Neave is for sale.

Life has changed immeasurably since she lived there, but this home has retained its charm. Current owners Denise and Rupert Nathan moved in seven years ago, when Denise was pregnant with the couple’s second child, Paige. They had been living at Princes Wharf with their young daughter, India, now 10.

“It had got to the stage where life wasn’t conducive to apartment living anymore,” says Denise. “When your 3- year- old thinks grass and bugs are a novelty you know it’s time to move on.”

So, that winter they moved into the middle of the three distinctive two- storey villas on Wynyard Rd, the only one still on a full site, with a lawn and garden at the rear. Denise didn’t know much of the history of this home before the family joined regular neighbourhood gatherings and heard from a history buff the three villas were built by a Captain Wynyard in the 1880s.

“But there are conflicting stories,” Denise says. “One version says he built them for his daughters and the other says the houses were for his officers to live in.”

The house had already been renovated for comfortable family living when the Nathans moved in, which was part of the appeal. The only change they’ve made is putting in a new master en suite, accessed off their dressing room upstairs.

Central heating and a gas fireplace keep the house warm in winter. French doors in the dining room and kitchen open on to a deck.

“This is a massive entertainment space,” Denise says. “We’ve had lots of gatherings and parties here with the marquee up — kids’ parties and hosting the neighbours.”

This part of the garden has mature sub- tropical palms and plants, with a lawn that leads to a pohutukawa tree and a studio, flanked by two secure carports accessed by a driveway off Edenvale Cres.

“This is where the horses would have been kept originally,” Denise says.

The front of the house, on Wynyard Rd, is private, behind a hedge, which encloses a more formal- style garden in keeping with the age of the house.

Inside, a traditional villa hall leads to a flight of stairs up to the master bedroom, which opens on to the upstairs balcony. A bedroom to the rear has a view of Mt Eden.

Two more bedrooms are downstairs. There’s a separate sitting room, which leads on to the dining room and kitchen wing. The kitchen is modern, but its freestanding cooker and butler’s sink are nods to the house’s Victorian roots.

Denise has absolutely loved living here, but it’s time for a change. They’ve not moved far — they’re still in Mt Eden.

“The sense of community here is amazing. It’s like nothing I have ever experienced in my life.”

Number 40 Wynyard Rd has been part of the community for more than 130 years, with Mrs Neave and the Nathans pieces of its history. Now it’s time for new owners to become part of the story.