Sitting on top of the world
Harking back to the 1940s and 1950s and still in original condition, these neighbouring homes offer the new owners a world of opportunity, discovers Donna Fleming
There can be some drawbacks to living in a house that has what is quite possibly one of the best views in Auckland. “You end up wasting lots of time,” says Russell Vaughan. It’s easy to see why. The brick home sits, castlelike, on top of a Devonport hill, providing spectacular 270- degree views across the Waitemata Harbour.
From the front of the house Russell, his wife Toni Rewiri and their children Kaahuki and Iwi can see all of Auckland’s major landmarks, from the Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower through to One Tree Hill, the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Bastion Point. The living room provided the perfect spot for watching superyachts, cruise ships and other boats going past.
Russell’s parents George and Lee bought the house 44 years ago and says he didn’t really appreciate how special his home was as a child. It wasn’t until he and his family moved in with his dad in 2001, after his mum died, that Russell realised how lucky they were to have such a brilliantly located home.
As well as the stunning views, the house is also in a perfect spot close to everything Devonport has to offer.
“It’s been an amazing place to bring up kids, and a really great community,” says Toni.
The house itself has been a wonderful family home. Built in the 1950s, George and Lee, then Russell and Toni, have kept it in largely original condition.
There’s a huge rumpus room as well as a spacious lounge, and a master bedroom with windows on three walls that make the most of the expansive view. The long, extra- wide hallway that runs across the front of the house was the perfect place for Kaahuki and Iwi to learn how to ride their bikes and practice gymnastics.
“We have so many happy memories of this place,” says Toni.
Only child Russell inherited the house after his dad passed away and says the time has come to move on. He’s well aware the land holds far more value than the house.
Russell and Toni are also selling the house next door, which George bought around 40 years ago to use as the offices for his accountancy business. It was built in the 1940s and other than a modernized bathroom, is full of original features from the era, such as tiled fireplaces, leadlight windows and beamed ceilings. It too has great views — although not quite on the same scale as the main house next door.
The character windows in the lounge and main bedroom were deliberately set lower so that the outlook across Devonport and the harbour to the city can be enjoyed while sitting or in bed.
The houses can be bought separately, or together.
“It will be really interesting to see what happens to them,” says Toni. “It is time for the next stage.” PRICE GUIDE: TENDER: ON THE WEB: * Plus off- street parking.