Tower block saved a life’s work
Gardens are a key attraction to this apartment, writes Graham Hepburn
When Murray Noble went to help out some friends who had moved into The Pines apartment building, his wife Sue tagged along out of curiosity. “I came along to be nosy because I was interested to see what The Pines was like,” says Sue. “And when I’d seen it, I said, ‘ Ooh, I could live here’.”
That was about 20 years ago and, as Murray explains, the visit was the catalyst for a move.
“We were living over in Seaview Rd at the time and the cat had died and our daughter had got married so the timing was right.”
What attracted the couple to The Pines was its solid concrete construction — something appreciated by retired civil engineer Murray — as well as its 2.7ha grounds with trees and gardens, its facilities and sense of seclusion in the middle of the city.
It was designed by businessman Selwyn Robinson, who had owned a large villa on the hillside site, which he had planted with native and specimen trees over 30 years.
Robinson could not bear the thought of all his hard work and beautiful grounds being razed by a bulldozer so he built a tower block on the land so it could not be subdivided.
The 10- storey, 40- apartment complex was built in 1971, and is solid concrete with brick cladding. As well as superb specimen trees and garden beds, The Pines boasts a tennis court, a gym and a swimming pool with barbecue kitchen.
Murray has helped to look after Robinson’s work, having served as grounds director for 15 years.
He says: “I always thought the grounds at Government House were a good model for us so I found out who took care of them and we employed them.”
Sue adds: “You can do as much gardening as you like here but if you go away, when you come back the lawns are mowed.”
The grounds have served as an inspiration for Murray’s photography, which he is exhibiting at Mt Eden Village Centre in June.
Murray served on the The Pines’ board, which has recently renewed the elevators. One of those lifts arrives at the Noble’s apartment and serves only one other apartment on this floor.
Facing northeast, their second floor apartment has a sunny aspect and has windows framing views of Rangitoto Island.
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2B THE PINES, 75 OWENS RD, REMUERA SIZE: PRICE: INSPECT: SCHOOLS: CONTACT: ON THE WEB:
“In winter the sun comes right in here so we don’t need much heating,” says Murray.
The main lounge opens to a balcony that looks over the grounds and out to the harbour. Off to the left is a kitchen with a small dining table beside a window with a harbour view.
When they moved in, the Nobles refurbished the apartment apart from the bathrooms, which had been renovated by previous owners who had a tile company.
“We didn’t think we could do a better job than them,” says Sue.
Adjoining the lounge, through sliding glass doors, is a bedroom the Nobles have mostly used as an office/ second lounge but has also served as a guest bedroom.
On the eastern side of the lounge, the master bedroom also enjoys those north- facing views and has a dressing room that transitions into a tiled en suite with shower and bath.
The friends who inspired their move to The Pines still live here but the Nobles are off to a retirement village.