THE REIGN OF SPAIN
Renowned Kiwi architect helped ‘remittance man’ build this beauty, writes Louise Richardson
Lisa Bates and Doug Hawkins are both passionate about the sprawling Mediterranean-style home in which they’ve lived with their three children for the past 15 years.
It’s completely secluded, down a long driveway with homes of similar quality, and can be reached from Mountain Rd or via a second entrance on Maungawhau Rd.
“It was built by a Spanish ‘remittance man’ in the 1930s,” says Lisa. “For some reason his family didn’t want him back, so each year they would send his remittance, then he would use that money to build some more of the house. We know that he added the second storey in 1940.”
With renowned architect William Gummer as a friend and neighbour, it isn’t surprising that the Spaniard incorporated many of the features that Gummer himself was famous for, including extensive use of native woods such as kauri, rimu and matai.
The main level is where you’ll find extensive living space, including a formal lounge, conservatory, sunroom and family room, which is adjacent to the kitchen.
Lisa works in the arts, while Doug is a designer, and she says that the home is perfect for entertaining with numerous places for groups of people to mill around and chat.
The four bedrooms and family bathroom are on the second level, reached via a spectacular wooden staircase with carved finials.
“It’s a place of love, joy and laughter,” says Lisa. “We lie in bed and all we can see is trees.”
The couple have recently upgraded the basement and it now boasts a large office or media room, complete with an elegant Moorish-style bathroom. It has its own entrance.
“It was a lovely challenge finding a design and appropriate materials to make sure it fitted with the rest of the house,” says Lisa.
She is a keen gardener and spends a lot of time in the native bush, with its four-storey-high puriri trees and the tallest, thinnest pohutakawa in the country.
“The owner before us was an arborist and he tended to 43 different varieties of heritage camellias, as well as planting cascades of orchids in the trees.”
There is a plethora of spots for outdoor living, much of them around the pool. One of the family’s favourites is in the courtyard, where they are surrounded by nature.
With all of its arches and other exotic design features, every inch of the house and garden just bursts with personality.
Lisa says that she and Doug have only decided to sell because they will soon be empty nesters.
“Maybe some people won’t ‘get’ the house as we do, but the right person is bound to come along,” says Lisa.
“It’s a true family home in excellent school zones – directly across the road from Auckland Grammar — and it’s time for a new family now.” .
Leila MacDonald, from Barfoot and Thompson, is excited to have such a beautiful listing and says the two access points are a bonus for buyers.
“It’s lovely to have all this space, just minutes away from everything. You could live in it very comfortably as it is, or you might want to make changes and put your own mark on it.”