MAGIC IN ST MARYS BAY
This classic homestead has been lovingly looked after by the same family for more than 40 years, writes DONNA FLEMING
ST MARYS BAY
87 Shelly Beach Road
7 5 2
If walls could talk, the ones in this grand St Marys Bay villa would have plenty to say. The original owner built it in the early 1900s for his family, which included six daughters. Later it was converted into four flats.
Then, over the last 42 years, the current owners have transformed it into a gracious family home and income.
“It would definitely have plenty of stories to tell, even just from our time here,” says the owner.
“We’ve had lots of good times.”
She admits she wasn’t initially impressed when she first saw the home back in 1978. Then, divided up into flats, it was “a bit of a dump”. But her husband recognised its potential, and when they saw the fantastic view out over Westhaven Marina that sweeps around from the Auckland Harbour Bridge to the city skyline, the deal was done.
Today the home feels like a luxury country lodge that’s been transported to a magical city location.
Numerous renovations carried out over the last four decades have created a stylish four-bedroom home with a three-bedroom annex that is currently used as an Airbnb but would make ideal accommodation for extended family or grown-up kids. It could also be integrated back into the main house to create an enormous seven-bedroom home.
“The good thing about it at the moment is that it is completely separate — there’s no internal access so if we’ve got people staying, we don’t see them,” says the owner. “But it would be easy to turn it into one big place.”
Over the years they’ve enhanced the character of the home, preserving charming period features like original doors and windows, while sympathetically updating it for modern living.
The main living/dining/ kitchen area boasts hardwearing South African slate flooring, which has underfloor heating, and a big natural brick fireplace.
The sleek white kitchen has a huge central island around which guests tend to gather. There’s plenty of storage space, including a walk-in pantry.
This part of the house opens out to a huge wrap-around deck that has been fantastic for entertaining. It’s a wonderful space to enjoy the views and as well as having room for a hot tub, off to one side there is a Louvretec pergola and outdoor fireplace that create the perfect spot for al fresco dining.
The deck leads down to the lawn, where there’s space for a trampoline and to kick a ball around.
Back inside, a room once dubbed “the man cave” is now an elegant library/second lounge with another striking fireplace and access to the deck.
Nearby are two bathrooms and three bedrooms, including one with a bay window that frames what is possibly one of the best views of the harbour bridge in Auckland.
The view from the upstairs master bedroom is also stunning.
Bi-fold doors open out to a balcony that has an unparalleled outlook over the marina to the harbour.
“Even after all these years, we still love it, and it can never be built out,” the owner says.
As well as the master bedroom, the upstairs level includes a generous en suite and ample wardrobe space.
The home comes with a double garage, and there is offstreet parking for eight cars. A room along side the garage, nicknamed the dogbox, is currently used for storage but has previously housed a bar, and could be a gym, a library, kids’ playroom or a music room.
“It would be a great place if you had a kid who was into playing the drums,” points out the owner. It has an adjoining powder room.
One of the three bedrooms in the annex is currently used as a home office, as it has external access so visitors don’t have to walk through the house.
There is potential to use other parts of the annex for a business if needed.
The owners have also loved the fact that the house is tucked away down a long driveway, and that it is very private, yet so close to Ponsonby and Jervois Rd. The time has now come for them to move on to somewhere smaller.
“It’s been a much-loved home and we will miss it very much, but it is the end of an era.”
Agent Peter Tanner of Bayleys says, “What I love about this home is its relaxed country lodge atmosphere.
“When you walk through the front door it is hard to believe you are in the heart of St Marys Bay. This is a property not to be missed.”
Sale: Tender closes July 30
Contact: Peter Tanner, Bayleys, 021 379 379