LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
This charming Devonport villa, which has retained many of its character features, has been cherished by its owners, discovers LOUISE RICHARDSON
DEVONPORT 1 First Avenue
There’s a certain look that passes between couples when they finally find the property they’ve been searching for and Michael Fitzpatrick and Julie Raddon not only exchanged those meaningful glances but were practically ready to make an offer — just moments after stepping over the threshold of their character Devonport villa at Stanley Point.
“We both just loved it,” says Michael. “There was no way that we were going to let it get away.”
Having lived in many places around the world the couple felt that the house was an ideal Kiwi home: a sympathetically renovated villa with a strong sense of light and airiness.
They appreciated the high ceilings, the wide hallway and the many original details that have been retained — such as the art nouveau-patterned stained glass in the front door, and the gleaming polished floorboards.
And while many people assume that a villa must be kauri, this one is actually Oregon cedar which came in on ships in the late 19th and early 20th century.
“It was one of the first houses built on the point and was originally occupied by a man who lived with a woman who wasn’t his wife!” says Michael who has undertaken a little historical research into the area.
“Perhaps she was his sister,” he concludes.
Julie says that she and Michael both love food and entertaining so a large wellequipped kitchen was a musthave on their list.
She and Michael, who was a high-flier in the advertising industry for many years, are keen collectors and there is no shortage of built-in furniture and wall-space for displaying all their treasures.
There’s a formal lounge with a working fireplace and three spacious bedrooms with an en suite and walk-in-wardrobe in the master suite.
There’s also a charming guest or family bathroom too, with a clawfoot bath.
Two sets of French doors link the enormous open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with the extensive decking and the back garden, with its expertly trimmed box hedges and gently tinkling water feature.
A separate studio is ideal for visitors, or perhaps extended family — or even a work-fromhome situation.
The single garage, which Michael and Julie believe was built in the 1950s, has significant storage space in its attic.
The couple usually spend several months of the year in France and while nobody knows when we’ll all be able to travel internationally again, they’ve decided to downsize their New Zealand base in anticipation.
They’ll miss the house and its position on a very pleasant street in this quiet little North Shore suburb, and they might not go far away for their new Auckland base.
“I’ve lived in Devonport on and off for 20 or 30 years,” says Michael.
Victoria Bidwell, a luxury property and waterfront specialist at Bayleys Takapuna, says that the market right now is filled with expats wanting to settle back at home.
“I think they account for about five out of my last six sales.”
She says that 1 First Avenue offers lots of character, in a very tightly-held spot.
“It’s totally private, and it’s just beautiful — somebody new will move in and absolutely love it!”
Sale: Auction July 9
Contact: Victoria Bidwell, Bayleys, 021 947 080
“We both just loved it. There was no way that we were going to let it get away.”