Makeover restores villa’s charm
We look at how Kiwis have transformed rambling old properties into modern gems in our From Dump to Desirable series
When the shabby green villa at the end of Prime Rd in Grey Lynn went on the market six years ago, few were prepared to touch it. The house was derelict with a rusty roof, original scrim interior walls and the traditional villa balcony entrance enclosed with plywood to create extra indoor space.
Despite the years of wear the old villa — built around 1914 — stood proudly on the sunny 518sq m site.
At the time it had a CV of $600,000 and was snapped up for $885,000.
A year and a revamp later, property records show it sold for $1.7 million. It has a current CV of $2.625m.
Andre Bodde from Barfoot and Thompson saw the three-bedroom villa before and after its rebuild and said it underwent a “complete transformation”.
The traditional balcony, concrete steps and simple villa lines were restored and reinstated and plywood additions removed.
“The house was gutted and completely rebuilt,” Bodde said.
“It was pretty derelict so the guy who bought it gave it a new roof, new
People who take on these houses put in a lot of time and effort and a lot of money — and they are taking a risk. Andre Bodde Barfoot and Thompson
walls and new framing.
“It never had a downstairs so he went underneath and put in an extra two rooms, cinema room, laundry and he put a pool out the back.”
Bodde said it was important to retain the charm of a property when renovating.
“It’s a real credit to people when they do houses up and they are in keeping,” he said.
“People who take on these houses put in a lot of time and effort and a lot of money — and they are taking a risk.”
Bodde said part of the charm of Grey Lynn and Ponsonby was the high number of do-ups dotted among the fully restored.
“It’s always nice to see a house restored but there is also a lot of charm in houses with overgrown gardens and character.”