Happy reflections
Colonial- style home is packed full of character and fond family memories, writes Sandra Goodwin
The owners of this grand character home used to make use of its northfacing ridge- top position to signal their son when he was out boating. Octogenarian Gloria Alder says: “My late husband Peter used to take down a mirror off the wall to flash signals to our son Simon boating out around Rangitoto, and Simon would use a mirror to signal us back.
“This was before the time of mobile phones, of course.”
The tale of old- school communication fits nicely with the big home’s encapsulation of yesteryear charm, served up with abundant timber panelling, leadlights and impressive dimensions.
There’s the opportunity to swell the home’s 1626sq m grounds to a 3288sq m land holding by purchasing No. 197 ( with a CV of $ 2.55 million), which sits behind and has a three- bedroom home. The Alders bought the property to protect their views.
Gloria and Peter, who passed away seven years ago, were told the home was built for a timber merchant, explaining the wealth of ornate wooden detailing in panelling, beamed ceilings and staircases.
They bought this grand 1920s brick- based weatherboard home nearly 40 years ago from two elderly spinsters and their brother who lived here. Peter, who was in the automotive industry, and Gloria used to admire this home on evening walks from the 0.8ha property they bought across the road when first married.
Gloria says: “I always thought it had a lovely English- style feeling to it, not unlike some houses I’ve seen in Dunedin.”
As a lifetime member of the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron, Peter was a keen boatie so appreciated the way their home’s sea views allowed him to watch vessels scurrying across the harbour. Moving here gave their four children Simon, Elisabeth, Catherine and Gabrielle their own bedrooms and big grounds later enjoyed by Gloria’s 11 grandchildren who include eight- year- old Grace and seven- year- old Emily ( pictured with Gloria).
The address is 10 minutes’ walk from St Heliers beach features a big circular driveway sweeping around a weeping elm tree that Gloria and Peter used to sit underneath in the shade.
Timber and leadlight doors open to a grand foyer accented with wood panelling, William Morris wallpaper Gloria imported and a carved staircase introduced by a newel post crowned by a brass lady with a lamp.
Harbour views beckon through the panelled formal dining room and sumptuous lounge. Gloria and her six siblings were musically inclined so she’d play the piano hosting singalongs in the lounge, usually accompanied by a roaring fire.
She says: “I burnt out three grates in that fireplace I used it so much.”
The entry level also contains a kitchen- family room opening to a north- facing terrace, a bedroom with walk- in- wardrobe, plus a bathroom, laundry and toilet.
A staircase leads down from the sunroom end of the lounge to the atmospheric ballroom opening to the back yard. It has an impressive brick- surround fireplace with leadlights featuring a coat of arms, panelled walls and hardwood floors. Peter liked the quiet repose of reading in front of the fireplace here, whereas the Alder children preferred it as a games room or for parties.
On the upper level, the north- facing master bedroom with dressing room, en suite and kitchenette they built into existing roof- space has grandstand sea views. The other three bedrooms on this level are also generous, accompanied by the third bathroom.
The home has a double garage, carport and under- house workshop.
Gloria let her black Orpington hens roam free range in the big lawned backyard. However, she says the home became too large for her and her two cats and chickens. So she has recently moved into a Remuera retirement home.
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195 ST HELIERS BAY RD, ST HELIERS SIZE: PRICE GUIDE: INSPECT: TENDER:
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