LIVING THE KIWI DREAM
If it’s relaxing coastal views you’re after, consider this 1960s home located in a prime position in Torbay on Auckland’s North Shore
There are streets in Torbay which remind us of just how far the East Coast Bays of the North Shore have come since the Auckland Harbour Bridge opened the area up to the city in 1958.
Rewi St is one of the original streets, and No. 36 is a classic representation of the building boom that happened in the early 1960s post-bridge period.
“It was one of the poshest houses in the area,” says the owner, who bought it 14 years ago.
Certainly the solid brick and tile house sitting on a treeedged 1012sq m (that’s oldschool quarter-acre Kiwi paradise) had an enviable position, with sea and coast views set just a couple of minutes’ walk to Winstones Cove, Waiake Beach and sailing club and the shopping village still known, quaintly, as Olde Torbay.
“Most people don’t leave Olde Torbay, it’s just such a lovely community. If you want the regional park of Long Bay it’s only a 2km walk away, and
“It's been the best family home, full of great times, parties, and laughter with friends, designed and decorated in a casual, coastal style.”
you can walk to Long Bay College. The Kristin bus goes from the top of the street.
“You can still talk to your neighbours, it is a little holiday town, still.
“People who grew up here want to come back.”
While the owner — and later, friends and family who rented the house — says it was the most beautiful home she’s lived in, she is realistic that today’s buyer might be up for redeveloping either the house or the site.
The section, subject to design and consents, is zoned mixed housing suburban so could be reconfigured to fit standalone or terraced housing, duplexes or another one or two large dwellings (planners’ reports laying out all the options are available).
But in the meantime, the original 1960s home had been renovated by previous owners to become its own private holiday resort.
The family room and kitchen open on to the spreading back yard, where decks and lawns are surrounded by lush tropical planting, all secured for children and pets.
The owner loved the singlelevel living, where high timber ceilings are decorated in fresh beachy white.
The house is beautifully sunny, and, when it’s not, there’s central heating and two gas fires.
There are two separate living rooms — open plan with views to the garden — plus another rumpus room off the downstairs garage, which is separated for teens or workfrom-home set-ups.
It’s been a good house for singles, couples and small families and has comfortably hosted parties of 200 people.
There are two bathrooms and three good double bedrooms, two of which open to the sunny deck.
“It's been the best family home, full of great times, parties, and laughter with friends, designed and decorated in a casual, coastal style,” says Barfoot & Thompson agent Nadja Court, who is auctioning the property on June 11.
“So many wonderful water activities on your doorstep, fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing — it's the true Kiwi quarter-acre dream home."
Court says that while the house is currently tenanted, the property could be a winning combination of a holiday-athome retreat while land banking for a future subdivision.
“The area is fast-changing from baches. There are still some old originals, but there are also $2m, $3m and even $5m houses.”
Sale: Auction June 11
Contact: Nadja Court, Barfoot and Thompson, 021 777 690