METICULOUS MAKEOVER
The owners of this Grey Lynn home rose to the challenge of making it something special, writes DONNA FLEMING
Elaine Robertson and Michael Martin weren’t daunted when they spotted a rather dilapidated house for sale in Maxwell Ave, Grey Lynn, 35 years ago.
Despite having two young children and a third on the way, they decided to buy the 1915 villa and tackle what they knew would be a massive renovation.
And over the years, they’ve done more than restore the property to its former glory — they’ve turned it into an even more stunning home than it was in its heyday by lifting it up and building another level underneath, and adding classic wrap-around verandas.
“Most people think it is a grand old house that was always here but we completely changed it,” says Michael, an electrician.
He and Elaine were drawn to the house by the fact that it was on a double site, which meant plenty of room for outdoor living and offstreet parking. They could see its potential as a great family home (they went on to have four children) even though it was in three flats when they bought it, with one of them occupied by a hoarder who had newspapers piled up almost to the ceiling.
The job of lifting the house was done by a firm that used a team of rugby league players equipped with bottle jacks to “see-saw” the house up, lifting first one side then the other.
“The guy in charge put some music on and they hit the jacks in time to the beat to raise it up,” recalls Michael.
While the house was up on temporary piles, Cyclone Bola hit, and the home swayed so much in the ferocious winds that Elaine got seasick.
They were meticulous when it came to making sure the home was full of the character features of the period, sourcing original fixtures and fittings like the windows that came out of a gang house and were covered in black paint, panes and all. When they couldn’t find originals, they had had replicas made to fit in with the style of the home.
They lived in a building site for many months — there are photos of baby number three asleep in a cot outside among the rubble — but it was worth it.
The family has been able to enjoy a spacious, stylish family home and equally roomy grounds. A recent attic conversion means the house is now spread over three levels. On the ground floor are three bedrooms, family bathroom, laundry, double internal access garage and a granny flat made up of a lounge/kitchenette, bedroom and en suite.
This has its own entrance via French doors from the garden, and would be ideal as accommodation for a nanny, extended family or adult kids, as well as an Airbnb.
The next level houses the master bedroom and en suite, living room, powder room and dining room/kitchen, the latter a huge space that opens out via French doors to a deck and the generous back garden. The kitchen includes a massive 3m-long island and a walk-in pantry. The living room and the master bedroom both open out to the covered veranda.
The top level, which had been used for storage, is now a large multi-purpose space that
“Most people think it is a grand old house that was always here but we completely changed it.”
could be used as an extra bedroom/sitting room, children’s playroom or office.
There are great views across the neighbourhood to Coxs Bay and the harbour.
The children have all moved on and Michael and Elaine plan to move to a property they own out of Auckland.
Agent Luke Crockford says the couple have done a wonderful job of the renovation, and made the most of the site.
“The huge section gives you so much room for the kids to play and you to entertain, and the double garage and off-street parking is a huge benefit in this location.
“Being able to see the love and affection they’ve filled this house with over the years is such a pleasure.” Sale: Auction July 1
Contact: Luke Crockford, Bayleys, 021 277 8565