HIDDEN TREASURE
Rahiri Rd is one of Mt Eden’s best-kept secrets. It has spectacular panoramic views of the city and harbour, gorgeous homes, and is peaceful and quiet. But because it’s a cul-de-sac and the only people who tend to use the road are residents, very few people know what a great place it is to live.
At the far end is a cluster of gracious blue-chip homes that rarely come on the market. But the owners of number 31 are moving on after 25 years, giving a new family the chance to see why the street is so special.
Lorraine Young from Bayleys, who is selling the three-level home, says people in the neighbourhood have plenty of good reasons for staying put. “It’s a lovely wide street, it’s on a hilltop, the views are magnificent and there are a lot of rather grand homes, some of them on double sites.
“It’s a wonderful community — there’s a street party every year — and the neighbours all look out for each other. A lot of people have lived there for decades and it really is very tightly held.”
When the current owners bought the house a quarter of a century ago, they recognised that it would be a great place to raise their two sons, then aged 5 and 3. With multiple living spaces, generous bedrooms and a big garden — plus a safe, no exit street to ride bikes on — it has proved its worth time and time again.
Set on 948sq m, the 345sq m home is elevated above the road, with one garage at street level and another under the house. The driveway sweeps up to the home, lined with strategically placed cypress trees, which seem to stand guard over the property.
The owners commissioned architect Bart Meo to come up with extensive renovations, which have transformed the original 1920s bungalow into a comfortable and stylish 21st century home, without losing any of its character.
The work carried out included extending the back of the house, creating what is now a spacious and elegant family/ dining and kitchen area. This area opens up via several sets of bifold doors to a European-style courtyard and the terraced garden, where there is space to potentially put in a pool.
The kitchen adjoins a formal dining room, which has beautifully preserved period features, including kauri floors, panelled walls, a beamed ceiling and leadlight windows. The dining room leads to another large living room at the front of the house, which has similar heritage charm. It opens out to the north-facing veranda, which can also be accessed from two of the three bedrooms on this level.
The covered veranda is the perfect spot to take in the views and enjoy a sunset glass of wine, but there is also the option to make the most of the outlook from a terrace above the streetlevel garage, or a balcony off the master bedroom on the top floor.
This upstairs master suite was added to give the owners a private sanctuary, complete with walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom. “The views are sensational up there, and it’s just so quiet and peaceful,” says Lorraine.
There’s a fifth bedroom on the bottom level, along with another bathroom and a living area/studio that could have multiple uses, from accommodating extended family, adult children or a nanny, through to being an ideal space for working from home.
The owners intended on staying at least another 10 years in their beloved home, but unfortunately health issues have necessitated a move to a single-level house.
“There is so much they will miss, not just the location and the house itself but things like the wonderful bird life and the great sense of community in the neighbourhood,” says Lorraine.
“It really is rare to have the chance to buy a house like this in such a fantastic location, with the kind of views you don’t see very often in Mt Eden.” Auction: October 8 Contact: Lorraine Young, Bayleys, 021 764032
‘It’s a lovely wide street, it’s on a hilltop, the views are magnificent and there are a lot of rather grand homes, some of them on double sites.’