STREET WITH A FACEBOOK PAGE
When the current owners bought their home, the garden was an absolute wilderness but you’d never recognise it now, writes LOUISE RICHARDSON.
Halston Road at the Balmoral end of Mount Eden is a quiet residential street filled with quality homes and 24 Halston Road is definitely in that class.
Just five or six years ago it was a ‘Good Life’ affair with chooks strutting around the back yard.
The current owner says that it was a bit confronting to arrive at an open home and find a sheep wandering inside the house, but they could see the property’s enormous potential and decided to take the plunge.
Robyn Elson of Ray White in Mount Eden says that absolutely all the hard work has been done here and this remarkable home is brimming with character.
“It’s hard to know where to begin, really, from the three big, bright bedrooms and the connection between indoors and out is really lovely,” Elson says.
“Right from when you enter the front door, you can see right through to the lush green at the rear.”
The owner says that while they’ve completely redone the landscaping including adding lawn for their children to play on, the inside changes have been largely cosmetic, yet they look a million dollars.
“We’ve relined, repainted and generally brought everything right up to date.”
The floors are lightly polished, white walls make the rooms seem huge, and the plantation shutters offer a sophisticated finishing touch.
The north-facing deck, with a retractable awning is an absolute suntrap and a window servery between it and the kitchen makes entertaining a breeze.
The couple’s daughter goes to highly popular decile 10 Maungawhau Primary School which is just a five-minute walk away, while her brother attends one of the local day-care centres.
“We’re really only moving to get a slightly larger property as the children are growing up fast,” says the owner, adding that they would very much like to stay in the neighbourhood, if possible.
“We’ve been incredibly happy here on Halston Road because there are lots of other young families.
“The street has its own Facebook page and if you need a cup of sugar or an egg you put it on there and within minutes there’s somebody on the doorstep with exactly what you need, and the annual street barbecue is great too.”
Halston Road is very close to the vibrant Asian restaurants at Balmoral, and the Capitol Cinema. It’s around 20 minutes away from Mount Eden Village, on foot, and Westfield, St Lukes is an easy drive.
From a child’s perspective, Potters Park on the corner of Balmoral and Dominion Road is a little slice of heaven, with its playground and water park.
On summer weekends it’s always full of happily picnicking families while Dominion Road offers a regular bus service to and from the city.
Elson says the property is sure to be popular.
“What I love is the sense that it’s summer all year round in this special spot.”
Sale: Auction, June 23
Contact: Robyn Elson, Ray White, 021 800 891