Homes We Love: Remuera house comes with all the bells and whistles

This is the ultimate dream home: it’s in the right location, has loads of space, a pool, separate guest accommodation and room to park those cars, writes ERIN REILLY.

84 Victoria Avenue

Owning a home room that’s big enough for the whole family and all the paraphernalia that comes with them, especially at special times of the year, is the dream for many New Zealanders.

For this family, 84 Victoria Avenue in Remuera, Auckland ticked all their boxes.

“We’ve had a lot of family Christmases in this home – looking back, probably every Christmas since we’ve owned it, actually. We have three boys, all in their 30s now, and it’s been lovely having plenty of room for everyone as they’ve lived in the home and been visitors after they’ve left.”

This home has space in spades. Three living areas on the ground floor provide plenty of room for indoor activities, depending on the mood.

A relaxed family room adjoins the expansive kitchen while two living rooms, one a formal lounge complete with stag’s head on the wall that “harks back to our deer and beef farming background”, can be completely shut off from the rest of the ground floor.

The roomy, open-plan kitchen is a chef’s dream. The double BOSCH oven, Meile dishwasher, and butler’s pantry make living easy and entertaining even easier.

“One of my favourite spots in the house has got to be the servery from the kitchen which looks out over the pool.

“It’s a lovely sunny spot and you can open the space right up to the deck outside to create a really great indoor/outdoor connection.”

Also outside is possibly the greatest feature of the property: the pool house.

“It’s like another little world down there. It used to be a garage, but a previous owner put in a kitchen and bathroom, and we’ve recently upgraded it into a lovely additional accommodation space. It’s legally a minor dwelling so could be rented out too, or you could keep it free for friends and family to stay.”

The home, which goes to auction on June 23, is handy to all the best bits of Remuera and beyond. It’s also in-zone for Auckland’s top-tier schools and handy to the major tertiary providers which makes it an ideal option for families looking to the future. Remuera village is handy too.

“We’re just 200 metres from the village which is really convenient when we’re looking for a bite to eat. There are four very good cafes that we go to frequently plus a couple of great bars. I actually strolled up there last night to Sahana South Indian Restaurant which is very good too.”

Three living areas on the ground floor provide plenty of room for indoor activities, depending on the mood.

Recently, the current owners bumped into a previous owner.

“This guy bought the home in 1980 but sold it to a developer who we bought it off in 2006. He still lives nearby and is in a walking group that I have a little bit to do with, and he always says he regretted selling it.

“It just goes to show how special this property is. Now that our boys have grown and flown the coop, it’s time for us to move on and for someone else to create their own stories in it. But it’ll always have a special place in our hearts.” Sale: Auction, June 23 Agent: Gerard Charteris, Ray White, 021 996 622