GRANDIOSE IN HERNE BAY
One of Herne Bay’s most significant Edwardian family homes is proof of the enduring appreciation of handcrafted architecture more than 100 years on.
Welcome to a Goldie original, not one of Charles Goldie’s famous Ma¯ ori portraits, but the residential landmark equivalent which his father David Goldie built for his family between 1905 and 1910.
Known locally as “the Goldie house”, this home’s first owners clearly knew that their realm was something special when they lived here. For its first 100 years, it was tightly-held by just two families, the Goldies and the McKenzies, before subsequent design-savvy owners elevated its status with sympathetic renovations for modern living.
When this house was built, David Goldie was most wellknown as the former Mayor of Auckland and a timber merchant in Freemans Bay. Kauri for this house was supplied from his timber mills.
David was also the father of three sons, including Charles, whose artist moniker was C.F. Goldie. David’s eldest son Arthur later took over the timber mills and it was Arthur’s name on the 1904 title of this property that was 58 Wallace Street back then.
His wife Mamie was the last Goldie family member living here during that family’s 48-year tenure.
In 1952 Sir Alex McKenzie, the then-president of the National Party bought the property and three generations of his family lived here for 52 years. The 21st century signalled new and exciting possibilities for this slice of Auckland history, with the 2004 sale to father-and-son developers Layne and Graham Stephens. They commissioned Jones Architects to oversee sympathetic renovations that set this house up for modern family living.
Along the way, this corner address has changed from 54 Wallace Street to 2 Stack Street that runs parallel to Waitemata Harbour and its nearby beaches. The white picket fence that wraps around both boundaries frames the dramatic setting for this house with its original corner entrance and established landscaped grounds.
On the west side of the house, a second covered balcony mimics the corner balcony facing the street. Balcony fretwork hints at the historical integrity, as do the leadlight windows, pressed steel ceilings and ornate fireplaces.
The grand staircase is the sweeping timeline from the ground floor living areas and the bedroom wings upstairs.
Dark Oak is the choice of kitchen cabinetry, with stainless steel appliances and a dark stone island bench top. Nearby, the pool is integrated into the softly structured landscaping, close to sheltered outdoor dining and lounging areas.
On its 900sqm site, this home has a floor area of more than
300sqm.
“The house is beautifully laid out with great bedroom separation and plenty of formal and informal living spaces, along with great garaging, media room and a large study/ library,” Edward Pack, of Bayleys, says.
“It is one of those homes where every room you look out of reinforces that feeling of calmness. There’s a beautiful natural light that wraps itself right around the property. It is one of Herne Bay’s most significant family homes.” Sale: Set date of sale, August 19 Contact: Edward Pack, Bayleys,
021 428 241