PRESENCE AND PROMISE
Nothing illustrates potential like a glorious heritage home on Remuera’s northern slopes, writes GABRIELLE NOOIJEN.
Medina, as it was originally named, is rich in history and has gathered a catalogue of stories since its construction in the late
1800s.
The home at 34 Bassett Road, Remuera, once hosted the Duke and Duchess of York, who would then become King and Queen Consort-a military connection through the Banks family who owned the property for many years.
Under the ownership of the Kelly family, the home served as a hospital throughout the
1940s, overseen by the two Kelly sisters who were nurses, having served in the First World War and the Russian Revolution.
Pieces from a large and robust history, certainly, the building’s story is as remarkable as its size.
Before it was bought by the current owner in 1969, it had fallen into less glorious uses, having been divided into four flats.
The owner’s son describes his father viewing the home, only seeing one flat and within 10 minutes had ownership of the property.
Seeing past the flats and focusing on the home’s features, views and degree of land, turned out to be a savvy move and secured his family’s home for the next five decades.
He recalls his dad saying, “You can change a few walls, but you can’t change views and position.”
Over his parents’ tenure at the property, they gradually restored it back to one working home, which largely involved knocking down a fair number of walls.
But throughout the home’s varied functions, most of its splendid details remain.
Namely a grand staircase, fireplaces, decorative plaster ceilings and kauri floors throughout.
The bedrooms are generously proportioned - the home is characterised by broad halls, generous spaces and beautiful Victorian detail.
The owner’s son recounts the thrill growing up on the 1553sqm property, with numerous rooms and endless space providing a child’s dream place to roam.
“We had our school at the back, and a lot of places to charge around, the house was a lot of fun to live in and explore.”
The ground floor presents a large office, the sum of which was once an entire flat, a grand room with tall ceilings and ornate details, the kitchen and some of the home’s many rooms.
Upstairs, the bedrooms count five and the top floor is home to a turret, believed to be used by the home’s first owner, a shipping captain, with views out to the harbour and Rangitoto.
There’s no shortage of examples of similarly grand Auckland homes being given the attention they deserve, with magnificent results.
The owner’s son concedes, “There’ll be a genuine sadness in the family when the home is gone. We would love it if someone restored the home to its former grandeur and gave it the attention it deserves.”
Ray White, Parnell agent Dean Tuffley, who is marketing the property, says, “The possibility for the buyer to create their dream is a rare prospect.
“It’s seldom that properties in premium addresses such as this become available to the open market.”
Sale: Deadline sale December 1 Contact: Dean Tuffley, Ray White, 021 311 993