Discover
Unprecedented Freemans Bay opportunity offers contemporary but traditional house for sale
A home on a double site in Freemans Bay is rare as hen’s teeth.
Last updated: 4 April 2024
Anyone who knows Freemans Bay well will acknowledge that a home sitting on a site as large as 865 sqm is highly unusual in this charming inner Auckland suburb, where space is at a premium. So when 26-28 Arthur Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland City came on the market for sale, it caught our eye.
The owners of this property had architectural plans for a very nice house when they purchased the site at 26 Arthur Street. But, during this process, they managed to secure the neighbouring site, number 28, which gave them more options. Capitalising on the new and enlarged double site, they expanded the original plans by architect Pamela Ingram to create a more generous 422 sqm home, this time with no compromises on space and design, giving the house extra wide balconies on two storeys.
Designed to sit in harmony with its surroundings, the four bedroom, three living room home, built in 2011, looks like it’s been there for at least a century.
“We envisioned and designed a warm family home in the heart of Ponsonby/Freemans Bay that respects the traditions of the historic area but provides the sophisticated amenities of modern living,” says the seller.
How a contemporary design improves on a historical home
The upside of this luxury property, which boasts double glazing and timber joinery, is it also has loads of features that just wouldn’t be possible in your typical century old Freemans Bay home. For instance, there’s 28 sq m of storage space in the garage as well as a 22 sqm separate office and box room, plus a gym. A fun dumb waiter operates up three levels from the garage to help bring groceries from the car or wine from the 450-bottle wine cellar up to the next floor. There are also little thoughtful perks like heating in the linen cupboards to keep the sheets and towels fresh and dry.
WHITEFOX agent, Reuben Payn notes, as well as the extended 6.8 m long double internal garage built under the house, there are four additional off-street car parks.
A further example of the thoughtful design at this home is that there are master suites on each of the two main levels. This means you can have guests to stay with their own space, but you can also age gracefully in this home and live on the lower level if you wanted to.
Another sign of the functional design by architect Pamela Ingram and her team is that rooms which don’t need an outlook (like bathrooms or the laundry) are on the south side of the house while the living space and bedrooms are all north and east-facing.
This is a home built for the light, says Reuben.
“We were at the property for a viewing last night at 6 pm and no lights were needed throughout, because the sun was just streaming in, which shows the clever design, layout and position of the home,” he says.
Your views from the house are straight out to the harbour or to the city but you don’t have to go to the sea for a swim, as a pool is part of the package here at 26-28 Arthur Street. It nestles in established gardens, including a kitchen garden created by landscaper, Serena Blackie.
The size of a Remuera home but closer to town
Speaking to Trade Me Property just 12 hours after the property came on the market, the WHITEFOX agent, who is marketing the home with colleague Ryan Teece, says he’s already having inquiries from a number of buyers living in neighbouring suburbs. They’re sorely tempted by this property built to all the latest specifications but still with plenty of that irresistible villa charm, he says.
“It’s practically a Remuera-sized property,” says the WHITEFOX agent. And it’s that much closer to the highlights of the city, with the Viaduct and Britomart just a stroll away.
The home is designed by a family, for a family, and Reuben expects the successful buyer to fit this description. And while it’s very likely the successful buyer might be a local who appreciates this part of town, he’s also expecting interest from abroad. A new owner wanting to put their mark on the property could do so with little worry about overcapitalising at this spacious home and site, he adds.
Recently properties of this calibre have been in high demand, with 35 Arthur Street selling for $9 million at the end of 2023.
“There isn’t another home like this, on land like this, with a view like this,” says Reuben.
The property’s vendors, who are long-time Freemans Bay locals, have decided now is the time to move outside the city and are building their next house on a lifestyle property north of Auckland. The sale deadline date is set for 24 April at 4pm unless sold prior.
Author
Other articles you might like
