A Claude Megson architectural gem has come to market and it’s a perfect oasis for anyone looking for a one-bedroom sanctuary.
Professional couple Rob and Lucy English and their two small dogs have lived here for the past eight years but now with a 20-month-old “little boss” and another one on the way, they’re in need of a bigger space to occupy.
When they initially looked at the townhouse, they had no idea who Megson was but were struck by the clever use of space, rough-sawn timber ceilings, indoor-outdoor flow and double-storey light-well that lets in the sun.
“It’s compact but incredibly clever with soaring spaces, beautiful natural light and courtyards that make the house feel much bigger than it is,” says Rob.
“It’s one of those homes that has real character. There’s something interesting to look at everywhere you turn and we’ve always felt privileged to live here. It feels special to be a custodian of a little piece of New Zealand architecture.”
Built in 1969, 2/64 Hapua Street is tucked into the hillside at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Remuera.
Hapua Street is such an interesting pocket of Remuera, says Melissa Taylor of Bayleys. “Tucked between Arney Road and Seaview Road – the upper part became something of an architectural enclave during the late 1960s and 1970s and more recently there’s a hive of activity with newer homes emerging at the lower end of the street.”
The location was what drew Rob and Lucy to look at the townhouse as it’s close to where they both work with a nice park down the road for their dogs to run around on, and it was the perfect size.
“It’s one of those homes that has real character,” says one of the owners. Photo / Supplied
The sun hits the rear garden courtyard in the morning and the front deck in the afternoon. Photo / Supplied
The 68sqm townhouse has one bedroom, one bathroom and one car park with a front deck and rear courtyard. Photo / Supplied
The couple have found living here both “easy on the eye” and mind. “You wake up and feel good about where you live. It’s kind of hard to explain,” says Lucy.
“When we lived in Whangarei for a year in a ‘nothing special’ house we ended up just going away each weekend because we wanted to get out of there.
“Here we don’t have that feeling at all. You can spend the whole weekend here and choose different spots throughout the day, even just lying on the couch and looking through the light-well into the trees.”
The sun hits the rear garden courtyard in the morning and swings to the front deck in the afternoon where the couple have enjoyed many lunches and dinners, entertaining around the large table.
Little step-downs throughout the home create a feeling of separation in the open-plan space between the dining room and lounge. “You feel like you are going into another room. Megson uses the space really well. There’s also a step down into the bedroom. And even the courtyard and front deck feel like different rooms. It all flows really well,” says Rob.
What they’ve loved most about being here is “the space and the light”.
Little step-downs throughout the home create a feeling of separation in the open-plan space between the dining room and lounge. Photo / Supplied
Listing agent Melissa Taylor: “It’s a great alternative to an apartment, with no body corporate, and the bonus of a huge terrace plus a private courtyard.” Photo / Supplied
“When you’re in the house you don’t look onto anyone’s house or the road. You just look into the sloping garden and there’s lots of sunlight so though it’s small, you’ve got space and privacy,” says Lucy.
Home improvements since buying the property in 2018 include replacing the bath with a shower. Putting wardrobe cupboards in the bedroom; and new benchtops and cupboards in the kitchen as well as a new dishwasher, oven and stove.
They’ve also installed a heat pump, keypad entry to the home and electric car charger. And spent a good deal of time reshaping the original wooden doors that lead to the outdoor courtyard – which now open with ease and keep out drafts. Two cars can be parked back-to-back in the single carport, and there is also a storage cupboard at the rear of the carport.
This is such a unique home, it feels like living in your own piece of art, says Melissa.
“It’s a great alternative to an apartment, with no body corporate, and the bonus of a huge terrace plus a private courtyard. It offers an affordable entry point into Remuera northern slopes or is the perfect lock-up-and-leave city base.”
2/64 Hapua Street in Remuera, Auckland, goes to auction on November 4.
– Sponsored by Bayleys