The Whang\u0101rei \u201cart piece\u201d has changed hands several times since Athfield designed the \u201cout-of-the-box\u201d property.<\/p>\n
The groom, who chose the late architect as his best man, sold the property at 93 Hospital Road, in Horahora<\/a>, some years ago. Since then, it\u2019s been home to a dentist, anaesthetist and lawyer, with the most recent owner telling the New Zealand Herald in 2014<\/a> that she wasn\u2019t sure what to make of it when she first saw the photos.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought, \u2018What the hell is that?\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n The wood kitchen is a relatively timeless feature in the 1970s home. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n The multifunctional rooms can be used as either bedrooms or living areas. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n The home had Athfield\u2019s signature style of multiple levels, portal windows, pitched rooflines, solid plaster, slate and timber flooring. The owner told the Herald she was taken aback by the large spaces and unique features.<\/p>\n Athfield was known for saying you should get a surprise every time you turn a corner, and that\u2019s exactly what the owner got. \u201cYou could almost get lost … there are so many rooms on different levels,\u201d she told the Herald.<\/p>\n \u201cIt grows like topsy, every single room \u2013 it\u2019s neither bedroom nor lounge, it can be basically whatever you want it to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Discover more:<\/p>\n – Hidden mansion built from recycled bridges and old buildings hits the market<\/a><\/p>\n – Check out the urinals! $3m home the ultimate dinner party conversation starter<\/a><\/p>\n – Mike Hosking misses out as Cromwell car lover’s home sells for $2.1m<\/a><\/p>\n She lived at the one-of-a-kind house until her death last year. The deceased estate is now being sold \u201cas is, where is\u201d and, according to the listing, must be sold.<\/p>\n Property Brokers agent Val Rouse said the ideal buyer would be someone who was a fan of quirky homes and hard work. \u201cIt\u2019s whoever wants a funky house that needs a bit of work. It\u2019s got a truckload of potential if you like quirky,\u201d she told OneRoof.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s got some great characteristics. Every time I go in it, I see something different.<\/p>\n \u201cThe rooms are multi-functional, so it\u2019s whatever you want or however you want to live. That\u2019s the beauty about the house.\u201d<\/p>\n Architect Sir Ian Athfield, who died in 2015, was known for innovative style and quirky homes. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n She thought it would likely appeal to someone who wanted to do it up to live in themselves rather than being a quick flip.<\/p>\n The private Horahora location was another plus, she said.<\/p>\n The Hospital Road property is the only Athfield masterpiece in Whang\u0101rei, but there are many others scattered around the country.<\/p>\n There are currently five Athfield homes listed for sale on OneRoof, ranging from a five-bedroom, four-bathroom property at 24 Channel View Road, in Campbells Bay, North Shore, Auckland<\/a>, with an asking price of $4.295m, to a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 58 Read Street, in Levin<\/a>, which is inviting enquiries over $799,000.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/83d2f5b497b85482daed700b2e6346df.jpg\")
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