Catholic convent transformed into a dynamic Remuera home

By VICKI HOLDER

Not many Remuera households can claim to have a Catholic confessional alongside their entertainment room. But then, not many homes started life as a Catholic convent.

Built in the 1960s, this large, rambling home incorporates quirky features not usually found in ordinary homes. Contrary to what you might expect, it's not a sombre institutional anachronism.

Its original modernist design, by one of The Group architects, has been transformed into a family home.

When Australian marketing consultant Neil Buckley and his family discovered the building on an enormous Remuera section two years ago, they were enchanted by the building's spaciousness and unusual character.

Consulting design professionals - architect Gareth Ross and interior designer Jenny Green - they embarked on a labour of love, restoring it as a large family home.

"The original architect was James Hackshaw and his design was important in the refurbishment," says Neil. "We wanted to keep most of the internal walls, but there were 18 bedrooms and each had its own hand-basin, rimu bedside cabinets and built-in storage system.

Centrally located, the chapel was turned into a large heated swimming pool and spa pavilion. The rimu floors below the chapel were removed and the upstairs floor was replaced with a bridge, which is suspended over the pool.

The expansive deck off the main living area lets the family and their guests enjoy the views across a putting green.

Through an original rimu fire door, nine small rooms once lined up across the western aspect of the living level. Neil opened up the space, turning it into three large living areas. A sunny sitting room includes a library nook. Formal dining takes place in an elegant room, where rimu-panelled walls are complemented by feature walls painted in burgundy and pistachio. The rimu-panelled billiard room with burgundy walls has a bar.

On the upstairs level, there are two vast bedrooms, including the sunny master bedroom which has a dressing room and en suite. Neil's daughter's bedroom was formerly a lecture room. Adjoined by a substantial living area and a bathroom, it was redesigned as a guest wing.

There are three bedrooms downstairs. The two on the south side of the house have under-floor heating.

Neil chose a sound-proofed room next to the confessional as a place where he could play his trumpet, saxophone and drums. Other rooms were converted to a gymnasium, two bathrooms, and a Swedish sauna.

The nuns' recreation room, complete with 18 post boxes, is now three-car garaging. Other spaces, not allocated a function, remain empty. However, they are finished with rimu cabinetry, and are ready for whatever the future holds.

Sympathetically converted to a dynamic and spacious family home, this is a fascinating slice of Auckland's ecclesiastical and architectural heritage.

Vital Statistics

Address: 78 Upland Rd, Remuera.

Features: Converted Catholic convent on a large property with harbour and city views; double concrete block construction; huge kitchen/family room; separate sitting and dining rooms; billiard room; study; indoor pool and spa; sauna; gymnasium; classroom; five bedrooms; three-car garaging; music room; storage areas; under-floor heating in two bedrooms; panel heating; confessional.

Size: Land area 2757 sq m, sub-dividable into 800 sq m plus 1957 sq m; floor area 929 sq m.

Tender: Closes on July 5 at 4 pm.

Agents: Barry Thom and Grant Lynch, Unlimited Potential. Ph Barry 529 2199 bus; 529 1031 ah; 025 921 747 mob. Grant 529 0592 bus; 529 4563 ah; 025 965 655 mob.