Design stands the test of time

12 Paritai Drive, Orakei. Photo/Fiona Goodall

12, PARITAI DRIVE, ORAKEI

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SIZE: Land 1039sq m, house 345sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $4.5 million-plus.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45pm

ON THE WEB: barfoot.co.nz/535009

SCHOOL ZONES: Selwyn College.

CONTACT: Paul Studman, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 021 998 563

TENDER: Closes 4pm, February 24.

Paritai Drive is well known as one of Auckland City's most ostentatious streets.

But this property -- the sixth to be built on the Eastern Suburbs' dress circle street -- is notable for the timeless, classic beauty of its good design.

Built for John Griffiths' parents as their family home in 1937, the house, which was designed by architects Gummer and Ford and Partners, was showcased in 1948 by Home and Building magazine as an example of good architecture that had not dated.

Another 67 years on, the home that John now owns and has lived in since he was born has stood the test of time with the help of careful renovations that have modernised it while being sympathetic to its original design.

"My father was an architect but he had just qualified and did not think he was good enough to design his own home," says John.

The vertical board-and-batten house was built on one level and surrounded by farmland when John and his sister were children.

Being at the Okahu Bay end of Paritai Drive, it is sheltered from the westerly winds that can sweep over the other end of the street.

"My parents had a boat and they selected its mooring at Okahu Bay so that they could see it from the house."

When John married his late wife, Janetta, he had bought a section in Orakei Rd where he already had plans drawn up to build their own house.

But his mother died around that time, so his father and Janetta hatched a new plan that involved adding a flat to the Paritai Drive house where his father could live.

The large flat at the eastern end of the house includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and lounge.

It has a separate entrance off the marble paved front terrace as well as one off the main foyer of the house.

Image 1 of 9: Herald Homes 12 Paritai Drive, Orakei 120115 NZH Homes home of John Griffiths Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

After the home's spectacular sea views were partly blocked by a new house across the road, John decided to add a second storey in 1986.

This space, designed by architect Robert Railley, includes a master bedroom and en suite, second lounge and wide, partly covered deck that spans this level's north face.

The views from this upper level sweep across Bastion Point, Rangitoto Island, North Head and out to Whangaparaoa Peninsula, with Kawau Island visible on a clear day.

Railley's modifications to the ground level included opening up the separate kitchen, laundry and dining room at the northwest end of the house. A modern, classic kitchen now flows through to the dining room, which adjoins the original formal lounge.

The kitchen also opens to a sheltered, west-facing barbecue patio that catches the best of the afternoon sun.

This level also includes two double bedrooms and the main bathroom off the hallway behind the lounge. The home's meticulously maintained original features include paneled sash windows and beautiful original joinery.

The basement of the house has also been dug out and now includes internal access double garaging and a wine cellar.

The 1100sq m section includes a sheltered private swimming pool in front of the flat and beautifully landscaped gardens including the original front wall.

Now John's adult children are in their early 40s and he has sold his business, he is ready to downsize to a single level home.