Devonport: The write stuff

A radical home has had some colourful owners and lots of interesting guests, writes Fritha Tagg.

29A Glen Road, Stanley Bay, Devonport.

If houses could talk this one would have some wonderful stories to tell. It has been home to some pretty special storytellers, movers and shakers.

The house has a Group Architects look about it, but was actually designed by one of the Group's contemporaries, Tim Peterson. Built in 1956, on a newly created section backing on to Stanley Bay Park adjoining reclaimed land, it beautifully complements its environment . In the 50s this style was considered extreme, particularly in villa-filled Devonport. It seems the house was always destined for difference.

Peterson designed the home for journalist Antony Alpers and his wife, writer Sarah Campion. When they returned to New Zealand in 1952 Sarah had already written 13 novels. Although she never wrote another, she contributed a monthly column for Home & Building magazine and was active in many 'radical' causes, such as the apartheid-opposed group HART.

Alpers wrote several books from the Glen Road house, including his two books on Katherine Mansfield, as well as Dolphins and Maori Myths and Tribal Legends.

Sarah and Antony's son, Former Fair Go presenter Philip Alpers, remembers "dozens of pensive, bearded, loony or raucous guests" who went on to become well known authors and poets.

The house was known as a great place to drop in for some entertainment. It remained that way for Pauline Colmar, who bought it in 1984.

"It's a wonderful party place," says Pauline. "There were always people dropping in and staying. The house suits people, it's just so easy and comfortable."

The house has good bones, says Pauline, but there have been a few changes over the years. In 1979 architect Stuart Cross designed a pop-top to provide more rooms upstairs, and added a flat downstairs.

A new kitchen, laundry, top floor bathroom plus additional windows in several rooms were added to take in the wonderful view over the park to Ngataringa Bay.

In 1990 architect Jim Stephenson designed extra rooms for downstairs. In 2000 the outside was reclad in cedar in keeping with its original look.

For Pauline Colmar it has been a wonderful family home. Her two children, Lucy and Oliver, were born in the house.

"I could be working in my office and still be able to see the children playing outside, or in the park. Their school is across the road. It was a perfect place for a family."

With three levels there is plenty of room, and also privacy when it's needed.

"We had an adults' guest room and a kids' guest room," says Pauline.

When a move to Devonport was first suggested, Pauline was not convinced.

"It took a year of looking. I didn't want a villa."

She had grown up in Kelston on the Whau Creek in a house designed by one of the Group Architects - Allan Wild - in late 1951.

"I lived there until I was 14. When you compare the two houses there are lots of similarities - the L shaped living area and semi-open plan kitchen, the indoor outdoor flow, the big trees and wild garden," says Pauline.

The trees touch the edges of the decks on the sunny northwest side, and there is a gnarly old pohutukawa planted along the edge of the park walk.

Evenings and sunsets are magnificent from the wide upstairs deck opening off the kitchen and family rooms.

The decision to sell has been a tough one. When Pauline told her two children she was selling the house and moving their response was: "Bye Mum, we're staying."

They are as attached to the family home as Pauline, but she says, in her straight-to-the-point style, "It is time for a change."

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 688sq m, house 300sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: $1.12 million.

INSPECT: Sat 1-1.45pm.

CONTACT: Danny de Graaf, Harcourts Devonport, ph 445 4005 bus, 021 732 616 mob, 445 7415 a/h.

FEATURES: 1956 Group Architect-style home on three levels with cedar cladding. Gas and electric cooking, extensive kitchen, wood burner stove. Views and a rambling garden.