Epsom: Family favourite

Mature trees and formal grounds set the scene for what’s on offer behind the front door of this Epsom classic.

Solid and handsome, this grand residence has been a loved family home full of special memories.

'Stunning character features have been cherished and restored and melded with modern conveniences to make this house a home.'

If you have lived in Auckland for any length of time and driven around Epsom, you would have stumbled upon Mt St John Ave. An avenue that backs onto the mountain - as its name suggests - it is also well known in the area as one of the most sought-after addresses.

The reason why? Substantial homesteads on large sections line one side of the avenue while prestigious well-kept grounds of private schools forge the other.

Set back from the road, behind beautiful mature trees, this grand home built in 1924 by John McKenzie Wilson has been painstakingly maintained and improved and is now a capacious solid home comprising three levels of immaculate living.

Realising their dream, the owners of the home knew as soon as they saw it that they had to make it their own. Owning number 23 for the past 13 years, the family has enhanced previous alterations completed by architects and augmented the home by totally refurbishing and further extending the home's boundaries.

Setting the scene, mature trees and formal gardens typify what is on offer behind the front door. Stunning character features have been cherished and restored and melded with modern conveniences to make this house a home.

A formal sitting room to one side is warmed by an open fire, while nearby an imposing wood panelled dining room is a stunning environment for entertaining. On opposite sides of the entrance, which is generous and grand, these two formal areas are connected by a cosy and demure study with its own open fireplace.

Towards the rear of the home, the owners have reconfigured the existing floor plan and added a family room, large laundry and generous kitchen. Conscious of retaining the home's character, these areas seamlessly flow from the original dwelling.

The kitchen has heart rimu cabinetry - plenty of it, as the owners had four children (mainly boys) and were mindful of catering for their growing needs, and the family room opens to a deck and pretty garden. The laundry also has traditional touches with the original drying rack still in use.

The stunning, wide staircase winds to a landing where over the new kitchen a large bedroom, family bathroom and separate toilet sit. Melding with the home's strong wood theme, the renovated bathroom has new rimu cabinetry by Latrobe Hall (the same company that designed and built the kitchen), which is complemented by polyurethaned cork tiles and an oversized glass shower. A master bedroom with an en suite and sun deck, a front sunroom or bedroom and another bedroom with its own separate study area complete the upper level.

On the lower level, a large rumpus room (complete with pool table) is an ideal area for children. With its own entrance from a carport, this level could easily be self contained. Comprising a double bedroom, modern bathroom plus cellar and storage, all that is needed is a kitchenette to make it fully self sufficient.

The entire house has recently been painted inside and out, and the exceptional formal gardens meticulously maintained.

An outstanding example of a lovely family home, its position is unsurpassed, within walking distance of all the top private and public schools, minutes from Newmarket and Remuera and with easy access to the motorways.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 23 Mt St John Ave, Epsom.

FEATURES: Restored 1924 Epsom classic five-bedroom home; three and a half bathrooms; formal living area with sunroom and large bay window; study; formal dining area with wood paneling; kitchen and family area opening to pretty garden; large rumpus room complete with pool table; cellar or potential darkroom; open fires; security alarm; smoke detectors; garden lighting; wine; potting shed; storage areas; tool shed; garden shed; two carports plus off-street parking.

SIZE: Land area 979sq m.

AUCTION: At 2pm, March 2, at Bayleys Maritime Sq auction rooms. 2002 CV was $1.23 million.

AGENT: Dinah Macky, Bayleys. Ph 309 6020 bus; 021 935 466 mob.