Ponsonby: Boots and all

1 Leighton Street, Ponsonby. 

A rundown villa and a disused boot factory have been transformed into stunning inner city living, writes Liz Dobson. 

When Andrew and Ella Wilson wanted to add some wow factor to their next redevelopment they had the bonus of an historical central city landmark to impress potential buyers. 

They spotted the rundown square front villa 18 months ago, and discovered there was also a disused boot factory at the rear of the section. Former journalist-turned-chippie Andrew realised the potential of not only transforming the three-bedroom house into a modern family home, but also the benefit of turning the 1922 factory into a studio. 

"These days it would be very hard to get permission to build such a large studio on a section," Andrew reckons. 

The property also had other unique qualities. 

"The villa had no indoor toilet, and along the boundary was a block of toilets that had 'boys' and 'girls' signs that must have been used for the boot factory," recalls Andrew. 

It is believed the factory produced boots for soldiers during World War II, but by the late 1940s the business closed down. 

Fast forward to 2006 and it is time for a new phase for the factory. After 10 months of renovating by Andrew's company, Urbis Construction, the result is spectacular. From the moment you open the front door you are drawn into the house - through the central corridor, past the renovated rear of the house, beyond the in-ground swimming pool to the old factory with its wall of French windows and pergola framing the building. 

The self-contained studio would make an ideal teenage retreat, pool house or home office. According to Andrew, the former industrial space had the bones to create a dynamic room. 

"The walls were lined with concrete, which is very unusual, but also creates a very quiet area and is great for insulation," he says. "The floors were originally earthen, and then later concreted. It was surprising because although the building was fairly derelict, the structure itself was in quite good condition." 

Andrew retained the original trusses, added the French doors, a bathroom, potential kitchenette area, plus upstairs loft space. The 82sq m building also has its own entrance from the secure double off-street parking. 

Inside the main house there are three double bedrooms - the master with a double-shower bathroom and walk-in wardrobe - that all lead off the central passageway. 

The impressive living area has an open-plan kitchen and dining area on one side, and a lounge with a gas fire on the other, but the most dramatic feature is the large wall of glass doors that slide back to create a 6m-wide opening to an entertaining area. 

Landscape architect Ron Dykman designed the outdoor space to be low-maintenance, with a concrete tiled courtyard, and tropical planting. But it's the in-ground 7m-long pool that is the focal point. 

With all day sun, the property promises outdoor living, while at night you can entertain thanks to the lights scattered around the garden and the sound system that links the home entertainment system to outdoor speakers. 

For the past four years, Andrew, with interior designer Ella, have developed heritage homes in central Auckland and Devonport. While Andrew oversees the building, it is Ella's flair for colour and interior design that fuses each project. 

"We like to focus on heritage homes because we enjoy renovating them and find there is enormous potential, and the market is demanding such places." 

Such demand means that the next project for Andrew and Ella is a bungalow near the West Lynn shops. 

Vital Statistics: 

BEDROOMS: 3 + 

BATHROOMS: 3 

GARAGE: 2 

SIZE: Land 481sq m, house 183sq m (approx), studio 82sq m (approx). 

PRICE:Interest expected upwards of $1 million. Auction May 18. 

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 11-11.45am, Wed 5.30-6pm. 

CONTACT: Heather Lanting or Marty Hall, Ray White, ph 0274 394 124 (Heather), 0274 500 168 (Marty). 

FEATURES: Open-plan living and kitchen area with huge glass sliding doors to a courtyard with in-ground swimming pool. Large studio with separate entrance. Home entertainment system that includes outdoor speakers and a plasma TV.