KEY POINTS:
25 ARTHUR STREET,
FREEMANS BAY.
It was the combination of nostalgia and yearning for new adventures that first drew Carol and Frank Perry to their Freemans Bay home 11 years ago. The Perrys were empty-nesters looking to relocate from the eastern suburbs, when they happened upon their Arthur
St villa.
Only a hop, skip and jump from the hubbub of Ponsonby Rd, quiet, no-exit Arthur St has panoramic views of the harbour and city.
Number 25 is a square-front bay villa, protected from the road by a high picket fence. Its secure carport provides off-street parking for two cars. From the street, it's not at all apparent what unfolds on the other side of the house.
"We knew nothing about the area, but once we were inside the house and saw the view, well, that was it," Carol says. The immediacy of the urban vista reminded her of the view of the Manhattan skyline the couple enjoyed from a Brooklyn brownstone they had once lived in.
While the two-level house had been well cared for, the Perrys made some changes when they moved in to really make the most of the sun and view. An old friend, Peter Carter, did some concept drawings for the renovations, which saw the removal of a hallway and the opening up of the living areas on the upper level. A balcony upstairs allows an easy flow outside.
In the years since, Carol and Frank have embraced the neighbourhood and love the way the house functions for them in their retirement. However, this home would be just as ideal for families or working couples. "I love being east-facing. There's nothing nicer than sitting on the balcony with the sun on your back," Carol says.
The open-plan top level includes two living spaces, linked by a central, dual-sided fireplace. This layout works well for parties, but also allows for a more intimate scale when it's just Carol and Frank at home. As well as a casual dining area, there's also a dramatic formal dining room, which Carol says "just glows" at night. The room could easily be converted into a bedroom. A niche inside the room would be simple to turn into a wardrobe and there's an adjacent bathroom.
A grand kauri staircase leads to the home's lower level, where a set of french doors at the bottom of the stairs opens on to a timber deck outside. Bedrooms on either side of the hall also have doors outside. The master bedroom, on the right, includes a roomy wardrobe and dressing room, as well as an en suite bathroom.
To the left of the stairs, a guest room features plenty of wardrobe space. Down the hall, there's a further bathroom, as well as a large office. A wine cellar is attached to this room and there's a separate entrance, making this space ideal for a work-from-home situation. A courtyard outside gets plenty of afternoon sun.
From here, a path leads to a garden studio with its own bathroom. "Someone could use this as bed and breakfast accommodation if they wanted to," Carol says.
The home's lovely garden is lush with native trees, attracting tui and other birds. "It's such a lovely spot here. On Sundays we can hear the bagpipes in Victoria Park and the singing from the Samoan Church across the road." But after a decade of enjoying what Ponsonby has to offer, Carol and Frank are looking forward to their next adventure.
