Mission Bay: The pink house

This Art Deco delight with many original features occupies a prime site on Auckland's waterfront. By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

Rising to attention on Pipimea Head in Mission Bay is the ubiquitous pink house Aucklanders feel so familiar with.

Nestled hard into the cliff, this Auckland icon painted a distinctive pink colour is as much part of the landscape as many natural features.

Designed in 1935 by architect Lewis Walker and completed in 1937, this Art Deco, stucco bungalow retains many of its original features and stands proud rising straight up from the footpath, affording the home spectacular panoramic views.

In keeping with the Art Deco style, the bungalow maintains decoratively styled surfaces, while the geometric precision of the ornamental layers and lines remain clearly faithful to the Deco era from which it originated.

Owned by the same family who relocated from Christchurch more than 50 years ago, this property is testament to its popular era.

The bungalow stands unique in its ability to both adapt to and define the surrounding environment in a mixture of contradictory statements incorporating both splendour and understatement. Approaching the dwelling from either end of Tamaki Drive, the confrontation of stark contrast between pink and tranquil green bush surrounds immediately impresses. This offsets the imposing lone palm beside the building.

The house continues to perform in a fashion which emphasises its prime location on Auckland's waterfront. Equilibrium is maintained through the incongruity of placement at the base of a cliff, yet maintaining the excitement of pink stucco erupting onto the sea. The view across the harbour and beyond to Auckland's East Coast Bays is held in check by the commonplace of garage doors and climbing stair parapets - themselves contrasted in white against the pink. The garage has a high stud, with the potential for a mezzanine floor to be added for storage. The basic frontage of the bungalow is highlighted by the attractive entrance which retains privacy within such a public domain.

Notwithstanding the character added to the house through its pink colouring, the home was originally white with black trim, but was transformed in 1967 to accommodate a favourite colour.

Aficionados of Art Deco will be impressed. Behind the frosted glass door with wrought-iron detailing unfolds a gracious living area. Textured wallpaper on the ceiling and an original fireplace enhance the beauty of this room's spectacular panoramic views. Storage abounds in the kitchen's original cabinetry. And meals may be served through a quaint cupboard door opening to what was once used as a dining space. Down the hallway are two bedrooms, a bathroom and second living area.

Extended in 1940, this serene living area leads to a small balcony which originally lined the front of the room. The second bedroom maintains timelessness with the retention of one of two built-in beds used by the present owner when he was a child. The opposite wall is lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and storage.

A sturdy retaining wall abuts the hillside and concrete walkways - in keeping with the character of the period - lead to a private lookout at the top of the garden. Recently cleared to optimise the awe-inspiring views, this relaxing outdoor area is the perfect place to recapture the past glory of a bygone age.

This home preserves a character of Auckland's building from the 1930s - one of a small number of untouched older homes in the area. It remains a landmark status expounding the beauty of the Art Deco era and contrasts vividly with its more contemporary neighbours. Definitely not a white elephant, albeit now pink, this home offers period living on one of Auckland's most beautiful seafront locations.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 135 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay.

FEATURES: Two-bedroom, Art deco, stucco bungalow with unobstructed views of harbour, Rangitoto, and Aucklands East Coast Bays; original fixtures and fittings including dooor handles, light switches, wallpapered ceiling and wrought-iron detailing; two garages; established garden with paths leading to private lookout.

SIZE: Land area 796sq m

TENDER: Closes 4pm February 27.

AGENTS: David Rainbow and Joneen Smith, Bayleys, Newmarket. Ph 520 888 bus; David 522 9667 ah; 021923 364 mob; Joneen 021 464 557 mob.