Parnell: Parnell landmark

These terraces have seen a lot of fun and frolics in their time. Now it's time for a new owner to sample life at this gem of a Parnell property. By VICKI HOLDER.

Facing the derision of their friends, the Chunn family moved into one of three Edwardian terrace houses in Parnell in 1970. For a professional couple, such a home was regarded as not quite fitting. Terrace houses were designed to be rented out to tenants and had nowhere near achieved the fashionable status they enjoy today.

But for Yvonne and Jerry Chunn and their five children, it was an interim move to bring them closer to Jerry's new Queen St allergy clinic before building a family home in Remuera.

While they were renting, however, the Chunn children grew fond of their home in Parnell Rd. "Its convenient location for schools and university and its close proximity to the Domain, museum and Newmarket appealed," says Yvonne. "Something intangible about the house drew us close."

After a year of "camping" and getting no further towards the design of their Remuera home, the opportunity to buy the three terrace houses proved too good to turn down. The end terrace remained a rental, while the remainder continued as the Chunn family home. Holes were punched through walls to join two of the terraces, converting them into one big home. The conversion was "fast, furious and fun", as corbels, finials, mouldings, columns and architraves were sourced from demolition yards.

Plaster walls were glazed and many original rooms were brightened up by warm, extravagant 70s wallpaper. Instead of doors, hand-dyed and spun fabrics by artist Zena Abbott screened some of the doorways.

David Cranwell, a landscape architect friend, came up with mellow, aged bricks to pave the courtyard. He created a private haven with the addition of a reflecting pool, complete with goldfish and fountain, trees, shrubs and roses.

Cleverly designed double glazing on the street-facing windows reduced traffic noise miraculously. The double brick construction of the house has always given a sense of solidity, safety and permanence, says Yvonne. She regards it as a "citadel to protect us in the heart of the city".

"And it is just that. For when we first came here, the local priest greeted us with the words: "Welcome to the Holy Land of Parnell"." He was referring to the fact that Parnell, the smallest of Auckland's suburbs, held more places of religion than any other.

"There perhaps lies its spiritual essence," says Yvonne. "The aged oaks across the road, the historic residences - Kinder House and Ewelme Cottage - are just around the corner in Ayr St and Selwyn's graceful buildings at the top of St Stephens Ave evoke the past."

For years the family thrived in their warm, private world behind the "black terraces". "This house works perfectly for me," says Yvonne. "It's almost uterine, ideal for entertaining, yet a private place for everyone. I could not design a more functional kitchen, laundry, dining or living area."

The children could play in the Domain and walk to the cinemas that are within 10 minutes of home.

At one stage, the Chunn boys, Mike and Geoff, rented the end terrace with members of their band, Split Enz. It's a tribute to the thickness of the walls that their noisy practice sessions were never heard.

In 1974, Dr Chunn converted the third terrace into the Parnell Allergy Clinic where he practised until his retirement in 1994.

Since the Chunns' initial burst of enthusiasm, a conservatory has been added to fill the dark no-man's land off the kitchen. In 2000, architect Nicholas Stevens updated the kitchen and bathrooms. Glass bricks were installed in the north-facing walls to bring light into two living rooms. Parquet flooring with underfloor heating was laid in the long lounge. The garden was redesigned by Geraldene Gillies in a low-maintenance, subtropical scheme that featured in the Holy Trinity fund-raiser for 2002.

In 2001, Mike Chunn returned with his wife, Brigid, and their four children. After purchasing the end terrace, they commissioned architect Nicholas Stevens to redesign it as a family home. They added yet another west-facing gallery above the kitchen as their master suite, which gave them four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Glazing across an outdoor passage brought further internal space as a dining room.

It's only recently that the Chunns have felt the desire to leave their landmark property, which is so full of cherished memories. Now it's time for everybody to explore new beginnings.

Vital Statisitics

ADDRESS: 469,471 and 473 Parnell Rd, Parnell.

FEATURES: Three north-facing terrace houses architecturally renovated by Nicholas Stevens; 469 and 471 are joined and share multi-functional spaces used as sitting rooms and a lounge; dining room; TV room; library; conservatory; four bedrooms and study; 473 features two lounges and a conservatory dining space off the kitchen; four bedrooms plus two bathrooms; shared carport; private rear courtyards.

SIZE: Total land area 480sq m.

TENDER CLOSES: Sept 18.

AGENT: Linda Galbraith, Belle Property. Ph 307 2320 bus; 021 966 028 mob.