NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Property

All eyes on an icon

By Louise Richardson
NZ Herald·
9 Nov, 2018 04:00 PM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

7 Albany Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

7 Albany Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Jim Courtney believes the handsome double-brick villa he shared with his late partner Donald Stenhouse was the original homestead in this part of the bay in the early 1900s, and that the first owner subdivided the land around it.

"What's also interesting is that it has an Australian, Paddington-style semi-detached terrace house sense about it, and I've always felt sure that the other side must have been on the original plans, but for some reason it wasn't built that way," says Jim.

With its character porch and balcony, complete with ornate fretwork, the house has become somewhat of a local icon and people frequently stop to admire it.

FOR MORE PROPERTY NEWS AND LISTINGS GO TO ONEROOF.CO.NZ

"Donald bought it in 1983 and he maintained it impeccably," says Jim, who moved in around 14 years ago. "It hadn't had many owners and although he wanted to extend it, he felt very strongly about maintaining its character."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
7 Albany Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst
7 Albany Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

As a result, the pavilion-style extension of 1991 was architect-designed and fits in perfectly with the original house, adding a sunny kitchen with garden views, an informal living and dining space and access via french doors to the covered deck outside.

Jim says this spot is such a suntrap, he and Donald used it in spring, summer, autumn and even winter, while just around the corner is a patio, which is also perfect for quiet relaxation.

Donald's major renovation also included a new bathroom on the ground floor, reached via a bedroom. On this level too is the huge formal lounge with fireplace, sash windows, period light fittings and loads of natural light.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

There's also a painting in the lounge of the house, done by a former neighbour, Howard Hume. Jim says it will come with the property as the depiction celebrates its heritage so beautifully.

7 Albany Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst
7 Albany Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Up the kauri staircase are two further bedrooms. Donald, a retired anaesthetist with a passion for the arts, particularly liked the front one of the two, as it had great acoustics.

It was here that he'd play his favourite opera records. There's also a neat little bathroom.

The colours throughout are bright and flamboyant and create a vibrant, welcoming vibe.
Another of the property's notable features is the size of the section, which at 526sq m is large by Herne Bay standards.

What's more, there's a single carport at the end of a long driveway, a rarity in this part of the city.

7 Albany Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst
7 Albany Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Jim jokes that the house is handy for people of his age because a doctor is just over the road and a pharmacy around the corner on Jervois Road.

But in reality the property is ideal for anyone who enjoys city fringe living with all the amenities it brings.

The Elbow Room is Jim's favourite local bar and he's enjoyed the many cafes and restaurants over the years, just moments from his front door.

Jim's moved into a new phase of his life in Birkenhead, and he's keen to see the 7 Albany Road pass to owners who are going to cherish this special property just as much as he and Donald did.

7 ALBANY RD

• 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom, 1* parking spaces.

• Land 526sq m; house 158sq m.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

• Auction: Nov 22.

• Inspect: Sat/Sun, 12pm-12.30pm.

• Schools: Bayfield School, Ponsonby Intermediate, Western Springs College.

• Contact: Steve Williams, Ray White, 027 295 6153; Caroline Yau, 021 618 211.

*Plus 3 OSP

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Property

Property

Second time lucky: Young couple's squeals of delight after they buy real-life doll’s house

07 Jul 07:35 AM
Property

'Bit of a pickle': Council twist turns cute bach into $400,000 off-grid shed

07 Jul 07:25 AM
Property

OCR twist: Will the Reserve Bank surprise homeowners on Wednesday?

07 Jul 07:15 AM

Audi offers a sporty spin on city driving with the A3 Sportback and S3 Sportback

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Property

Second time lucky: Young couple's squeals of delight after they buy real-life doll’s house

Second time lucky: Young couple's squeals of delight after they buy real-life doll’s house

07 Jul 07:35 AM

They had missed out on their dream home eight months earlier.

'Bit of a pickle': Council twist turns cute bach into $400,000 off-grid shed

'Bit of a pickle': Council twist turns cute bach into $400,000 off-grid shed

07 Jul 07:25 AM
OCR twist: Will the Reserve Bank surprise homeowners on Wednesday?

OCR twist: Will the Reserve Bank surprise homeowners on Wednesday?

07 Jul 07:15 AM
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei wins Environment Court appeal for recognition

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei wins Environment Court appeal for recognition

07 Jul 05:00 AM
Gold demand soars amid global turmoil
sponsored

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP