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‘Rare as hen’s teeth’ home that once belonged to All Black on market
70's Ponsonby home for sale once owned by former All Black Olo Brown
There’s something about an architecturally designed 70s house. Maybe it’s the simple, unfussy construction, the open ceilings and exposed rafters? Maybe it’s the semi-open-plan rooms, and indoor, outdoor flow?
Whatever the case, these homes scrub up beautifully, particularly when you respect the original design.
Take 86 Islington St, in Ponsonby, for example. When its current owner took over, it was well loved, a little utilitarian and boxy, with cinder block walls on display inside and out. Today, it’s a lush, green monument to 70s design.
Peek inside this 70s-built home in Ponsonby
Ten years ago, the home was much less green and lush
Where on earth is this place?
Would you believe it’s in the middle of heritage protected Ponsonby, just two minutes from the Tole Reserve, and 10 minutes from Ponsonby Rd?
There was an Edwardian home, like its neighbours today, on the site up until the 70s. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by fire. The then owners rebuilt in the prevailing style of the day.
The home is rare in the area, as it’s a more moden build.
Because it’s a newer building, the home does not fall under the heritage overlay.
Who lives here?
The property belongs to Rachael Storey, who has owned it since about 2016. She lived in the home for about three years, however, it has been a rental for much of that time.
What drew her to the home?
Storey had been in LA where she’d seen and been inspired by a few Mid-century homes. She liked the flexibility of the designs, as well as the look and feel of them.
On returning to New Zealand, she spotted the Islington St property for sale and was “just so pleasantly surprised.”
The dining area opens onto a courtyard style garden, and through to the living room.
"It's a style of architecture that I've always admired, but to have opportunity to own a piece of architecture like this - in that location - is, in my view, as rare as hen's teeth."
As much as she liked the vibe of the home as it was, it also offered flexibility in being able to pull it down at some point and build her dream home in what is, really a dream Auckland location.
"Having the opportunity of bringing that address back to bare land should be seen as a very attractive option, because you do not have that option when it comes to villas."
The owner chose to leave the spaces semi- sectioned off from one another
What’s so special about it?
The well loved home of prominent Ponsonby family, the Browns, Storey purchased it from former All Black Olo Brown.
It was the Browns who commissioned the home after the original house perished.
The living room is set at the rear of the house.
Storey found a “town square letter” in the property files - what would probably be called a a public submission today - requesting permission to build in the 70s style, “because it was very ahead of its time”.
"Probably council would have preferred a like-for-like villa to go on to it, so it wasn't the easiest thing to achieve, but they got it over the line."
While the four-bed home was in good shape when Storey took ownership, it has since had a full renovation. Stand-out features include a very funky, chic and period appropriate green tile bathroom.
The bathroom is a nod to the home's 70s origins.
Outside, a fence adds to the sense of security and privacy, while a lick of paint to the retaining walls adds curb appeal. The ivy also adds something special to the look of the home.
It also has two off street parking spaces - a real rarity in this part of town.
The ivy is something else!
The “ivy” took a decade to grow.
Actually, it’s not really “ivy”, as in English, or Boston Ivy. This is creeping fig - although Storey calls it ivy. The beauty of creeping fig is that it is evergreen.
Another LA inspiration, the climbing plant gives the strong angles of the building a bit of softness. It’s also one of Storey’s favourite things about the home. One stipulation in her rental agreements was that tenants would not touch the ivy under any circumstances.
"That ivy has been a 10-year-project to get it where it is today," says Storey. "We had landscape maintenance people Lush and Leafy tend to it. The owner of the company treated it as if it was his own.
It wraps right around the house, and is slowly making its way to the rear.
"There's no short cut to that. Time is the only thing, there's no way of speeding that ivy up."
Who would buy a house like this?
Estate agent Elaine Ferguson of Ray White says the home would suit “all sorts”, but most likely a young professional couple, or singleton. The home has a lot of stairs, so might not suit an older buyer.
How much will a place like this set me back?
It’s hard to put and exact price on a property such as this one, as there are not many like it in the area.
While the CV is $2,200,000, Ferguson says that doesn’t adequately reflect expectations for this unique property. Valuations for the homes on either side of 86 at $3.4million and $2.38m The average for Ponsonby is $2.24m.
The 294m² property at 86 Islington St, Ponsonby is for sale by deadline, which closes on November 6.
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