Address |7 Clarks Lane, Hobsonville

Agent | Kris Cunningham – 029 767 6801

This landmark Hobsonville property is a masterclass in restoration and renovation. Crafted around the turn-of-the-century, the grand Kauri building was originally the local schoolhouse during the week and a Presbyterian church on the weekend. In 2015, the current owners worked with an architect to meticulously and respectfully transform it into a truly unique, breathtakingly stylish living environment.

Evoking a sense of pure drama, the original building is now a voluminous and open-plan lounge and dining room, complemented with the creation of a brand new kitchen, six-car garaging and top floor office and accommodation. Recognising the true heritage beauty and craftsmanship of the building, an astounding level of passion and precision has gone into creating a seamless transition between old and new. Original elements have been expertly reinvigorated and brought back to life, complemented with carefully curated accoutrements and custom-made details offering more space and all the features of modern luxury living.

A feature Lychgate entrance arch introduces the estate, where the newly painted building features copper downpipes and is topped with the original finial. Inside, the living and dining room has rich Matai floors and Rimu walls and ceilings. It’s enveloped within Italian velvet drapes and romantically lit with feature pendant lighting (complemented with LED lights in the ceiling). The kitchen was created with an ‘aged’ aesthetic, with dark marble benches, SMEG appliances and hand painted black watermarks on the new timber floors.

Upstairs, the mezzanine office has new balustrade featuring handcrafted crosses. There are 11 skylights in the roof upstairs, which open for ventilation and flip 180 degrees for cleaning. There are two symmetrical, spacious bedrooms up here. The main bedroom has an ensuite and its own large deck, which showcases views out to Whenuapai and often enjoys aerobatic displays. Across the hall, the other bedroom overlooks the garden and is serviced by its own bathroom.

The enormous internal garage has a dyed concrete floor and a whitewashed pine tongue and groove ceiling, with the oversized carport outside equipped with a built-in wastewater dump for a motorhome. Two Kauri and Rimu garden sheds have been built to council consent code and were created from materials taken from the building’s original lean-to. The gorgeous studio is fully insulated and has its own porch, chandelier, comfy seating and a gas-heated outdoor bath. They’ve been aesthetically aged to fit within the design concept, matching the fences around the property.

While enjoying a sense of whimsical beauty, every aspect of the 1998m2 grounds and gardens serve a purpose and have been carefully thought-out. A flourishing orchard Is filled with pears, figs, cherries, lemons, lime and apples, and the Pin Oaks out front will grow to create an even more impressive street side presence. The special grounds have also been the setting for many large-scale occasions, including a wedding, and the paved patio, bar leaners and fire pit are the perfect place to while away summer evenings.

Clarks Lane enjoys a very peaceful, rural atmosphere, but is just a short walk over the bridge from all that vibrant Hobsonville Point has to offer – transport, shopping, education, drinking and dining.

This is a true passion project and statement of design ingenuity that must be experienced to be believed.