Grosvenor St

When the owners discovered this Edwardian villa dating back to 1910—they were immediately captivated by the remarkably high ceilings that were uniform across every room. They recognised the potential to honour the home’s Edwardian heritage while injecting a dose of urban sophistication and modernity.

Before purchasing the property, they consulted with Henry Dunham Building to assess thefeasibility of their vision.

The owners, a couple of entrepreneurs experienced in hospitality, eventcreation, and marketing, had previously collaborated with Henry during the renovation of The Oyster Inn restaurant and boutique accommodation project on Waiheke in 2012.The couple appreciated Henry’s meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to a 5-star hotel quality standard, which they saw as a significant asset for this project.

They engaged Kimberley Read of Lewelleyn Architects to help create a master plan for the renovation, which involved modifying internal walls, relocating and resizing windows, and adding a guest ensuite bathroom. The owners emphasised symmetry as a key architectural theme, which was applied throughout the master bathroom, living areas, shelving, joinery, and kitchen.

Taking charge of the interior design, the couple adopted a classical approach infused with modern elements. The renovation required a complete overhaul, including new flooring, rewiring, and a full update of all living spaces, bathrooms, and the kitchen. The couple wanted the renovation to be authentic and sourced Edwardian cornices and ceiling roses from iconic, heritage suppliers like Plastercraft, and tapware from renowned Britishsuppliers Lefroy Brooks and DeVol and Perrin & Rowe