High-cost houses are where you find them

Press, 12 October 1976, Page 21

High-cost houses are where you find them

Low-cost housing is often the subject of study. Can any conclusions be drawn about high-cost housing? Is high-cost housing in Christchurch confined to certain areas? MARGARET BUTLER found that the answer to this question was far from clearcut. The necessary view seems to be that while expensive houses may crop up almost anywhere, their greatest concentration is still in the traditionallv expensive districts. The house illustrated with the stream frontage is in Fendalton: the other two are on Huntsbury Hill.

Each week-end many hundreds of Christchurch people derive immense pleasure from an afternoon drive spent studying other people’s homes. Of particular interest, are the new sub-divisions where some of the most elaborate in "high-cost houses have been, and are being, built.

A look inside one or two of these will reveal features from a walk-in pantry to a billiards room which many people — especially those living in a standard three-bedroom, low-cost house — can only dream of.

Although any of these features might be added to the low-cost house it is difficult, without some architectural designing skill or a suitable location, to change the image of that house.

So what makes a new or established high-cost house which can be priced at anything up to and into the hundreds of thousands of dollars?

Location is of prime importance. Such suburbs as Avonhead, Ham, Burnside, Cashmere and Fendalton include areas of high-cost housing, and real estate agents agree that Fendalton has lost none of its former significance. An elaborate architecturally designed house built in the middle of a row of low-cost houses will lose much of its ef-

feet and possibly some of its value.

Most high-cost houses stand alongside those of equal style and price, usually in a quiet neighbourhood, often in a cul-de-sac. Some are built with a special outlook, perhaps directly overlooking the sea, or with a stream frontage. Size is another important requisite. Most highcost houses strike a floor area of between 2500 and 3000 sq. ft. For the young business executive or older professional person, a large entertaining area is virtually essential. Such people may place considerable importance on the house they buy having four bedrooms, a separate kitchen and dining area, two toilets, a sizable bathroom designed as a feature of the house rather than a necessity, a double garage and room to keep a boat or caravan.

Then there are the extras. A high-cost house, usually double-storey or split level, and therefore larger than the standard three-bedroom house, will require more materials in construction.

From the streets, bay windows; shutters; balconies; elaborate front doors and wrought iron work; lattice, arched or aluminium windows and supporting pillars may identify the high-cost house.

Built-in extras can include a walk-in pantry, wastemaster, central heating, a built-in bar, games or rumpus room, a study, sauna room, indoor or outdoor swimming pool, billiards room. tennis court, and a double or triple garage — often built under the house. Real estate agents believe that the high-cost house purchaser is usually content to stay in that house for several years, making any necessary alterations.

One real estate agent suggests that those buying a high-cost house can find them easier to finance than those purchasing the low-cost house. Some high-cost house purchasers can afford to finance their houses while others rely on private mortgages, he says.

One high-cost house now described which has been architecturally designed will include many of the features mentioned here.

The large floor area allows for a workshop, office, sizeable lounge with adjoining diningroom, living-room, small laundry, and kitchen with separate dining facilities.

The master bedroom will have “his and hers” bathrooms and a dressing room with vast storage and wardrobe space. Two guest bedrooms will have their own bathroom and coffee-making facilities.

Outside, a triple garage, swimming pool and builtin barbeque have been planned. Considerable use has been made of large windows and sliding glass doors and the house will be surrounded by a terrace.

To gain some impression of an average highcost house,'l spoke to a woman who moved with her husband and family into a new house in Avonhead about four years and a half ago. They had previously lived in a low-cost house on a busy main road. Before the house was built, the couple looked through several other houses. They could tell the builder exactly what they wanted. During the time they have lived there no alterations have been made.

The house, on a 24perch section, has four bedrooms, a large kitchen, dining and lounge area with extensive use of glass sliding doors and large windows, two toilets, and a double garage. The kitchen came with a large, wall-to-ceiling pantry and wastemaster and the lounge with a built-in china cabinet. The bathroom had built-in vanity unit plus the standard medicine cupboard. The main part of the house is centrally heated and there is fibreglass insulation. All ceilings, except in the kitchen, are

stippled (of a rough surface) and all woodwork has a woodgrain effect. The stair railing leading to the bedrooms and bathroom is of wrought iron. The couple had no complaints about the house and considered the neighbourhood quiet. Although it was felt there was adequate privacy from neighbours, the wife considered public transport unsatisfactory. Parks and schools are within a reasonable distance. In the kitchen the wife felt she had sufficient bench and cupboard space. Storage space throughout the house was considered adequate with a large airing cupboard, and cupboards in the laundry. Three of the bedrooms had built-in wardrobes which were considered adequate. In the bathroom, despite a wall heater, there was still a problem with condensation and it was felt some type of vent rat ion would have to be installed. Despite aluminium windows there was still some problem in thu bedrooms with condensation on the inside of windows. Central heating was not installed in this area, however.

Another house I saw had been extensively altered to bring it into the superior housing bracket and is on an attractive stream frontage in Fendalton.

It was purchased about

20 years ago as a standard four-bedroom house and architecturally dk alterations were carried out about 12 years ago.

The dining and lounge area has been extended to give a large entertainment area, with extensive use of large windows and glass doors to highlight the stream frontage. A sunny gallery or sitting area has been added to enhance the front entrance. Two bedrooms have been altered; one has had a glass door installed to replace a window and a dressing room has been added to the master bed room. An extra bathroom has been put in. The house is surrounded by established high-cost homes and there can be no doubt its site with stream frontage has been the major contributer to its value. Then of course there are tile architecturally designed alterations. Many houses around Christchurch have had pieces added and this can be seen at a glance. Even the closest scrutiny of this particular house would not reveal the alterations it had had. While high-cost housing can be a reality for many, for most it is nothing more than a picture in a real estate agent's window or memories of a drive on a Sunday afternoon