Park Lane is up for sale. Who cares? You do. It’s arguably New Zealand’s first modernist house, designed in 1938 by Humphrey after returning from London. He was clearly impressed with Corbusier and designed this villa in the streamlined International Style complete with nautical details and an open sun-deck. Back when UV exposure, like smoking, was good for your health.This house is one of the most important modern homes in the country. Robin Simpson’s own Remuera House and Ernst Plishke’s Frankl House are of the same time, but quite different in style. Park Lane is really one-of-a-kind and features in pretty much all the books, including Julia Gatley’s Long Live the Modern and Douglas Lloyd Jenkins At Home. It also featured in New Zealand Home & Entertaining’s Top 50 homes of the Century list Top 50 Homes of the Century (pdf download).

Remarkably, the house looks pretty original. The built-in furniture and kitchen seem intact, the iron spiral stairs are present and all it really needs is a sympathetic hug and  few swings of a sledgehammer to open up the roof deck again. Happy bidding.

View the Harcourts listing

Thanks Andrew for the tip