Dame Theresa Gattung’s former Auckland architect home for sale

An Auckland home in Westmere designed by architect Andrew Patterson and formerly owned by My Food Bag co-founder Dame Theresa Gattung has been listed for sale through Wall Real Estate, with a deadline closing on November 24.

The Bottom Line

  • The three-bedroom property at 3 Livingstone Street was bought by the current vendor six years ago for $3.55 million.
  • Architect Andrew Patterson designed the house with specific architectural features, including an exterior spiral staircase.
  • The property carries an RV of $4.5m and is listed with agent Fliss Grennell ahead of its deadline sale.

The Architecture of Livingstone Street

The three-bedroom property in Auckland’s Westmere was built as an ambitious project for its time. The vendor, who purchased the house six years ago for $3.55 million, noted that Patterson is recognized for his luxury builds across New Zealand, including a sprawling mansion at Andersons Cove that sold this year for $56m. While Patterson is best known for such large-scale luxury estates, 3 Livingstone Street represents a smaller-scale project applying similar design principles.

The home’s design centers around light and landscape integration. The current vendor recalled inviting Patterson over to discuss the unconventional layout, which features an exterior spiral staircase. According to the vendor, Patterson explained that the stairs were designed so residents walk toward the ocean as they head to bed. Dame Theresa Gattung, who owned the property for five years before selling it, previously commissioned Patterson to design a home at Waihi Beach. In a 2020 interview with OneRoof, she noted that because both she and the architect are tall, the home possesses a generous sense of scale that fits naturally into its surroundings.

Living Spaces and Family Appeal

Set on a private 600sqm section, the Westmere residence combines structural simplicity with functional family living spaces. Walls of glass maximize natural light, illuminating high ceilings and a sleek swimming pool visible from the kitchen area. The vendor described the downstairs level as open, crisp, and bright, while the upstairs bedrooms offer a more subdued and calm atmosphere. Despite its unconventional architectural aesthetic, the property has proven kid-friendly, featuring safe play areas and proximity to a local playground just around the corner.

The vendor’s journey to ownership began years before acquiring the keys. He recalled telling the listing agent back in 2020 that he intended to buy the house, posting a photo on Instagram of himself on the signature staircase after falling in love with the design. Describing the property as resembling a work of art meant for daily living, the vendor admitted that living in such a refined space has inspired an itch to build a new project from scratch, acknowledging he will likely regret leaving.

Market Expectations and Upcoming Sale Deadline

Listing agent Fliss Grennell of Wall Real Estate expects the property to attract strong interest from buyers. The home carries an RV of $4.5m. Grennell noted that the house has drawn admiration from local buyers for years, with several people inquiring whether it would ever come to market. The combination of Patterson’s architectural footprint, strategic positioning, natural light, and complete privacy underpins expectations for competitive interest as the campaign progresses toward its deadline.

Property Detail Specification
Location 3 Livingstone Street, Westmere, Auckland
Architect Andrew Patterson
Former Owner Dame Theresa Gattung
Rating Valuation (RV) $4.5m
Sale Method Deadline closing November 24

The campaign for 3 Livingstone Street moves toward its deadline closing on November 24, with prospective buyers evaluating the architectural offering.

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Marina Collins - Entertainment Editor

Senior Editor, Entertainment Marina is a celebrated pop culture columnist and recipient of multiple media awards. She curates engaging stories about film, music, television, and celebrity news, always with a fresh and authoritative voice.

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