Belmont (29 Stilwell Road)

On the corner of Summit and Stilwell Roads stands the attractive house known as ‘Belmont’. This was originally called ‘Failand’ and was situated on Symonds St in the city. In 1896, the owner, William Winstone, sawed it into two pieces and transported it here on bullock drays.

Near the end of Summit Drive, at No. 5, is one of at least six houses in this area designed by the Arts and Crafts architect Basil Bramston Hooper, who believed in using decoration and ornament to enliven his houses while also maximising window space and suiting the design to the family who would live there. He usually designed bespoke furniture to be built into each house.

Turning left on Mount Albert Road, No. 23 is Hooper’s last house in Auckland, built for the Takle family after Mrs Takle’s asthma made it difficult for her to manage the stairs and the steep plot of their home on Summit Road. Note the external chimneys and the herringbone ornamentation, both distinctive Arts and Crafts features, and the more modern Art Deco sunburst design on the right-hand window.

Return to Summit Road and continue north. At Mount Albert Road, turn left.