It’s been on the market for 18 months, but the last house in Parr Rd, Point Chevalier remains unsold as the new New World supermarket surrounding the house gears up to open on August 19, 2025.
Owner Albert Andrews, 94, turned down a Foodstuffs offer of $2.5 million before work started, believing the sum was not enough for his 582m² property.
[…] Andrews now lives in Mt Albert, and his sons, in their 70s, occupy the house – the first one Albert bought for the family. Listing agent Shirley Daniels of Beckett Real Estate, who is in regular contact with the owner, says “things have gone really quiet this year”.
“The sons say ‘it is what it is; we’re boxed in’, but they just want to move to a nice house. Albert had a bad fall two weeks ago. He is on the mend now and has agreed to discuss the next move with the family, including his daughter when he’s up to it.”
Meanwhile, the neighbourhood has deteriorated. The neighbouring empty house at 8 Parr Rd was burned out in a fire in January this year, and Auckland Council has deemed it dangerous and unsanitary. It remains a burned-out eyesore.
[…] A notice on the burned out house, which was signed by council’s team leader for compliance central on May 9, stated that, because of the fire, loose roof material and debris can be dislodged by wind and injure people, or damage other property.
“The fire has also severely affected the internal structure of the building. For this reason, the building is dangerous.” It also noted the building is also insanitary because it is open to the elements, with moisture entering in multiple areas.
[…] Shirley Daniels earlier said the family was “shattered” when they first heard of the supermarket plans.
And Andrews told Stuff there were a lot of memories tied up with his house.
“Some are good, some are bad. But that’s life. My father-in-law and one of my customers helped pour the four-inch-thick concrete driveway which extends more than 100ft (30m).”
“Ten years after we moved in all those years ago, people were wanting to buy it,” he said. “It is the only freehold land left in the middle of Point Chevalier shops. He said he was holding out for “top dollar”.
So money, not memories then.
A Foodstuffs spokesperson said last year this part of Point Chevalier is a vibrant, mixed-zone community and Foodstuffs was really pleased to be building a brand new New World that the locals had been asking to have for a few years.
“When we’re planning to build a store, we work closely with the local community and neighbours to ensure we’re doing everything we can to minimise the potential impact. Sometimes this can involve offering to purchase nearby properties.”
I don’t know much if anything about this bit of Point Chev, but usually “vibrant mixed-zone community” is a euphemism for brown and poor. It’s like describing Glen Innes as vibrant, multicultural and unpretentious.
Today, the company’s website says Foodstuffs is “really excited” to be joining the Point Chev community. “For us, it’s not just about opening a store: it’s about settling in, getting to know people, and being part of something special here.”
Meanwhile Albert Andrew’s three-bedroom, 108m² bungalow at number 12 remains for sale by negotiation. It has a current RV of $1.525 million, down from $1.6m at the last valuation.
Sucks to be him then. Should have taken the money.
Anyway, a quick summary. Old bastard in his early 90s gets offered 2.5m for basically some land where he’s got an old clapped-out house on a clapped-out street. Says no and decides to hold out for more money.
What the actual? It’s not like Foodstuffs actually needed to buy the land.
At that age, 2.5m would set me up for the rest of my days.
Still maybe I’m being a bit unfair on the old fart. In situations like this it’s often the kids doing the pushing. In which case sucks to be them.
