There is a lot of property for sale right now, but which listing suits you best? OneRoof’s Buyers’ Club series brings you the best in New Zealand real estate, from affordable starter homes to luxury mansions. We’ll highlight a range of homes from around the country that are worth your attention.
Talk to anyone with a heritage home, and they’ll wax lyrical about all the reasons they love it. Whether they’re closet history buffs or fans of period architecture, these home owners relish living in an environment brimming with character.
Buying such a property – and New Zealand has a lot of them – means you become the next custodian (and another in a long line of colourful characters who have likely dwelled there). It’s also an opportunity to preserve a part of the country’s cultural heritage.
This collection of historic homes for sale on OneRoof features late-19th and early-20th century New Zealand architecture.
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507 Shakespeare Terrace, Bluff Hill, Napier | Price $999,000-plus
Property Brokers agent Kevin Wagg is selling “Sarfend”, a shining example of the distinctive Arts and Crafts style of architect William J. Rush (1872-1965). Many of his designs can be seen in Hawke’s Bay, including original buildings at Iona College, Hereworth School and Woodford House.
The interiors of Sarfend have been tastefully restored and make a lasting impression. Photo / Supplied
Built in 1910, 507 Shakespeare Terrace, is believed to be Hawke’s Bay’s reinforced concrete home. Wagg says the vendors carried out an elegant and tasteful restoration of the five-bedroom property, enhancing the original features with modern essentials. They’ve also dressed every room with a carefully curated selection of furnishings and accoutrements, which adds to the experience.
“It’s absolutely stunning, and the vendors are prepared to negotiate the furnishings with the property because they’ve got them really on point to the era,” Wagg tells OneRoof.
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11 Arthur Street, Oamaru, Otago | Enquiries over $1.7m
Solid as a rock and crafted from locally quarried Oamaru limestone around 1909-1910, this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home was seriously built to last and was designed by notable local architect J. M. Forrester.
With its ornately detailed verandahs and charming interiors, this is a highlight of the Arts and Crafts-influenced villa style. Think high ceilings, wide hallways, colourful stained glass and rich timber. Outside includes a double garage/carport and the original ballroom, complete with a traditional sprung dance floor. If the two-step and tango aren’t your thing, the world is your oyster when it comes to how to use the space.
11 Arthur Street was designed by renowned Oamaru architect J. M. Forrester. Photo / Supplied
Arizto listing agent Glenda Meek says the fact that the house is on 1.27ha adds to its unique qualities. “It’s like your own lifestyle block in an urban area. You can have your own sheep, there’s room for a pony, and there are stables,” she says.
“The craftsmanship is excellent. The people who own it have spent a lot of money maintaining it. They were in their 80s when they bought it, but they fell in love with it because it reminded them of a home they’d had in England.”
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398 Waimea West Road, Brightwater, Tasman | Price $1.395m
The Gables, a long-admired landmark in Tasman, was built by pioneer John Palmer in 1864 and originally served as a bustling Victorian hotel. The Category 1 Heritage-listed homestead has had the makeover of its life, benefitting from a five-year restoration project, with the house “completely rebuilt within its historic shell”.
The Gables is a landmark estate built in 1864 by pioneer John Palmer. Photo / Supplied
The fact that the house served as a hotel for 19th-century travellers and has ties to former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer brings a real “if these walls could talk” vibe. The property features solid oak flooring, full insulation, a chef’s kitchen and tiled bathrooms. Outside, a hedge maze adds to the whimsy and drama.
Ray White listing agent Daniel Reed tells OneRoof: “You’ve got the heritage character with all the modern conveniences. The owners have done an extraordinary job renovating the property, and it’s at a great price.”
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64 Brougham Street, Nelson South, Nelson | Offers over $3m plus GST (if any)
Nelson’s Warwick House is resplendent in Victorian Gothic detail and is the South Island’s oldest mansion. Built in 1854, and known locally as The Castle thanks to its neo-Gothic-style turret, the property was painstakingly renovated by the vendors over five years.
With 11 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, two receptions and a large ballroom, the property presents many opportunities for boutique accommodation and hosting.
Summit listing agent Jo Say tells OneRoof that this is one of New Zealand’s most significant historic houses.
Warwick House is nicknamed The Castle due to its impressive neo-Gothic-style turret. Photo / Supplied
She is well qualified to talk about the magic of heritage homes, as she’s lived in one herself for six years, in Nelson’s Fairfield House.
“You’re part of living history,” she says. “You become a custodian of a significant piece of history. You’re also living in an exquisite space.”
She says Warwick House is “in excellent condition and has been lovingly looked after. Dare I say, they knew how to build houses in the 1870s! It so important that we look after and preserve our historic buildings in New Zealand because one by one they’re getting knocked down, which is an absolute tragedy”.
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