A meticulously restored Victorian mansion in central Christchurch is for sale, presenting an opportunity for boutique accommodation operators or owner-occupiers seeking a prestigious historic property.
Previously operating as Eliza’s Manor luxury hotel and restaurant, 82 Bealey Avenue was built in 1861 by Canterbury Provincial Councillor Charles Wyatt and features ornate interiors, a Category 2 conservation listing, and 875sq m of living space on 1,800sq m of land.
The property is being sold by Brooksfield, a Christchurch-based residential developer known for building heritage-style homes. The company purchased the mansion in recent years and configured the mansion as its commercial offices.
With new company headquarters under construction, the building is now surplus to Brooksfield’s requirements.
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Marketed by Courtney Doig, Director of Investment Sales at Colliers Christchurch, the 30-room timber homestead near Durham Street has undergone numerous upgrades throughout its history and has impressive street appeal.
The heritage-protected building is the only survivor of several grand Victorian homes that once stood in the neighbourhood.
It was lovingly restored after the Canterbury earthquakes, with the extensive renovations including structural strengthening, rewiring, roof repairs, and facade restoration.
Most recently the grand manor’s exterior was repainted in authentic period colours inspired by the historic Riccarton House at nearby Dean’s Bush and substantial landscaping improvements were made.
“The improvements have dramatically enhanced the visual impact of the property,” Doig says.
The timing could be ideal for a character property investor to take the opportunity to return the mansion to use as accommodation.
“The accommodation market is experiencing a strong recovery.
“We’re seeing international visitor arrivals climb back toward pre-Covid levels, and that’s translated into much stronger investor confidence.
“Occupancy rates across the sector are holding steady with healthy advance bookings. Combined with lower interest rates, there’s growing interest in acquiring accommodation properties to benefit from the return of both international and domestic tourism.”
Over its 165-year history, the building has served as a children’s home, school boarding house, maternity hospital, restaurant, and function venue before becoming boutique accommodation.
Potential uses include conversion back to boutique hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation, an executive residence, or continued commercial office use, subject to appropriate consents and respect for the heritage listing requirements.
The property is for sale by deadline private treaty closing at 4pm on 12 March, unless sold prior.
- Supplied by Colliers
