It was once part of a 16,187 hectare (40,000 acre) run, one of the biggest in early Canterbury, but now the historic Canterbury homestead on Racecourse Hill sits on a more modest 96 acres.
Built in an area renowned for its grandeur, the 743 square metre homestead was designed by well-known architect Cecil Wood in English Domestic Revival with ground floor brick and a wooden second storey.
Racecourse Hill, at 30 metres the dominant feature in the property's otherwise flat landscape, is thought to have been formed as a result of seismic activity.
Current owners Brian and Bernice Cribbs bought it after it was badly damaged in the 2010 earthquakes. The couple spent two years and $3 million restoring it.
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The property has another three bedroom cottage, that Bayleys Christchurch agent Ben Turner says has opened it up for a number of business ventures with income.
It is being marketed for sale by private treaty closing on November 19.
Six of its chimneys collapsed through the roof and the double-brick lower exterior was destroyed. The house was gutted and stripped to its rimu frame, the exterior rebuilt behind a new brick veneer and heritage detailing repaired or replaced, with existing materials being reused. Not surprisingly, the restoration won the Canterbury Heritage Awards 2016 and the Registered Master Builders Renovation of the Year Supreme Award in the same year.
It now has nine bedrooms, five bathrooms, both a family and a commercial kitchen, formal dining room, sitting room and billiards room with original rimu and kauri timbers retained throughout.
Beneath the character features are modern features such as five log burners, internally ducted heat pumps and underfloor heating, The commercially rated fire system ensures accommodation options for a business are easily available.
The house is complemented by a sheltered outdoor entertaining area, in-ground heated swimming pool and grass tennis court while the decommissioned Coalgate Catholic Church was shifted to the homestead's garden by previous owners.
The restoration extended to the grounds, where arborists improved the many oak trees and a water feature with night lights was added at the front of the house.
Turner said the property could be used for upmarket accommodation or an exclusive boutique hotel and with a chapel could also be suitable for weddings. Two modern kitchens in the refurbished homestead can easily be used to cater for any size function.
“A new owner could use the property's history as a draw card for tourism adventures in the mountains, foothills and nearby river,” he said.
He points out that there is a full-sized dressage arena, numerous outbuildings and a stable complex offering fully serviced accommodation, for a possible equestrian business.
“Most of the additional land is leased for grazing and the owners will consider boundary adjustments to the existing titles giving various sale options,” Mr Turner said.
Racecourse Hill is just 40 minutes from Christchurch airport, 35 minutes to the city and 10 minutes to Darfield township.
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