After three years of painstaking work restoring a dilapidated homestead in Marton, Rangitikei, into the magnificent country residence it was built to be, former All Black and long-time David Bain advocate Joe Karam is preparing for his next building project.
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Originally home to founding father and three-time mayor of Marton, Reginald Beckett, the manor at 537 Wellington Road was built in 1884. It sits pride of place amidst 8.5 tranquil acres of landscaped gardens and lawn, a meandering stream and farmland and is now up for sale.
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When Karam and partner Lisa purchased the five-living, six-bedroom property at in May 2017, the home was structurally sound but superficially it was falling apart. The pair saw great potential to restore the home to its former glory.
The living room with its grand fireplace. Photo / Supplied
“Lisa and I have both owned heritage houses in the past so we have a real passion for them,” says Karam. “We’ve worked hard to create a home that looks like it could have stepped straight out of the 1800s.”
When the pair lifted the old carpet, they discovered beautiful matai flooring in perfect condition throughout the house. Original rimu panelling has been retained, along with some of the original tongue and groove sarking on the walls.
Karam's hall of fame: the room dedicated to Karam's rugby past. Photo / Supplied
Seven original (and still operational) fireplaces stand where they were first built, while stain-glassed and leadlight windows have been painstakingly restored. The inglenook with its enormous fireplace and rich timber panelling and 14-foot stud is one of the pair’s favourite spots in the house.
“We spent a lot of time here in the evenings and over winter. It’s the perfect place to unwind with a good glass of pinot noir.”
The stain-glassed and leadlight windows are a highlight. Photo / Supplied
One of the five living spaces pays tribute to the ex-All Black’s sporting endeavours, featuring team photos, jerseys and other memorabilia on the walls. Another is a conservatory with restored lead-light windows that looks out across the expanse of lawn. A third is a library and Karam’s home office, complete with built-in timber bookshelves and enormous heritage desk.
Karam's office and library. Photo / Supplied
Harcourts agent Jacqui Campion, who is marketing the home, says the scale of the property gives its new owners plenty of scope. She is bringing it to sale by deadline treaty, closing November 17.
“This idyllic property is the perfect family home as it is, but it could easily be adapted to suit a variety of schemes,” says Campion. “It could be a beautiful wedding and function venue or a boutique accommodation destination. There’s plenty of room for professionals and artists to work from home. There’s even enough space for horses and sheep or horticultural endeavours like an olive grove or vineyard.”
The white colour-scheme in the bedrooms is refreshing. Photo / Supplied
After three years of hard work, Joe and Lisa are looking forward to a break.
“Lisa used to spend a lot of time on Kawau Island at her grandparents’ place and we’re lucky enough to have a small place up there,” says Joe. “When we sell here, we will relocate to Kawau to catch a lot of snapper, do a bit of walking, and put our feet up before we decide what the next project is.
“We have spent many, many hours sanding, stripping and cleaning. We love this home and have a great sense of pride to have brought it back to life. Unlike many houses being built today, this will still be sitting here proudly in another 100 years’ time. We’re very proud of what we’ve done, but it’s time for someone else to take it to the next level.”
