The “groovy” home of Christchurch movie icons Lang and Maureen Masters is heading to auction this week.
The three-bedroom deceased estate is a testament to the couple’s love of cinema and is full of quirky design touches and features, including an 18-seat movie theatre.
The Masters were legendary figures in Christchurch cinema, operating the city’s oldest and best-known movie theatre, the Hollywood, in Sumner, for almost 60 years.
Maureen died in 2020, a year before Lang sold the Hollywood. Lang himself passed away a year ago, with the couple’s home at 1/35 Scarborough Road, in Scarborough, now on the market for sale.
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Listing agent Alison Aitken, from Harcourts, told OneRoof the property was full of personality and character. “When I first walked in I went, ‘Oh my God, this is cool’,” she said.
Aitken said the couple’s beloved 1970s furniture had been used for staging, bringing a “nice vibe”.
The home, which has an RV of just under $2 million, hasn’t changed much since it was built, although the Masters did remove a spiral staircase after Maureen’s mobility became an issue.
Aitken said the house was an opportunity to get into a desirable and expensive suburb at an affordable price. “It’s entry-level for that part of Scarborough, which has seen some big sales [in recent months]. It’s also an opportunity for someone to put their mark on the home.”
The house has an 18-seat movie theatre. Photo / Supplied
The period decor adds to the overall vibe of the house. Photo / Supplied
She said the house enjoyed great views “because you’re looking right down to Sumner, right down to the village, right down to the beach, and you’re also looking out at Kaikōura, and then over to the Port Hills to your left”.
“Up in that part [of Scarborough], you’ll get the sun to the very end. It’s just a special location.”
She said the private cinema – blazoned with posters of the Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean movie series – had been a hit with buyers who turned up at the open homes. Some people had even turned up to relive old memories, telling the agent that they used “to come here and watch movies”.
The outdoor pool has been popular with buyers at the open homes. Photo / Supplied
Another popular feature is the large outdoor swimming pool. “There are not many houses on small sections with swimming pools,” Aitken said, noting that the house also has “really cool timber ceilings in the downstairs living area”.
She added: “Some people will want to make major changes [to the house]; others may be happy to keep some of it. Most people will want to do some updating. I would keep the bar, and the theatre, because it’s unique.”
Aitken said couples and families had shown interest in the home. “There’s been a couple of families who’ve looked at it, but we’ve had lots of couples look at it too. I think lots of people see the potential.”
- 1/35 Scarborough Road, in Scarborough, Christchurch, goes to auction on August 22
