A builder who saved his family home from demolition after the Christchurch earthquakes has put it on the market for sale, but it’s not a decision he’s made lightly.
Known to locals as the “Stone House”, 196 Keyes Road, in North New Brighton, is a familiar sight to members of Rawhiti Golf Course.
The property has sat on the edge of the course for more than 50 years.
Gareth Cook’s late father Cam purchased the plot in the late 1960s and spent the following 10 years building his dream family home in his spare time.
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Cam was inspired by his upbringing in rural Australia, where communities built homes using the natural materials around them.
For his own build, he sourced from Halswell Quarry the stones usually reserved for churches and public buildings. Inside, he used large wooden beams and created a rimu-lined cathedral-type ceiling.
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Cook told OneRoof he was around four years old when his father started the build. He recalled following him around with a mini-wheelbarrow. “Most of my childhood memories are of dad working on the house. It was a labour of love for him.”
The house was damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and Cook’s mum moved out and into a new home. “The insurance company took a long time to settle because it was such a complex house. It kind of went into their ‘too-hard basket’.”
Cook said his mum did not want the house bowled and replaced with units, so he stepped in to help. “I said to mum, ‘I’m pretty sure I can save this’.”
The build used natural materials such as rimu for the ceilings and stone from the Halswell Quarry. Photo / Supplied
The owner carried out a full renovation on the home, which included a new kitchen with a stone benchtop and walk-in pantry. Photo / Supplied
Cook and his wife Annette purchased the home from her in 2019 and he used his expertise and contacts to re-level and repair the home.
The couple then moved into the property and carried out a full renovation, adding a new kitchen with a stone bench top, a walk-in pantry, and a second bathroom.
They had planned to make it their own forever home so no expense was spared. “We did the extra things you would do to a home. It wasn’t a quick tick and flick.”
However, the couple’s children have now left home and they have decided to sell, albeit reluctantly.
Cook said the home was dear to him and he hoped a new family would enjoy it as much as his family had.
“Whoever takes it over is going to get something special not just another suburban house.”
The property also has one of New Brighton’s original artesian wells. Photo / Supplied
Yet another point of difference for the home is an original artesian well dating back to when the area was a beach town filled with baches and people didn’t have access to the town water supply. The crystal-clear water from the well is accessed by a pipe with a tap in the backyard.
Ray White listing agent Holly Jones said the property had been attracting plenty of interest locally because it was such an iconic house. “There’s no home like it in the area,” she said.
The first open home had close to 70 people through its doors including a good mix of curious neighbours and genuine buyers looking to upsize and wanting something architectural.
“It suits both lifestyle lovers because it’s right opposite the golf course plus you are so close to the beach, also professionals and families. It’s been popular.”
- 196 Keyes Road, in New Brighton, Christchurch, goes to auction on October 24
