A beautifully detailed heritage school in rural Canterbury might be the perfect escape for anyone looking for a project while on self-isolation regime.
Darfield Property Brokers agents of Gareth Cox and Jannetta Thomas are marketing the well-known local landmark property on Whitecliffs Rd, about 15 minutes out of Darfield by deadline sale. They say the owners are looking for offers over $282,000 (plus GST).
While the nearly 160-year old property has a category 2 heritage listing there are nearly 5800 sq m of land on four titles which the agents say has masses of potential for development.
The school was the brainchild of a Scottish builder in the area didn’t want his kids to commute to school in Glentunnel , so built a new school closer to home in 1883.
Start your property search
The building was operating as a school until 1963. Photo/ Supplied.
It operated as the Malvern School was 1963 and was used part-time as an off-site location for some classes from the local intermediate school.
In more recent years the building was less occupied but still had an educational connection and was is used as a school camp site.
“It’s been well-used, well-received and well-loved in its time,” Thomas says.
The Category 2 heritage listing protects the building from demolition and major alterations.
“Everybody knows the school who lives out here and that’s why it’s protected,” she says.
The old school has a spacious kitchen in the building and toilets outdoors. Photo/ Supplied.
The building has a large main classroom with tall ceilings and a kitchen with two stoves and plenty of meal preparation space.
It also has a separate toilet building with accesses from two sides for girls and boys.
The new owners will have many land development options and build around the school, Thomas says.
“I would see people turning it into a dwelling or building on the land and using the school building as an area for games or family to get together - that type of thing,” she adds.
The property is only a 15-minute drive from Darfield and 40 minutes to Rolleston, which has more amenities and facilities.
Check out the listing below:
