Originally crafted in 1893, this landmark Te Awamutu villa at 288 College Street has been meticulously and respectfully restored to its former glory.
With its feature finials, vibrant stained glass and whimsical turret, the 360sqm residence is not only a historical icon, but a wonderfully spacious family home. Its immense historical significance and undeniable beauty make it an incredibly rare and very special property in the area.
“There’s nothing like it in Te Awamutu and arguably there’s nothing like it in the wider Waikato,” says listing agent Sarah Adams, from Bayleys.
The owners, John and Francie, have lived here for 43 years and have taken their role as its current custodians seriously. When they arrived it was in a state of relative disrepair but they immediately recognised the property’s heritage beauty and extraordinary craftsmanship, so embarked on a refurbishment project, refreshing and reinvigorating it room by room.
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“Our plan was to restore the home’s original condition but modernise where we could without compromising the original features,” says John.
In fact, it’s evident that most of the previous owners, of which there are believed to be only four, had also taken great care to preserve these extraordinary features over their tenures, as many were surprisingly still intact.
The heart totara home was also clearly crafted with high-quality materials at the outset, which have marvellously endured the test of time.
288 College Street in Te Awamutu, Waipa, is on the market for sale by tender closing March 14. The five-bedroom, two-bathroom property has a 022 RV of $1.39 million.
A series of formal and informal living and dining rooms, and light-filled bedrooms provide abundant space for family life and entertaining. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Sarah Adams says: “There’s nothing like it in Te Awamutu and arguably there’s nothing like it in the wider Waikato.” Photo / Supplied
John has extensively researched the property’s history.
“The earliest record I can find is a Crown grant on the 16th November 1867 of 400 acres to Edward Waddington, surgeon of the second regiment of the Waikato Militia. Then somehow the land was transferred to a Dudley Bockett, who, I understand, built the house in about 1893.”
The property then changed hands in 1904 and again in 1920, when it was run as a maternity hospital for around five years. In 1925 it was sold to Mrs. Gladys Kate Burchell – the Burchells were a very prominent Te Awamutu family – then was eventually passed down to her daughter Tui Burchell, whom John and Francie purchased it from in 1981.
“Apart from the front veranda being closed in with fibrelite as a sunroom, the house was very much what it was when it was originally built. Some old photos that we saw showed the house with the Burchells enjoying it with their children, which indicated to us it would be a wonderful family home,” says John.
A stained glass skylight, high ceilings, intricately carved alcoves and the staircase’s gracious kauri newel post create a special ambiance and introduction in the entry foyer. From here, a series of formal and informal living and dining rooms and light-filled bedrooms provide abundant space for family life and entertaining.
“We find the house very private and spacious and the main veranda takes advantage of both the summer and winter sun. The turret is beautiful and warm and a great escape,” says John.
Although the residence is aesthetically historical, its contemporary enhancements have incorporated central heating, a wood burner, gas heating, a new roof, insulation, a covered access garage and an updated kitchen, which flows out to the sun-drenched paved terrace and park-like grounds.
288 College Street, in Te Awamutu, is understood to have been built about 1893 and was once owned by the Burchells, a prominent local family. Photo / Supplied
The current owners bought the villa 43 years ago and have taken their role as its custodians seriously by refurbishing and refreshing the home. Photo / Supplied
Developing the 3081sqm land was a challenge as it was very overgrown when the family arrived.
“Clearing the vegetation was a real labour of love – it took something like 32 tandem trailer loads to the local dump. We even uncovered a chicken coop that we didn’t even know was there,” says John.
There is space for a pool amongst the sweeping lawns and beautifully landscaped, established gardens, and the clay tennis court has been a family focal point.
“We used the court a lot – our children and us not only play tennis, but we also used it for cricket and basketball.”
Additionally, the neighbouring section of 1100sqm is also available for purchase, together or separately, which offers exciting potential and future peace of mind for prospective buyers.
Te Awamutu’s vibrant, family-friendly township is just a 30-minute drive from Hamilton city and 20 minutes from Cambridge. It offers good schooling options for all age groups, boutique shopping and all major amenities.
“It has been a wonderful home for our family but now our children know that it is time to sell. We have had weddings, 21st birthdays parties, christenings and, sadly, even a funeral here,” says John.
Agent Sarah adds: “The fact that it was built in 1893 and, we think, only having four owners, has created a really sympathetic and cohesive renovation style. It was designed to be beautiful from the start by someone who clearly had some wealth and all of those gorgeous features have been retained.
“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s a home that when you get there you can instantly envisage hosting family Christmas and watching your kids grow up there.”
- Sponsored by Bayleys
