Tenants wanted for historic home

Looking for a new rental? How about a 130-year-old Victorian home?

If you have a thing for cast iron fireplaces and settler’s gardens – and don’t mind a council landlord – Wellington’s historic Halfway House might be just the place for you.

Built in 1885 and set on the Glenside Reserve, the property is owned by Wellington City Council, which is looking for a new tenant.

Ideally the home would be used for a commercial operation or a community service but residential options weren’t off the table, a council spokeswoman said.

There is a catch: the tenant will have to share the house: two downstairs community rooms and toilets will be used weekly and the entire house needs to be available once or twice a year.

Up for lease are the downstairs kitchen, dining and living room while the upstairs boasts four double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Built by Alexander and Margaret Brown, the property got its name due to its location on the main route between Wellington and Porirua.

It was used as a stopping point for travellers, sits on public land and is an example of the style used in the early period of European settlement in New Zealand.

The council bought the house and land in 1951 then leased the house until about 1997.

They tried to sell it in 2003 but local residents fought the decision and persuaded the council to redevelop it.

Left to deteriorate, renovations began in 2012 and included new piles, a new roof and replaced weatherboards.

The Glenside Progressive Association had championed the house’s restoration since 2001, president Claire Bibby said.

‘‘We’re really pleased that after all this time it has finally come to fruition.’’

She particularly loved the Victorian farm garden a group of volunteers had created, using plants that would have been available before 1900.

‘‘It gives a real sense of the scent and touch and look they would have had back then.

‘‘We even had a typical colonial experience of dealing with the pukekos who kept trying to pull them out.’’

Halfway House had an open day on Sunday as part of Wellington City Heritage Week, so the public could experience the history and cultural heritage of the site.

For information about the tender, visit wellington.govt.nz/ halfwayhouse.