Historic mansion leaves town
A 106-year-old piece of Palmerston North history is getting moved for the second time in its life – this time to Auckland.
Bulls-based company Central House Movers began preparing the house for its 505-kilometre journey this week.
Owner Hayley Parsons said she and her husband, New Zealand Army deputy chief Brigadier Chris Parsons, were looking forward to getting started on Huntley House’s restoration once it arrives at its new site.
‘‘It’s a hive of activity around there at the moment. We’re very excited and a little anxious too.’’
Huntly House was built in 1911 by Charles Blackbourn, the architect responsible for many of Palmerston North’s historic buildings.
The Parsons bought the villa for $298,000 in August. The couple were looking for a project for their Clarks Beach section when they found Huntly House and thought its colonial style would be perfect.
The restoration and relocation project quickly piqued national interest, including inquiries from TV3 show Grand Designs.
Central House Movers director Mike O’bryne said Huntley House is being broken into five parts – two will be heading to Auckland on Wednesday night and the rest is expected to follow on Sunday night.
‘‘Then it’ll be another week, week and a half, while we put it together in Auckland.’’
Parson’s said the previous Huntly House owner Gerald Borgonje came to have a look around the villa the week before it was prepared for its journey.
‘‘It’s been lovely to be able to include him in the process.’’
Borgonje, and his wife Gerda, owned the mansion during its previous move from the original Featherston St site to James Line in the 1980s.
Parsons said he’d consulted with O’bryne on how to dismantle the mansion for transport during his visit.
As the toured the villa, Borgonje pointed out were they’d cut through the house in the 1980s.