Historic character is breathtaking
ARESPLENDENTLY RESTORED colonial home in the heart of the Wairarapa is for sale by negotiation.
Carrington House, at 285 High St North, is an 811-square-metre character homestead that’s been owned by only two families since it was built in 1874 for William Booth.
As historic as it is picturesque, the majestic property is in three titles, with the homestead occupying a 5.0240ha oasis of park-like grounds.
The NZ Gardens Trust has deemed it a Garden of Significance because of its sequoias, birches, elms, rhododendrons, camellias, Red Robins, bluebell wood and an arboretum that was planted in 1990 with selected English trees and 20,000 daffodils.
Some of the trees date to when landscape gardener Alfred Buxton developed the English-style woodland in 1912 while the rocklined lake is a magnet for migrant ducks.
The homestead site also includes horse stables from the 1890s, a modern, multi-purpose six-car garage and a one-bedroom cottage.
A second, renovated 1880s cottage with two bedrooms is on a separate 1660sqm title and there’s also 1.7815ha of farmland.
Built of totara, rimu and matai, the imposing homestead took 16 master craftsmen three years to restore and stands out for its breathtaking character, superbly proportioned rooms, and antique chattels, including a Steinway Concert grand piano and a heart mahogany dining table that seats up to 22 people.
The leadlight front door opens off a portico into a commanding entrance hall with exposed native timber beams and a double-width staircase with a feature leadlight.
The ground floor comprises a drawing room, formal dining room with an adjacent powder room and butler’s pantry, family room with French doors to a large deck and barbecue patio, formal study and eat-in kitchen with a walk-in pantry, modern appliances and a Rayburn stove that supplements heating from the open fireplaces, water radiators and heat pumps.
The large double bedrooms are upstairs. Each has an ensuite and opens to wrap-around verandas with views of the Tararua Range.
Also on the upper level are a library and lounge big enough to swallow a full-size billiard table.
‘‘This elegant and gracious property offers an exclusive, secluded lifestyle little more than hour’s drive from central Wellington,’’ says Mike Bain, of Clark & Co Realty.
‘‘We expect the three titles to be bought together because this is such a unique opportunity to own one of the finest, private heritage residences in New Zealand.’’