Potential on Parliament Street
TENDERS close on Wednesday March 6 for an extraordinary chance to renovate a historic Thorndon residence on an unusually large section in a prime ministerial location.
Matairoa, at 12A Parliament St, combines a largely original threebedroom house that dates to the late 1800s with a self-contained two-bedroom annex.
They share an entry foyer and have a total floor area of 340 square metres on a 1331 square metre section (in two titles) with a flat lawn, native trees, a doublegarage and off-street parking for several cars.
The elevated property has views of the city, harbour and Seddon Memorial, and is up a private drive that’s on a separate title.
‘‘This is an incredible opportunity to buy a historically significant residence in the heart of the city virtually overlooking Parliament,’’ says Everard Aspell of Ray White, who’s marketing the property with Katie Underwood.
Built of Baltic pine, the house has a spacious reception area and French doors that open into the formal living room.
It has a fireplace and a northfacing veranda, and adjoins an informal parlour that’s next to the dining room.
The functional kitchen includes an electric range and ample cupboard space, the laundry is separate and the bathroom has a deep bath, shower cabinet, vanity and toilet.
There’s also a study plus another toilet upstairs in the bedroom wing.
The spacious main bedroom looks across the city to the harbour and eastern hills, and has a large dressing room with adjacent storage.
Another double-bedroom has a chapel ceiling with exposed rafters, and built-in drawers, wardrobe and storage, while the third bedroom is a single.
The apartment has a large living/dining room with city and harbour views and a tiled gas fireplace with a native timber surround and storage above.
The remodelled kitchen includes an electric range with gas hobs, a rangehood, a walk-in pantry and stainless steel benchtops.
There’s also a downstairs toilet. Upstairs, the main bedroom has built-in Georgian-style cabinetry and lovely views while the second double-bedroom is positioned for afternoon sun.
The bathroom has a showerover-bath, handbasin and toilet.
The grounds include a sheltered, sunny, rear garden (with three karaka and two pohutukawa trees), a courtyard and an elevated,
north-facing lawn with views.
‘‘It’s exceptionally rare to find a historic home of this scale on such a large section so close to Parliament and the CBD,’’ Underwood says.
‘‘It’s in need of someone to love and care about but is a fantastic opportunity to create a substantial family home or embassy residence, or to capitalise on for home-andincome or extended families.’’