Many owners make their mark on historic home
Reporter delves into the history of Hamilton East’s Greenslade House for our series,
This time 18 years ago, Greenslade House was discreetly up for sale.
But real estate agent Ian Grindle knew he was selling to a niche market. Neighbours tramping through for a gawk were frowned upon.
The iconic heritage symbol on Hamilton East’s riverbank was not your normal six-bedroom, two-bathroom home.
With imported St Helena roof tiles, pressed metal ceilings from Germany, French firebricks, stained glass windows and the distinctive turret, Greenslade House was an ‘‘exercise in extravagance,’’ according to Waikato Museum.
Number one Wellington St was built in 1911 by Henry Greenslade, retired farmer and MP, and designed by John W. Warren.
At the time of sale in 1999, Greenslade House had a government valuation of $850,000.
It wouldn’t be the only time
‘‘Wherever you walk, there's a light, gracious feeling.’’
Hamilton residents would read about the impending sale of the historic building.
It is recorded that, in 1970, the home was purchased, and renovated, by Tom and Shirley Muir. They sold the home in 1994 to Wayne Leach.
Speaking in 2003, Shirley said she and her husband always had an interest in old houses.
‘‘We went out of curiosity, and it was when you got inside and saw that all these old things were in fact still there.
‘‘We knew it was going to be hard work, and it was 24 years of hard work. It never stopped.’’
Kay and Alan Bradford bought Greenslade House in May 2001 for $925,000 and, in 2007, the home failed to sell at auction, despite a $1.625m bid. At the time, it had a capital valuation of $1.34m.
By 2012, Greenslade House had changed hands a few more times.
Terry and Penny Humphries had lived at the property for two years before they enlisted Bayleys to help them sell the home.
As quoted by reporter Aimie Cronin in 2012, the Humphries listed their favourite aspects of the historic building.
‘‘You get a lot of sunlight, so it’s a lovely, warm house. There’s a lovely grand stairwell and wherever you walk, there’s a light, gracious feeling. The foundations are phenomenal. The kitchen is awesome. We have our favourite morepork . . . gosh, saying all this, we won’t want to leave.’’
The couple sold the house to a Hamilton party who did not want to be named.