83 Clyde Road, Ilam, Canterbury 8041

19 Sept 2018 marked the 125th anniversary of New Zealand granting women the right to vote, becoming the first independent country to do so. The movement for female suffrage was led by Kate Sheppard and the base from which she co-ordinated the operation was her home on Clyde Road in Christchurch. Surrounded by a magnificent garden, lovingly created by the present owner, the well-proportioned single story villa presents a striking vista that would still be instantly recognisable to its original owner, but this is much more than a lovely character home.
Under the stewardship of the current owner this important Heritage listed home has been transformed into a show place that few private residences can match. Alterations have been made to make it fit for 21st century living, but all fully complementing the original form and character, so that this home can still be appreciated as the home where Kate Sheppard lived and associated with the major players in the campaign that led to women's rights.
The symmetrically planned kauri villa, is constructed in typical style for the late 1880's with weatherboard cladding and a slate roof, punctuated by two brick chimneys, outlet for one of the last permitted open fires in the city. The eight room house has a 3.6 metre stud (12 feet in Sheppard's day) with public rooms opening from a wide central hallway. The doors to these rooms have been removed to allow them to be used as an elegant open-plan space, perfect for entertaining, a frequent pastime with many charity and fund raising events being hosted here.
Keen to allow the home's architecture to speak without losing the character, the present owner enlisted the help of architects Warren and Mahoney to add more modern family living with a practical flowing layout. The result was a new kitchen, with dining & a modern living area, and as a bonus, when vinyl was lifted, beautiful kauri floorboards were exposed which are showcased today. A third north-facing lounge opens to a sheltered deck, perfect for relaxing overlooking the garden or reading.
The tennis court may have been a croquet lawn in Kate's residence, but today has been the site of frequent events, weddings and galas, offering ample space to house a large marquee. A swimming pool in the north-west corner of the garden has attractively planted environs so that its presence is not a dominating one.
It is impossible to overstate the serene beauty of this remarkable residence, or its inestimable place in New Zealand's history. The large section so close to the central city is astonishing in today's world and the peaceful relaxation of the tranquil setting harks back to earlier days. Impeccable school zoning allows for enrolment in nearby Christchurch Boys High and Christchurch Girls High, while Medbury School is only 200 metres away. The possibilities here are boundless, but reserved for one very lucky buyer. Whether a growing family seeking one of the finest homes in the city with an unmatched historical pedigree, an entrepreneur seeking a superior venue or boutique accommodation, or an organisation which values the historic significance of this unique property, we anticipate serious interest both from residents of Canterbury and far beyond, and so would recommend early action from genuine buyers. Property ID: #IM51684