Property Description

Please note, this property is being sold As-is, Where-is.

Owning one of Akaroa's historic houses comes with a price tag that few can afford. However, a rare opportunity to purchase one at a more affordable price has now been made available, with the current owners of No. 11 Rue Balguerie putting this tired old beauty on the market.

At present, the property is administered by the Corboy House Trust, a hat tip to the well-known Akaroa family who lived there. David Corboy (brother of John Corboy, owner of the Four Square in the 1970s and 1980s), was a journalist at the Christchurch Press.

The house dates back to the late 1860's or early 1870s, but little is known about the original owners. An 1852 map of Akaroa shows virtually the whole valley owned by the local magistrate, John Watson, who built his Mt Leinster property further up the valley. Subdivision of Balguerie Road, as it was known at the time, began in the late 1860s and 1870s.

The house has a Christchurch City Council heritage listing and, while well overdue for maintenance, has solid bones, possibly of locally milled Totara. Mary Haley, chairperson of the Akaroa Civic Trust, and whose Great, Great, Great Grandfather Etienne Le Lievre sold the land to John Watson, says it is really important that the house is not lost.

"The vast majority of historic buildings in Akaroa are beautifully maintained by their owners, often at considerable personal cost, and this creates significant value for our town as a tourist destination. There are, however, a few buildings that for one reason or another are not in good condition, and the Civic Trust would like to see these buildings restored to their former glory."

This is your opportunity, buyers. They do not come along every day and so we anticipate interest to be high.

Contact Jackie today for further information and to arrange a viewing.

The property will be sold As-is, Where-is at Auction on 2nd July (if not sold prior).

Agents note: as with all our listings, we are happy to work in with all real estate brands and agents. You are welcome to bring your buyers through our opens.

Please be aware that this information may have been sourced from REINZ/Property Smarts/Land Information New Zealand/ The relevant local authority/CERA and we have not been able to verify the accuracy of the same.