Exclusive 1870 Victorian Bed and Breakfast in Napier, New Zealand| Property Group | Commercial | | Property Type | Hotel or Resort | | Built | 1870 | | Price | NZ$ 1,850,000
For Sale |
| | Location | Napier | | Nearest City | Napier |
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REF: Hewitt-NP-1012
Every New Zealand District has a residences that stand out from the rest; homes distinguished perhaps for their special architectural merit, historical background, location, etc, etc. We have the privilege of offering for sale one of Napier’s and Hawkes Bay’s distinguished landmark homes, distinguished for all of these reasons and more besides.
In 1870, Nathaniel Kettle (soon to become a household name in the East Coast of New Zealand through Williams and Kettles Ltd, Hawkes Bay’s earliest Stock and Station Agents) ordered construction of a residence at Cobden Road on Napier Hill. From the wide choice available at that time Kettle chose a wonderful hill top site with panoramic vistas and sun from the morning sun rise over the Pacific Ocean, through to its setting over the western Kaweka Mountain Ranges. A substantial 550m² villa was constructed using New Zealand’s best native timbers and materials available. In briefing his architect Kettle must have placed considerable emphasis on designing a home to fully exploit the wonderful site and this it does superbly; through huge but elegantly proportioned and framed picture windows, but especially from the two large conservatories sited to enjoy day long sun and the best of the marvellous panoramic vistas.
While mid Victorian in period, the villa design has avoided clutter and over ornate Victorian detail common to this period, as a result the house is notable for elegant clean lines and beautifully proportioned verandas and rooms. It demonstrates the recognisable best aspects of colonial, Victorian and even glimpses of early art deco architecture. Most importantly, this is a home of considerable style, character and charm.
In 1931 much of Napier City was destroyed by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake. While this solid old wooden home suffered little damage, the city and surrounds required substantial reconstruction and a great many city buildings were constructed in the classic art deco style popular at that time. The creation of so many art deco buildings at one time in one small city, many of considerable architectural merit, created a unique situation and today Napier is much visited and admired as the “art deco capital of the world”. Original fixtures and fittings through Cobden Villa suggest that past owners of Cobden Villa were influenced by this art deco culture.
In 2000 the property was acquired by a visiting American couple who fell in love the charming old home which has subsequently been completely renovated and modernized to a standard which needs viewing first hand to be fully appreciated. As a result Cobden Villa has in recent years become one of the most written about or filmed homes in New Zealand. It operates as Napier’s most exclusive and luxurious bed and breakfast accommodation. Surly Nathaniel Kettle would have approved!
In choosing a décor the owners were inspired by the glamour and artistic style of the 1930’s, the height of the art deco period. Their superb renovation of the villa is complemented by meticulous attention to detail including decorative painting, fittings, original and custom crafted joinery, and authentic period antique furniture collected from many sources, of the highest quality.
There are four substantial individually decorated and named guest bedrooms. Three have modern ensuite bathrooms and the fourth access to a separate private bathroom. A feature of the king size “Ciparus” bedroom is a deluxe Jacuzzi spa bath as well as a double shower and steam room. Guests have use of an impressive large formal living room with high panelled ceiling, and northerly views through bay windows framed with original lead light and stained glass. There is a choice of two beautifully furnished conservatories with their wonderful and varied vistas. The light and spacious breakfast dining room is a feature in its own right; opening directly onto a wide veranda through large double glass framed pocket doors. Guests have the use of a spacious multi cabinet laundry and wash room which also contains a fridge and freezer and may also relax in the villa’s extensive gardens which landscaped in English tradition with over 130 roses as well as palms, flowering shrubs and trees.
The resident family-owners have their own quite enormous open plan living room and kitchens designed to easily cater for a full house of guests. The kitchen area is based around a large central island with substantial bench space and an industrial sized double oven with gas hob and range hood. Other chattels include double size fridge and freezer, double draw dish washer, microwave and an espresso machine.
The owners have two bedrooms; the master bedroom has two walk in wardrobes and its own deck with sea views. The large modern bathroom has a double spa bath as well as shower. Downstairs with private access is a further family room with its own kitchenette and toilet. This area of the home could easily become a self contained flat. Under the house are two lockup workshops (one with a toilet and hot water sink) and two storage areas. The owners share a lockup garage and a car port. There is a substantial dedicated parking area for guests.
Cobden Villa has deservedly earned an enviable niche at the very top end of the Napier and Hawkes Bay accommodation market. It represents a successful and profitable business with good occupancy and long term forward bookings, together with a substantial lifestyle element for the owners. The owners were awarded a Hawkes Bay Business Award in 2005 and in 2004 the Art Deco Supreme Award. Alternately Cobden Villa could again become one of the Districts notable private residences.
The property is offered as a going concern with all relevant chattels, catering equipment, linen, furniture and fittings, including a superb inventory of art deco and Victorian era antique furniture.
Location
District: Napier
Nearest Town: Napier
Nearest City: Napier
School Access
Primary Schooling: Napier or Westshore
Intermediate Schooling: Napier or Westshore
Secondary Schooling: Napier
Water: Town water supply
Homestead
General: 1870 villa renovated and modernised in 2001.
Size: 559 m2
Ext. Construction: Weather board
Int. Construction: Modern Gyb and New Zealand native timbers
Roof: Iron
Joinery: Original native timber
Heating: Electric heating
Chattels: Full inventory available on request
| | For further details contact
Listing Agent
Worldwide Network
United States
Phone: 1-518-392-7062
Fax: 1-877-875-5704 |
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