Step onto the sunny front veranda at 250 Kilmore Street, and you’ll instantly connect to Christchurch’s rich history. This charming little house has undergone a careful restoration, preserving its beautiful heritage character. We at House Lifters are honoured to have played a part in bringing this historic gem back to life.
A Journey Back in Time
Simone Rewa Pearson and Joe Tonner lived behind this compact old dwelling for eight years before buying it at an auction in 2016. With their Dawson Street home just over the back fence, they were determined to safeguard the charm of this 140-year-old house. Today, the detailed rebuilding and restoration of “Money House” is complete, and its historic character is being carefully preserved.
Built in 1881 by early settlers Alfred and Annie Money, the house is a testament to their legacy. Alfred, an inventor and entrepreneur, participated in local politics and owned a steamer that connected the city to New Brighton. The couple left a valuable estate that benefited many worthy charities. Over the years, various city workers called this place home, including a lamplighter, telegrapher, plumber, compositor, coal merchant, and firefighter. Their stories live in the house, now open to guests as a gracious five-star short-stay accommodation.
Celebrating Heritage with Modern Comfort
Simone and Joe focused on celebrating and enhancing the home’s unique character. From high ceilings and picture rails to double-hung sash windows and timber floors, every detail looks as it did in the past. Now, the house meets modern standards and is set to stand strong for another 140 years.
Our team at House Lifters played a crucial role in this transformation. We provided lifting and levelling services, ensuring the house was future-proofed and stable and fixing earthquake-damaged foundations involved rolling the house back 13 meters while new screw pile foundations were installed. Once completed, the house was moved one meter sideways to create a wider driveway, sitting much higher than before.
Our Role –
The team at House Lifters utilised advanced techniques and technologies to ensure the success of this restoration. Our approach included hydraulic lifting systems for precise elevation, laser levelling for accuracy, and the installation of modern screw pile foundations to replace earthquake-damaged ones. One of the significant challenges we faced was manoeuvring the house 13 meters backward to facilitate the foundation work, followed by a careful sideways shift of one metre to create a wider driveway. Despite these complexities, our seasoned team overcame each hurdle with expertise and precision, ensuring the house’s stability and longevity.
A Collaborative Restoration Effort
The restoration project involved experienced professionals like project manager Dave Norriss, architect William Fulton, and builder Ross Bailey. Ross said, “It’s not very often that you get to engage with a project like this involving many different specialist operators. It’s a privilege to work in a home with such history.”
The funding from the Crown’s On-Sold scheme, administered by EQC, played a key role in making this possible. The cheerful house painted deep red (Resene Aroha) with a blue front door is now a real landmark, welcoming visitors to its pretty garden and restored charm.
Modern Living with Heritage Touches
The house offers modern living while retaining original features like kauri doors and restored lattice work along the veranda. We added an ensuite and moved the kitchen to the heart of the home.. New double-hung, double-glazed sash windows, heritage-style architraves, door frames, picture rails, and gorgeous new blackwood flooring showcase craft detail.
Secure Your Legacy with Heritage Restoration
Today, 250 Kilmore Street stands as a colourful sentry, guarding the memories of the people who built this city. Across the road are new apartments and townhouses, but this little home serves as a treasured reminder of Christchurch’s rich heritage.
We at House Lifters are proud to have helped preserve this history. Our efforts, along with others, ensured that this charming house will continue to stand for many years, offering a glimpse into the past while providing modern comfort. Visit us at House Lifters to learn more about our services and how we can help you preserve your history.