One of Taranaki’s most recognisable heritage houses has been picked up by a family with one of the province’s most recognised names.
The Carrington family bought New Plymouth’s historic Burgess House from the New Plymouth District Council in August last year.
On the weekend the building was shifted from its Junction Rd (State Highway 3) site to a new spot behind Paritutu Bowling Club.
Gifted to the city in 1936 along with five hectares of grounds, the building’s future was uncertain since its commercial tenant moved out in July 2011.
The council put the house up for tender last year rather than pay for a $700,000 upgrade that was deemed necessary to secure a new commercial tenant.
Burgess Park House is not listed with the Historic Places Trust nor recorded as a heritage building in the council’s District Plan.
Tim Carrington said the project to do up the house would be a joint effort between his brother Jackson, a builder, and father Paul.
He said his father was fond of old places, having moved a house from Patea to Tikorangi about 20 years ago.
The purchase of Burgess House “just eventuated”, he said.
They initially considered moving the house somewhere out of town with a bit of land but eventually settled on the Moulton St section after four months of looking for the perfect location.
“It took a while to find somewhere that suited its character.
“It will be a good little spot with quite a few trees around it.”
He hoped the new section would be an improvement on the old site, where the house was cold and not north-facing.
“It will give it some life and sun pouring in.” He said they had no plans to sell the house and section yet, but would do it up and rent it for a while.
Council property services manager Peter Hancock was happy with the sale.
“The fact it’s been able to be purchased and stay within New Plymouth is a good outcome,” he said.
Of the eight public submissions received by council on the Burgess House options, four supported disposal, three retention and one did not indicate either way.
– © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links