Combining architectural ambition, commercial-grade engineering and monumental scale, this Ian Athfield-designed home occupies a category of its own within the residential market.
Built in two stages with Code of Compliance issued in 2025, this 735sqm home by the late Ian Athfield reflects the vision of one of New Zealand's most influential architectural minds, with a calibre of execution that would be extraordinarily difficult and exceptionally costly to replicate.
Engineering is one of the home's defining achievements, and very few, if any, residences can genuinely claim this level of structural capability. More commonly associated with commercial projects, the inclusion of screw-pile foundations, steel portal construction and base isolation technology delivers a remarkable resilience and long-term confidence rarely encountered in private homes.
The visionary layout distinguishes itself with exceptional capabilities, featuring elite entertaining areas and dedicated spaces for both multi-generational living and professional pursuits.
At its centre, a substantial open-plan living domain brings people together around a designer kitchen with a supporting scullery, while below, a subterranean bar and wine cellar introduce a level of occasion that shifts entertaining into altogether different territory. A formal lounge and media room provide additional flexibility for the family, while a 12-seat cinema and candy bar crown the top floor, delivering an authentic theatre experience that highlights the home's remarkable depth of living.
Equally extensive, the accommodation includes six bedrooms, four fully tiled bathrooms and two powder rooms. One of these is a self-contained ground-floor suite with its own entrance, kitchenette, bathroom and laundry, providing genuine independence for extended family, guests and live-in support. A substantial office, also with external access, allows any home-based business to operate with a heightened degree of privacy and professionalism, suited to client meetings and day-to-day operations.
Interiors by Jane Elliott of Trenzseater reflect the same commitment to excellence, where an extensive use of American white oak and vast stretches of herringbone flooring are complemented by bespoke joinery and high-stud ceilings, resulting in spaces defined by cohesion, calibre and craftsmanship.
Four-car garaging, multiple outdoor entertaining environments and 1,084sqm of landscaped grounds, with provision for a future pool already factored into the design, reinforce the same long-term thinking evident throughout the wider residence, while fully zoned heating and cooling, under-tile heating and a twelve-zone integrated audio system ensure comfort and performance remain uncompromised throughout.
With Merivale Village, Hagley Park, the CBD and some of Christchurch's most sought-after schooling all within easy reach, the location proves a fitting setting for a home defined by architectural significance, engineering integrity and a standard of execution that makes it a true one-of-a-kind offering at the very top end of the market.
Please get in touch with Karena Lines or Nicky Armitage from Sotheby's International Realty for further information.
Disclaimer: This property may be marketed as suitable for overseas purchasers. However, this does not constitute confirmation of eligibility, approval, or suitability for any individual buyer. All overseas purchasers remain subject to New Zealand’s overseas investment laws, including the Overseas Investment Act 2005, and may require consent from the Overseas Investment Office. You must obtain your own independent legal, financial, and technical advice and secure any necessary approvals before proceeding with a purchase.
Auction: 12:00 p.m. Wednesday 12 August 2026 (unless sold prior) at NZSIR Canterbury, 60 Cashel Street, Christchurch
To download the property file, copy and paste the following link: https://www.propertyfiles.co.nz/property/CHR10378
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