It’s one of the oldest colonial buildings in the Waimea area and now The Gables on Waimea West Rd is at the heart of a major restoration project.
“We just fell in love with it,” say owners Keith and Lorraine Davis.
The couple purchased the Class 1 Heritage New Zealand building in “an absolute state of disrepair” last September and work is underway to restore the well-known house to its former glory.
John Palmer, a somewhat eccentric pioneer of the Nelson region, built The Gables in 1865. It comprised a store, accommodation, and held a ‘Bush License’ to serve liquor. Clay was dug up on-site to produce the 60,000 bricks used in its construction and the house’s design was based on a home in Ipswitch, England, where the Palmers originated.
Keith is no stranger to renovation projects, but by his own admittance this one is a massive undertaking. “We’re going to keep it as authentic as possible. It’s going to be beautiful and our family home,” says Keith.
The first project for the couple has been the removal of the lean-to at the house’s rear so they can rebuild and live on-site.
A qualified gas service engineer who has spent his career in the building trade, Keith says “it’s the kind of project I love doing”.
With around 400 square metres to contend with, much of which is riddled with borer and wet and dry rot, the couple say they estimate the project to take 3-5 years and are a little hesitant to put a figure on it, with the cost of repairing the north and south walls $115,000 alone.
A Givealittle page has been established for those wanting to donate toward the restoration. www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/the-gables