Heathcote Manor, a historic Invercargill property that once hosted Queen Elizabeth II, has been purchased for $920,000 by a couple intending to restore the site as a wedding venue. According to One Agency real estate agent Sean Bellew, the new owners plan to invest six figures into the property, which had sat vacant for over 18 months following a failed sale attempt to an international buyer.
Why is Heathcote Manor significant to Invercargill history?
The Wellesley Avenue homestead was built by the Hazlett family. According to Sean Bellew, the house was designed to accommodate a high level of service, featuring a dedicated servants’ wing and an original waiter’s call bell system. Architectural details include a balustrade railing imported from England and a stained-glass window depicting the War of the Roses. The property is associated with a royal connection, with reports that the Queen and Prince Philip visited the home for afternoon tea during their 1954 tour of the city.
The Hazlett family were renowned in racing circles. Bellew suggested this shared interest in racehorses likely provided the foundation for their 1954 meeting with the Queen, who was famously passionate about the sport.
What are the plans for the property’s future?
The new owners, who collect Daimlers, intend to transition the manor into a wedding venue. Bellew notes that the couple has already relocated a church to their own rural property, and they hold weddings. The renovation is expected to be extensive, with the owners committed to a six-figure budget to bring the structure back to its former glory. Unlike the previous owner, who purchased the property in 2023 but never moved in, the current buyers have committed to active preservation.
How has the property market for the manor changed?
The sale price of $920,000 represents a decrease from the $950,000 paid by the previous buyer. Bellew stated that the price adjustment reflects the cost of repairing the property. The following table highlights the shift in the property’s recent market status:
| Transaction Period | Status | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Sold to international buyer | $950,000 |
| Current | Sold to couple | $920,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new owner of Heathcote Manor?
The property was purchased by a couple who collect Daimlers and have already relocated a church onto their rural property, and they hold weddings.
Was the Queen actually at Heathcote Manor?
According to Sean Bellew, members of the Hazlett family once told him about the visit, stating that the Queen came for afternoon tea. Bellew notes he has to take people at face value, but when he last had it on the market and said the same thing, he was never challenged.
What is the scale of the planned renovations?
The new owners have committed to a six-figure investment to restore the manor to its former glory.
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