PHOTO: HARCOURTS The house is one of two double-skinned brick villas built by two brothers – the neighbouring one is yet to be restored.
Three years ago, Ben and Lauren Calvin bought a heritage-listed double-brick villa in St Albans that had been extensively damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes – it had not been lived in for five years.
Now, three years on, and one massive restoration later, the family has finally moved into their home, which has an Historic Places Category II listing.
At the time they bought the house, for $690,000. they took a bold leap of faith – it was advertised by Gold Real Estate-Harcourts as “a damaged masterpiece, as is, where is”.
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