Luxury new 3 bdrm home | 4 beds | 2 baths
Luxury new 3 bdrm home | 4 beds | 2 baths
Wendy
Annually we host an open day as part of Christchurch City Council's Heritage Festival. You can register your interest for our 2026 October tour and we'll be in touch closer to the time.
Over 100 residents joined our last two tours. Wendy, a visitor reflected that, "the tour was a highlight of the festival. I appreciated learning about the history of the area, the dwelling, and the process involved in this remarkable restoration." Read what others visitors say and see tour photos below...
Lasting 45-60 minutes, we ensure small group sizes of 6- 10 people. We walk around the outside and learn about the history of the house and area before going inside to see the interior restoration up close. We cover what's changed, stayed the same, and the massive forty week rebuild journey. We end with a cuppa and bikkie and a chance to look around at your own pace. Tours are led by the current owner/guardian, Simone.
David
Getting an overview of the project at the start...
Kazu
"I thought it was great – plenty of interesting details, and good to see the video at the end. Being able to hear from the person who knew most about the process – makes it a much richer experience." - Donna
"It was excellent. My favourite part was; the laundry and the kitchen. Oh and the coffee and cookies :)" - Maria
"The duration of the tour, details on history of the house and restoration were excellent. Overall we were stunned at the quality of the restoration which we believe is a major asset to all of Canterbury and with all credit due to you and your family taking on a major project and completing with this jewel of a heritage house" - Mike and Judy
"Lovely renovation. We enjoyed learning about the history of the house and the area. The house has such a lovely relaxed feeling. It feels like a sanctuary. We liked relaxing and chatting with others on the tour with a cuppa and a bikkie. " - Emily & Kylie
"Great to hear about the house and the journey to completing it, also interesting to hear about the wider area – both historically and more recent times. You have a great way of sharing the stories that keeps everyone engaged. " - Deborah
"Love chatting to other visitors as we’ve all got something in common " - Christine & Margo
"Wonderful how you have restored the exterior of the house keeping the original visage. The modernisation of the interior is outstanding. Thanks for the coffee, tea and biscuits. " - Joy
"The house tour was excellent. Enjoyed hearing the area hx (abbatoir!) and the house in its historical area content." - Julie
"Thank you Simone for making the time and being so passionate about your beautiful red cottage! I could really feel your labour of love for the cottage and treasuring its history." - Silena
"Brilliant and passionate personal storytelling. Always lovely to know the behind the scenes which are always hard work and dedication involved. Your wonderful communication skills attracted the listeners. " - Kaz
"What I liked best? I like the way you have restored the house to such a high standard and in a way that it can be useful rather than recreating the interior as a museum piece. And lots of interesting information. " - Gillian
"From the warmest of welcomes to the thank-you card handed to each of us at the end, the tour of your lovely restoration at 250 Kilmore Street was, for me, a highlight of the festival. Red House Blue Door is a hidden gem on the corner of a beautiful lane surrounded by heritage properties and a livable and walkable neighbourhood. We were able to share your joy and enthusiasm for what you have achieved in preserving a slice of history by upgrading this amazing workers cottage. The colours, quality materials and fittings chosen throughout are impeccable. I appreciated learning about the history of the area and the dwelling, and the process involved in this remarkable restoration.
Furthermore, you are an awesome host, authentic yet utterly professional. This is a gorgeous property, am blown away!
Thank you Simone, a joy to have met you and to have toured 250 Kilmore Street." - Wendy
Kazu
"The tour was excellent - finally seeing the cottage was my favourite part, but the description of what was done, how it was done and why was very good. Loved the video too." - Marjorie
"My favourite part was; integrating new design in an old dwelling in particular the sash windows, learning the history of the property and, how you have stayed true to the workers cottage history" - Abbie
"Amazing restoration, thank you very much for the tour and your generosity in opening your home to Christchurch. Everything was handled very professionally yet with a very friendly personal touch" - Kylie
"Process of restoration very interesting. Wonderful to see." - Alison
"Our favourite part was seeing the interior design decisions and finishing details. You did a great job explaining, presenting, etc. Really professional, friendly and honest." - Joanne
"Really impressed. This is a great solution to giving new life and purpose to heritage cottage built in another century for a very different user and threatened by early 21st century seismic events that robbed us of so much built heritage" - Clare
"Loved our tour, it was excellent. As soon as we walked through the front gate you made us feel so welcome and from the introductions we each made I knew we were with fellow old house enthusiasts. You made the tour so interesting and informative and by the end when we were sitting down I felt so at home I thought a cup of tea and a chat with you and our fellow tour members would have topped it off!! I know you had the next tour waiting to start so just dreaming haha. Definitely a special place so glad you saved her. " - Christine & Margo
"I enjoyed the whole tour. Seeing the interior was a real 'wow' for me, and I liked the fact that we didn't go inside immediately. I enjoyed hearing the story of the house...the time-lapse is amazing." - David
"The whole tour experience was enjoyable, professional and passionate. I liked; the choice of interior and exterior colours, the way the outside was kept in character with a modern inside, surprised at how reasonable it is to rent, and the passion you guys have for the place. You really have preserved a treasure for many, many future generations" - Mike & Kaye
"The tour was excellent and so interesting. We both thought that 250 was beautiful finished product and fitting to 2023 with modern convenience but the heritage charm" - Kaye & Shane
"Loved the explanation of the construction process and that you were transparent about the cost of items and overall experience of the restoration " - Dyna
"What I enjoyed about the tour was the blending of the history of the house and stories about the previous owners, with structural information, and the visual before and after transformation of the sympathetic
restoration. The tour was a good length of time and the smaller numbers ideal for being able to go into all the less roomy spaces. Thank you, for opening your home to strangers, and helping to preserve a part of early Christchurch for future generations" - Bronwen
David