Luxury new 3 bdrm home | 4 beds | 2 baths
Luxury new 3 bdrm home | 4 beds | 2 baths
Wendy
We’re proud to be part of Christchurch City Council’s 2026 Heritage Festival.
More than 100 people have joined our previous tours of our heritage‑listed home at 250 Kilmore Street, and we’ve loved sharing its story.
This year, we’re excited to introduce something new — a guided walking tour of the Chester/Dawson Heritage Area.
Meet 160 Chester St East, Chesterfields Park
Explore one of Christchurch’s hidden gems. A guided walk through the Chester St East/Dawson area with homes, history and strong sense of pla...
Meet 160 Chester St East, Chesterfields Park
250 Kilmore St
Take a guided tour through the home following its 42‑week rebuild. Explore what’s been preserved, what’s changed, and the huge journey behin...
250 Kilmore St
Available to meet your schedule, 2-2.5 hours
Central city champion leads a tour of the best kept secrets of central city and provides an overview of Ōtautahi Christchurch: how it was, h...
Available to meet your schedule, 2-2.5 hours
Take a stroll through the Chester/Dawson Residential Heritage Area and discover what makes this neighbourhood one of Christchurch’s hidden gems.
We’ll explore the history of the area, visit a selection of heritage homes, learn about Chesterfields Reserve, and look at the 1980s beautification project that helped shape this much‑loved inner‑city haven.
Christchurch has nine Residential Heritage Areas protected in the District Plan — each representing a distinct chapter in Ōtautahi’s story. Chester/Dawson is one of the most intact, with a strong sense of place and community.
Tour led by local resident, Simone Rewa Pearson. Book below....
Built in 1881 by Alfred W. Money — a livery and stabling owner from what is now Victoria Square — this cottage remained in his hands until his death in 1909, after a fall from a tram at age 81.
Take a guided tour through the home following its 42‑week rebuild. Chat with the owner as we explore what’s been preserved, what’s changed, and the huge journey behind the restoration. You can also watch the entire rebuild as a three‑minute time‑lapse.
Learn about the cottage’s unique setting in the Chester/Dawson Residential Heritage Area — one of only nine Residential Heritage Areas protected in the Christchurch District Plan. Finish your visit with a cuppa and a bikkie. Photos and visitor feedback below.
Tours run 45–60 minutes, groups are limited to 8, and bookings are required, book below...
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. " - Kazu
"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