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Former greenkeeper’s cottage from late 1800s selling
Silverstream - landmark greenkeeper's cottage in Upper Hutt listed
Back in the day, you got a great perk when you were a greenkeeper of the Royal Wellington Golf Club - your own “cottage” a couple of hundred metres away.
This former “greenkeeper’s cottage” in Heretaunga, Upper Hutt, Silverdale, has been greatly extended and renovated over the years since it has been in private ownership, and the floor area has increased to just under 500m². The property, which has more in common with a manor house, has been listed this week for the first time in 20 years.
Scott Ledger of Harcourts Upper Hutt, who holds the listing with Mike Ledger, says there are a lot of big old stately homes in the area that were originally built for staff and greenkeepers at the golf club, but have long since been private homes.
This landmark residence has just come to market because the owners are downsizing now that their children have grown. “They plan to move to the Wairarapa where they will have a single-level house,” Ledger says.
He also says within 12 hours of listing the property he already had half a dozen viewings lined up with interested parties.
Various extensions and renovations have added a huge family living area that opens out to a pool. On the right of the house is the west wing, which has rooms above the garage.
And there’s a lot to see. The house offers 6+ bedrooms, five living areas and three bathrooms, and is set on a massive 1746m² section - think park-like grounds, mature trees and lush lawns, all in keeping with the property’s history.
There are also grand wrought-iron entry gates with an intercom, and brick walls along that boundary that offer maximum security and privacy.
Ledger says as well as enjoying the heritage architecture and traditional craftsmanship, a new owner can appreciate the more recent renovations undertaken by a series of renowned architects over the decades, including Athfield Architects.
There’s a wide formal entry hall with living areas off both sides.
Designed for multigenerational living, there’s a separate “west wing” that’s ideal for a growing or extended family set-up.
One of the key features is an extra-large family living area that opens to an outdoor entertainment area, complete with a large pool house and barbecue area.
Inside the house, as you would expect, the spaces are grand. The large tiled entry hall opens to a family room on the left, and a vast lounge on the right, which in turns leads to the huge open-plan family living area with the kitchen.
And this is the formal living room off to the left of the entry hall. Polished floorboards have a patina acquired over centuries.
This is the study, lined with shelving. Dark-painted walls help to create a sense of intimacy.
There are four bedrooms up the main stairs, and then another two in the west wing above the garage, along with another lounge.
The kitchen features panel door cabinetry and vintage-style drawer pulls in keeping with the era, with a traditional Rangemaster cooker to match.
And if you are concerned about heating such a large space, there is Rinnai gas central heating, a Haier heat pump and electric fireplace.
The informal family living space has all-day sun and an easy flow to the outdoors.
And the kitchen is large enough to cater to a crowd.
The property joins a number of “landed gentry” properties for sale in the Hutt Valley and western hills.
This one, at 291 Fergusson Drive, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt is for sale by tender, with tenders closing on October 9, 2025. It has an RV of $2.49 million.
Ledger says it wouldn’t be possible to build such a large house today for the amount it will sell for. “For this standard of craftsmanship you would be looking at $3000-$4000 per m², and that’s $2m without even considering the value of the land, plus the pool and all the other add-ons.”
There are distinct references to the past in the kitchen design, with cabinets that resemble pieces of furniture.
Bedrooms are large, with leafy outlooks.
Property market update: The national average asking price for a property has shown positive movement for the first time since June 2024, notes Trade Me’s latest Property Pulse Report.
In August, the average asking price was $820,800, which is up 0.5% year-on-year.
"The increase, while modest, isn't something to be sniffed at particularly not at the tail end of the winter season,” says Trade Me customer director Gavin Lloyd.
And the outdoor living area has enough space for several separate seating areas.
The covered pool extends the months of swimming.
“If we look at the market this time last year, prices were down 2.3% year-on-year, so to show forward momentum ahead of spring suggests building confidence both from buyers and sellers.”
See more of this property on Trade Me Property.
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