It started life as the Raglan Police Station and constable’s residence, but after 40-odd years of police work the stunning villa on Main Rd is now a beloved family home.
Built in the 1920s, this character-filled villa is back on the market and ready for new owners to add to its long and interesting history.
The current owners Tai-Anne and Ben Blair are now set to hand this unique and enchanting piece of Raglan’s history onto new custodians.
Originally from Invercargill, it was meant to be a seaside home in the north for the couple. But with a grandbaby on the way and an ailing parent, they are southward bound once again.
“Family are definitely calling us back,” Tai-Anne says.
Not that family and friends haven’t benefited from Tai-Anne and Ben’s Raglan home with many visiting over the past year and enjoying all that town has to offer.
“We’ve just had my husband’s sister, her husband and new baby from Kuala Lumpur. They’ve never been to Raglan before and they love it. They’re even thinking about buying a bach here,” she says.
If these walls could speak, they would have some stories to tell from the various coppers, local miscreants, and the families who have shaped a different history from its one of crime-busting.
The villa was moved from Wi Neera Street to its current position on the prominent corner site in 1969 by Mr R Thomas, the permit cost $2 about $16 today.
Updated for modern living, the house has lost nothing of its old-world charm, and features high ceilings and polished native wooden flooring throughout imbuing a rich warmth into this stunning property.
The couple have stamped their mark on the home with new paint inside and a tidy up in the garden to create more space for entertaining and parking – enough for boat, cars and caravan.
“We’ve freshened it up with a new colour palette, modernised the furniture and the styling. And outside we’ve really opened it up, put some lawn down, cut back some trees and made an entertainment area for fire pits under the trees with a barbecue and pizza oven.”
Family living is easy with dining and living area opening onto the north facing deck with its stunning vista of Karioi maunga, everchanging views of the Kaitoke estuary and awe-inspiring sunsets.
“It’s an easy walk to Raglan village for your morning coffee. We’ve loved walking the dog at the Kaitoke estuary, which is just minutes down the road.”
This expansive home offers the space families crave plus the opportunity to generate extra holiday rental income. Its prime location means it has awesome business potential – think high-end Airbnb or unique Bed & Breakfast.
For Tai-Anne and Ben it has been a loved family home but it has also nurtured her business Float Therapy Raglan, and was perfect for offering total relaxation and deep healing in a private, peaceful space.
There’s certainly plenty of scope for work/life balance in paradise with this home, in previous incarnations it has also been a beauty clinic.
Meander through the cottage garden awash with scented roses, which adds to the sense of serenity and privacy.
While this home exudes yesteryear, she’s not stuck in the past, with a set of plans already drawn for extensions to the lounge and deck, there’s plenty of potential to grow this property.
If everything had gone to plan, the couple would have set the extension wheels in motion, but they are confident the plans will enhance this already spacious character home.
“It’s got massive potential to create more all-year round outdoor living space. It’s something that we wanted to do because we thought we were going to live there for a lot longer,” Tai-Anne says.
