If sold the property is expected to go for over $1.5 million, with QV's latest rating valuation in August 2016 pricing it at $1.58 million. Photo / Warren Buckland
If sold the property is expected to go for over $1.5 million, with QV's latest rating valuation in August 2016 pricing it at $1.58 million. Photo / Warren Buckland
Ormlie Lodge is once again on the market as the 120-year-old building looks for new owners.
The property has been listed on Bayleys since the end of May with sale by way of tender closing in early September.
If sold the property is expected to go for more than $1.5 million, with QV's latest rating valuation back in August 2016 pricing it at $1.58 million.
Ormlie's current owners were contacted but have yet to respond.
The lodge was sold in 2013 by business partners John Ferguson and Mark Bartlett who bought it in 1999.
Their first step was to re-open the restaurant under the name "The Grande Villa" and from there they took on an ambitious restoration project of the building.
In 2004 Ferguson bought out Bartlett's interest in the lodge, although they continued to manage it together.
The business closed in 2013 and was put up for sale.
Temporary manager at the time, Andrew Stenberg, said Ferguson was unwell and unable to carry on with the business. "The whole focus has changed due to his ill health," Stenberg said.
Ormlie Lodge has been standing for 120 years, having been built by William Nelson as a wedding present to his daughter Gertrude. Photo / Duncan Brown
"We're both very sad about it but we're also relieved because it's time to accept the situation and move on.
"This wonderful place has spent half its life as a hospitality venue - its spirit will live on."
The lodge is set on 2ha of landscaped gardens and mature trees and was built in 1899 by William Nelson as a wedding present to his daughter Gertrude who married Hector Smith.
The Smiths were forced to move out for two years as repairs were carried out after it was badly damaged in the 1931 earthquake and later returned to live out the rest of their lives.
Gertrude Smith died in 1955 and Mr Smith stayed there for another seven years until he sold it just before his death at the age of 93.
The lodge has had several owners since and became a private hotel, while the old stables were renovated to become Stables Restaurant.
The restaurant was destroyed by fire in 1985 and was not rebuilt. The main lodge escaped fire damage.
Soon afterwards Ormlie was bought by Don and Alma Kale and was refurbished back to its original state.
