Christchurch family spent twice their budget restoring this 1907 Sumner villa

Saturday, 27 June 2026

122 Esplanade, Sumner, Christchurch is for sale by auction after 33 years in the hands of the Wilkie family.

Walking the promenade at Sumner Beach is one of the pleasures of Christchurch life, so living on the adjacent esplanade must surely be the ultimate indulgence.

Richard and Catherine Wilkie have loved living by the ocean for the past 33 years, but now that they are downsizing, their five-bedroom, 291m² Edwardian villa at 122 Esplanade is for sale.

It sits on a 889m² section, one of the most substantial in the area.

The 1907-built home, which has a modern 2013 addition at the rear, was originally built as a holiday retreat for the family of Charles Morris, from the then well-known Quill-Morris wine and spirit merchants.

The Morris family lived in Christchurch and holidayed in Sumner. While most people travelled by tram between the two at that time (the service was discontinued in the 1950s), Richard Wilkie’s own research shows that in 1908, Morris applied for permission to build a “motor garage”.

Car ownership in the early 20th century was a sign of considerable wealth.

Richard Wilkie says no expense was spared in their post-earthquakes restitution of the property. Although their budget was flexible, he says the eventual cost was twice what they expected.

The home was “stripped back to its frame and extensively strengthened”.

The 2013 extension comprises living, kitchen, one bedroom and the laundry.

The work included re-piling, re-wiring, re-plumbing and the installation of Smart-Clad weatherboards while retaining all its original features, Wilkie says.

“Particular attention was also given to the roof. Each reclaimed Marseille tile was individually clipped, while Code 5 English lead was specified for the flashings, with extensive use of copper and brass for flashings and gutters.”

He engaged his architect brother, Alun Wilkie, from Wilkie + Bruce Architects, to design an extension at the rear that comprises living, kitchen, one bedroom and the laundry.

The home was extensively renovated in keeping with its era.

The couple raised their children there, and made the most of living opposite the beach. The house, which was built 1.2m off the ground, has a large basement which Wilkie says has served as a sports room, bar and workshop.

The home has five bedrooms, one of which is in the modern extension.

He and his sons built their own half-size Chris-Craft Cobra boat there about 10 years ago, and it has stored many a skateboard and surfboard over the years.

The property is being marketed by Anuj Badkar and Amber Ray, from Ray White Metro, who describe it in their listing as “a generational trophy property”.

“Set a literal stone's throw from the surf of Sumner Beach, this estate is a breathtaking, uncompromising narrative of two distinct eras colliding flawlessly.”

Richard Wilkie says he will miss the views from the house out over the Pacific, and living in what he considers “a holiday destination”.

“It’s great when you see half of Christchurch coming to Sumner to enjoy the beach on a nice day when we just happen to live there,” he says.

The couple are undecided as to whether they will stay in Sumner, waiting to see what is available once they have sold.

The property goes to auction on July 9 unless sold prior.