‘The Rocks’ hits the market for the first time

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

1 Whitewash Head Road in Sumner has arguably one of the best views in Christchurch.

A prestigious Sumner home that appears to levitate over the ocean is for sale for the first time in its history.

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom, three-living area home, which perches at the base of Whitewash Head Rd and is owned by Christchurch developer Philip Carter, is making its first appearance on the open market, having changed hands just once before.

One of the property’s four bedrooms, with expansive sea views.

Known as “The Rocks”, offers for the property close on March 26, unless the well known landmark is sold beforehand.

Architect Stephen Fitzgerald designed the home in 2000, replacing a Cecil Wood-designed house that once occupied the site.

The property was designed by architect Stephen Fitzgerald in 2020.

Following a private sale in 2012, which saw it change hands for $2 million, Carter undertook a comprehensive refurbishment, including the addition of extra rooms, a gym and steam room, and a system to automate things like lighting and appliances.

“It’s pretty breathtaking,” said Harcourts agent Alison Aitken.

She said the “never to be repeated” location makes it particularly attractive.

Behind the imposing entrance is a three-storey, architecturally designed home owned by Christchurch developer Philip Carter.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Aitken said while multimillion-dollar properties do hit the market, this is “a one-off,” thanks to the “no expense spared” approach to the refurbishment, the views out to Sumner and towards the Kaikōura Ranges and the proximity of the sea.

The views and location are “never to be repeated”, says agent Alison Aitken.

“The ocean is right in front of you, it’s all you see and hear.

“Everyone admires it and thinks, ‘what’s behind those doors?’ The first time I walked in, you had no idea what was in there until you walked in the front door - it’s like you’re in another world.

A lap pool completes the house, which also features a gym and steam room.

The house features a bathtub with arguably one of the best views in the city.

Outdoor dining on one level of the house at 1 Whitewash Head Road.

“It’s a piece of art, really.”

The property also boasts garaging for four cars, a gym, lap pool and steam room, and is for sale complete with European appliances, security cameras and an internal vacuum system

The capital value of $4,540,000 - land value $1.4m and improvement value of $3.14m - will be a guide to those keen to put an offer in, with the deadline sale on March 26.

“We’ll just find out what someone’s going to be prepared to pay,” Aitken said.

The suburb of Scarborough has the priciest houses in Christchurch, with a median market value of $1.7m, according to property analyst CoreLogic.