20 Atawhai Lane, Belfast, Christchurch
A substantial and gracious cottage-style home in one of Christchurch’s most desirable neighbourhoods, offering five bedrooms, six bathrooms and five separate living spaces across two levels. Set behind a private gated entrance with mature hedging, a swimming pool and lake views, this residence delivers flexibility for large families and multi-generational households while retaining classic character and careful stewardship.
Set back from the street behind a white gated fence and a sweeping driveway, this residence announces itself with considered privacy and a formal approach. The property has been cared for over decades and presents a balance of period detail and thoughtful updating. Constructed in fibre cement board and believed to be 50 to 75 years old, the house retains its cottage-style proportions and external character, including traditional sash windows with patterned leadlight glazing, a tiled roof with chimney, and a generous covered verandah that reaches across the upper level. The floor area is 170 m² more or less, on a compact but well-utilised 200 m² site, and the home offers a rare combination of formal spaces and relaxed, everyday living.
Living
Entry to the home is via the gated driveway that curves through hedged gardens to a sheltered porch. The internal flow is clear and well considered, with the principal living spaces arranged to make the most of natural light and the garden outlook. Multiple living rooms provide privacy and separation for different activities, reflecting an adaptable plan that will suit large families, those with older children, or multi-generational living requirements.
The property offers five individual lounges, each with its own feel and function. The main public rooms display high ceilings and detailed cornice work that nod to the home’s era, while large windows and doors draw light into the interior. From formal sitting rooms that would suit more traditional entertaining to relaxed family rooms that open to the outdoors, the living spaces are arranged to offer both intimacy and breadth. Internal stairs and a covered upper-level deck combine to create attractive indoor-outdoor transitions and to capture the lake view from certain vantage points. The overall impression is of a home that balances formality with comfort.
Kitchen and Dining
The kitchen is a central, well-appointed workspace that opens through to an adjoining dining zone and out to the deck. It features white cabinetry finished in a clean, Shaker-influenced style, with a central island that provides extra preparation surface and casual seating. Stone benchtops and generous storage underpin the kitchen’s practical credentials, and integrated appliances include a built-in oven suite and a gas cooktop, all presented in stainless steel. A sink is positioned beneath a window with leadlight detailing, allowing a pleasant outlook while working at the bench.
The adjoining dining area sits within easy flow of the kitchen and opens to the deck through wide doors, enabling effortless entertaining and everyday movement between inside and out. The dining room has direct access to the verandah and pool terrace, making it straightforward to host summer gatherings where guests can move easily from the table to the terrace and poolside seating. The kitchen and dining spaces combine period charm with contemporary finishes to deliver a practical and sociable heart to the home.
Bedrooms
Accommodation comprises five generous bedrooms laid out to provide comfortable separation and flexibility. The configuration allows for parent and teenage zones, guest accommodation or an office conversion, depending on the household needs. Many of the bedrooms take advantage of the home’s character windows, drawing natural light and garden glimpses into each room.
The principal bedroom, set on the upper level, benefits from elevated outlooks and proximity to the verandah, providing a sense of retreat and the potential to take in lake views from certain aspects. Secondary bedrooms are well proportioned and arranged to provide both family convenience and privacy for residents or visitors. The home’s building efficiency works out to roughly 34 m² per bedroom, indicating roomy living proportions relative to the number of bedrooms.
Bathrooms
There are six well-appointed bathrooms distributed across the property, offering convenience and comfort for large households and guests. The bathrooms present a mixture of contemporary fittings and period touches consistent with the house’s style. Multiple bathrooms reduce morning congestion and enable independent living zones, which is particularly useful for families, guests and those entertaining. Their placement across levels contributes strongly to the property’s suitability for multi-generational arrangements and for providing separate ensuite-style amenities where needed.
Outdoor
The outdoor environment is a key strength, with landscaped and hedged gardens creating a private, secure setting. Framing the rear of the house is a raised verandah and deck that runs the width of the home, giving a sheltered spot for dining and relaxation with direct access from the kitchen and dining areas. Stairs lead down to a lower garden terrace and a beautifully maintained pool area that acts as the focal point of summer living.
The pool is rectangular with a built-in spa or shallow step area at one end, edged in light-coloured paving that contrasts with neatly clipped hedges and established plantings. A pergola with built-in seating offers a shaded lounge beside the pool, and the hedged boundaries provide an enclosed and intimate outdoor room. Despite the compact site of 200 m² in total, the landscaping has been carefully arranged to make the most of available space, delivering a resort-like aspect while retaining practicality for family use. The property provides three off-street carparks, which will be a welcome convenience for families with multiple vehicles or for those hosting guests.
Location
Located in an established Christchurch neighbourhood known for its desirability, this property sits within easy reach of the city’s amenities while offering a leafy, peaceful setting. The position provides lake views, a setting detail that enhances the sense of space and outlook from the upper level and selected living areas. The house’s context is one of mature gardens, tree-lined streets and a community-focused environment, making it especially well suited to buyers who value long-standing family living and connection to neighbours.
Further Information
This residence is a rare offering that combines five bedrooms, six bathrooms and five distinct lounges within a cottage-style dwelling of character. Its construction in fibre cement board and its age of between 50 and 75 years have resulted in a property that retains authentic detail while allowing for contemporary upgrades, and the home is currently insured. The lot permeability is recorded at 85 percent, indicating a high level of open surface relative to the site, and the property carries a modest annual rates charge as recorded.
Who will the home suit? The combination of multiple living areas and bathrooms, alongside generous bedroom accommodation, makes this an outstanding option for larger families, multi-generational households, and buyers seeking flexibility to work from home or to accommodate frequent guests. The private gated entry, three carparks and pool area also make it attractive to those who enjoy outdoor entertaining and who value security and seclusion within a desirable Christchurch setting.
Careful stewardship is evident in the way the house presents: mature plantings and hedges, leadlight windows and preserved interior detailing point to a property that has been maintained with thought and pride. At the same time, the kitchen and amenity spaces provide the practical conveniences required by modern family life, meaning the home can be enjoyed from day one while also offering scope for future personalisation.
Price and sale details are recorded with this listing, and the property is offered for sale as a residential private sale. For further information or to arrange a private viewing, please contact the Bayleys salesperson handling this listing. We invite you to inspect and experience the home in person to fully appreciate the scale, the indoor-outdoor flow and the unique balance of character and contemporary living that this home provides.
Key Features
💰 Sale price: $999,000.00
🧱 Construction: Fibre Cement Board
🛏️ Bedrooms: 5
🛁 Bathrooms: 6
🛋️ Lounges: 5
🚗 Carparks: 3
📐 Land Area: 200m²
📐 Floor Area: 170m²
📅 Property age: 50-75 years
🏠 Property style: Cottage
🌅 View: Lake View
🛡️ Insurance: Has insurance
🧾 Annual property rates: $200.00
📊 Building efficiency: 34 m² per bedroom
💧 Lot size and permeability: 85%
Comprehensive property specifications and performance metrics
This property is currently insured or eligible for insurance coverage
Based on continuous monitoring and environmental sensors
Based on council records and property documentation
Based on annual solar studies
and site analysis
Based on thermal imaging and temperature monitoring