Methven house offered for the first time

A prominent property woven into Methven’s story for more than a century is now on the market, presenting buyers with a substantial landholding, established accommodation and clear future potential all within walking distance of the township’s amenities.

Set on a generous parcel of residentially zoned land, Methven House occupies a strategic position in the heart of town. First opened in the 1920s as Methven’s maternity hospital and later operated as a retirement home from 1977, the property has long served the local community and remains widely recognised.

“This building has a hugely emotional connection for those living in Methven. Many residents have experienced both birth and retirement within its walls.” says Bayleys salesperson Rosa Dekker.

The property was still being used as a retirement home up until December last year, with many of its residents sharing fond memories from within its four walls.

“One told me they knew exactly which room they’d been born in decades before. With so much meaning the whole town is eagerly watching this sale.”

“It’s never been privately owned, which means that all proceeds from the sale will go directly back to the Methven Central Retirement Village where the residents from Methven House are now living.”

Centrally located the principal building is expansive in scale, offering eleven bedrooms supported by generous communal living areas, a large kitchen and dining space, four bathrooms, office facilities (including an additional office with separate external access), laundry amenities and extensive storage. Its layout lends itself to shared living, hosted accommodation or other community-based uses, while providing flexibility for reconfiguration.

Separate from the main residence is a detached block comprising four one-bedroom apartments. These self-contained units offer immediate income or independent accommodation and enhance the site’s versatility for buyers considering a mixed-use or staged redevelopment approach.

“It’s not often you find a site of this scale in the middle of town that already has multiple accommodation streams in place. There’s real flexibility here, buyers can retain what exists, generate income, and plan carefully for the future.”

“It’s so diverse, we have no idea who will buy it as it can be so many different things to different people.”

Beyond the existing improvements, a notable portion of the land sits to the rear of the property. With residential zoning in place, this opens the door to potential intensification or further development, subject to council consent.

“The landholding is a significant part of the story.”

“As Methven continues to grow and attract permanent residents and holiday-home owners, opportunities to secure centrally located development land are becoming increasingly limited.”

Equally, the property may appeal to purchasers seeking a substantial residential project, restoring and reshaping the main building into a grand private home while retaining supplementary accommodation through the apartment block.

A standalone triple garage adds further practicality, supporting storage, operational needs or future conversion possibilities.

Methven has evolved into a vibrant alpine hub, well known as the gateway to Mt Hutt ski area and increasingly popular year-round. Cafés, restaurants and boutique retail are all within walking distance, alongside everyday essentials including a supermarket, medical centre, pharmacy and schooling options. The township also offers recreational amenities such as the Methven Golf Club, Opuke Thermal Pools and Spa, walking and cycling trails, and easy access to the Rakaia River.

“There’s a real sense of momentum in Methven.”

“With its alpine lifestyle appeal, strong community feel and proximity to Christchurch, we’re seeing sustained interest from both permanent residents and holiday-home buyers. Properties that combine scale and central positioning are tightly held.”

Whether viewed as an accommodation investment, lifestyle enterprise, land-banking opportunity or long-term development play, Methven House represents a rare chance to secure a large-format site with both income and upside in one of Canterbury’s evolving alpine townships.