Why is this place significant?

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: DESCRIPTION: In 1862 a large block of land at Irwell, including the land on which Meadowbank Homestead stands, was granted to Thomas Overton who gave the name Meadowbank to the estate and built the first homestead there. Following his death the property passed to Henry Hoare, an English banker, in 1874 and then in 1890 it was sold to George Edward Rhodes. Rhodes had the present homestead built the following year at a cost of œ2,753. George Rhodes was the son of Robert Heaton Rhodes (1815-84), an important South Canterbury settler, and he used Meadowbank for the fattening of stock including Hereford cattle. He also kept Shorthorn cows and Berkshire pigs. Many staff were employed. The property including the homestead block was to change hands several times from 1916 to 1940, although the homestead block was returned to the Rhodes family for five years (1921-26) when purchased by (Arthur) Tahu (Gravenor) Rhodes and the Honourable Mrs Tahu Rhodes. Tahu and G.E. Rhodes were first cousins once removed. In 1940 the homestead block was purchased by Henry Neave. His son [Gordon] is the present owner, having taken over the property in 1953.

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration: ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: With its mock half-timbering and Tudor arches, this Victorian residence can be described as imitation Tudor. It is three-storeyed, asymmetrical and dominated by its many gabled roofs. The north facade has a centrally placed tower with a steep pavilion roof, cast iron cresting and finials, sprockets and small gables. Each tower gable caps a double-hung sash window below which is a cast iron balustraded balcony supported on three large brackets. Beneath the tower at ground floor level is the formal entrance with a small porch framed by a pointed arch with a foiled surround. To the west of the porch and returning along the west facade is a verandah. The verandah roof is supported on chamfered posts with simple brackets. Elements used repeatedly at Meadowbank Homestead include gables and bay windows. The gables employ sprockets to decorative effect, have bargeboards adorned with small battens and are surmounted with a variety of turned wooden and cast iron finials. Within the gable ends, the mock half-timbering is quite detailed. Below the gables are either oriel windows, supported by large brackets, or two-storeyed bay windows, some with simple hoods. While the windows themselves are mostly double-hung sashes, the ground floor has a series of Tudor arched fanlights. The upper sashes at first floor are generally Tudor arched while those at second floor are simply square headed. Further decorative elements include the repeated use of eaves brackets, and there is an unusual stringcourse above the bay windows to the left of the main entrance. Large brick chimneys add to the complex roof line. The interior has a large hall with a balustraded timber staircase. Timber doors are heavy and panelled and a tongue-and-groove dado is used extensively. There are numerous fireplaces, some of which are boarded over, and rooms used for entertaining, such as the dining and drawing rooms, have moulded cornices. The first floor includes six bedrooms and from the landing a narrow staircase leads to the tower above. MODIFICATIONS: Dates not known:- - Single storey gabled extension to east end of north facade - Sunroom added on top of extension to east end of north facade - Lean-to added to south facade - Two-storeyed structure, single men's quarters, built at rear of house - Stained glass windows removed from dining room and billiard room bays. Post 1953:- - Frosted windows at the east end of north facade replaced with sliding door. - Two bedrooms at east side of first floor converted into one large room.

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This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.