Strong global interest is anticipated in the sale of a historic high-country station in Canterbury’s Southern Alps.
Mt Algidus Station has been listed on the market and likely to be one of the largest sales in the South Island this year, according to New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty.
The property is being marketed internationally and domestically, including a campaign in the New York Times.
The 22,120 hectare station dates back to 1861.
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Matt Finnigan said the station is often referred to as an island in the alps, due to its isolated location at the confluence of the Wilberforce, Rakaia and Mathias rivers.
Finnigan said the “majestic property is not only a large-scale and successful farming operation, it is an ultra-private alpine retreat in a spectacular high-country setting”.
“It’s the ultimate legacy property – a pristine part of New Zealand to be passed from generation to generation.”
The property has 65km of river frontage, hundreds of hectares of native bush, spring-fed wetlands and waterways, and many hectares of pure, remote wilderness, serviced by backcountry huts.
The owners’ residence, Mt Algidus Station Manor, is an interpretation of Normandy’s manor houses. Designed by Kiwi architect Charlie Nott, the residence was built in 2010 featuring hand-cut hinuera stone features.
It also contains four double bedrooms, each with walk-in-wardrobe. The kitchen comprises marble benchtops, and other assets within the home include multiple living areas, a library, a drawing room, office, pool cabana, and a two-bedroom flat.
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Russell Reddell said the home was “built to perfection with the highest-quality design and materials used for every detail”.
“It is a wonderful, private home base and somewhere to enjoy true solitude after a day working or exploring the exceptional wilderness of the station.
“This is a place where recreational attributes such as flyfishing for salmon and brown trout, hunting for wild red deer and chamois, and horse riding along the trails and river flats, are all in your own backyard.”
Outside of the manor, other dwellings on the property included a woolshed, sheep yards, the old shearers’ quarters, and various modern dwellings for both permanent and temporary staff.
A separate farmhouse also served as a guest accommodation, with three double bedrooms, living and dining areas, and an out-house bedroom and standalone bedsit.
Mt Algidus Station was written about by author Mona Anderson, who moved to the station in the 1940s for 33 years.
Anderson documented her life on the farm and wrote best-selling books including A River Rules My Life and The Good Logs of Algidus.
The station was also once occupied by Canterbury politician William Rolleston.
