18 Darvel Street, Riccarton, Christchurch

Architectural delight

Auction (unless sold prior)
12pm, thu 10 Jul 2025
3 Deans Avenue, Chch

An icon of architect Trevor Ibbetson, this distinctive home just 200m from Hagley Park captures light, character, and volume in ways few can master.

Completed in the 1990s, the design draws on influences from both the past and the present, resulting in genuine individuality and a clearly defined architectural edge.

True to Ibbetson's signature use of angles and scale, the layout balances expansiveness with intimate corners, most evident in the kitchen and living zone, where rustic beams and timber ceilings introduce warmth and contrast within the framework.

The dining room serves as the showpiece, featuring a soaring, double-height void capped by a mezzanine, with clerestory windows ushering in sunlight from every angle.

Timber decking and a wraparound terrace shape a series of outdoor zones, including a pair of courtyards, one of which is crowned by a grapevine that promises shade and natural beauty in season.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is a retreat beneath an arched ceiling, complete with an ensuite and Juliet balcony overlooking the patio. Sweeping shutters frame the dining space below, amplifying the home's dialogue between levels and light, lending it a treehouse-like charm.

A character bathroom with antique-style brassware and subway tiling is joined by a ground-floor double bedroom, ideal as an alternative main suite, while a single bedroom or study offers flexibility for guests or work.

A log burner and dual heat pumps deliver year-round comfort, while an internal-access garage secures everyday ease.

Located on leafy Darvel Street, only minutes from Westfield Riccarton and the CBD yet hidden from the city's rush, this residence champions architectural distinction in its purest form.