Fully Renovated 1903 Triple-Brick Edwardian Home

12 Colonsay Street, Lawrence is a substantial double-storey, triple-brick Edwardian home built in 1903, originally the presbytery for St Patrick’s Catholic Church. The house has been extensively renovated and modernised while retaining its beautiful original character and charm.
Set in an elevated position overlooking Gabriel’s Gully, Lawrence and the surrounding countryside, the home enjoys lovely views, natural light and plenty of sun.

-The Home

The house offers potential for up to 5 bedrooms. We currently use 3 as bedrooms, with one as a wellness/spa room and another as a study. There are two toilets, two living areas and generous, well-proportioned rooms.
The large newly renovated kitchen is a real feature, with a spacious cooking area, large new oven, excellent storage and a large pantry. It also retains a fully functioning 501 Shacklock coal range, combining modern convenience with genuine period character.

The home has been upgraded with:

* New Stiebel Eltron central heating from Germany in every room
* Air-source hydronic heating with radiators
* New electrical wiring and plumbing
* Insulation certificate
* Kitchen Electrical Certificate of Compliance and Electrical Safety Certificate
* New 100% NZ wool carpet
* Sanderson wallpaper
* Renovated bathroom
* Beautiful original wooden staircase
* Chandeliers throughout
* Four original fireplaces

The house is warm, comfortable and economical to heat, while the practical layout and clearly defined rooms make it easy to keep clean and organised.
The high-quality original Marseille-tile roof is another excellent feature, adding to the home's historic character and solid construction.

-Outside

The property has a large double garage, four additional storage areas for gardening equipment, tools and firewood. There is also generous gravel parking for multiple vehicles.
The grounds are landscaped with native plants, with an established vegetable garden and a dedicated BBQ area.

-Location & Lifestyle

The home is a 5 minutes' walk to the Clutha Gold Rail Trail, Lawrence Domain, main street, cafés and supermarket, with the library, church, dairy and other amenities all close by. School, kindergarten, playground, health care, gym and swimming pool are also within easy reach.
Lawrence is a historic gold-rush town and the Gateway to Central Otago, with a strong and welcoming community. There are excellent opportunities for mountain biking, walking, hiking, hunting and fishing, with further walking tracks around Gabriel’s Gully only about a 10-minute drive away.
Dunedin Airport is approximately 45 minutes away and beaches around 40 minutes away. Lawrence is nestled between Dunedin and Queenstown.

-A Rare Opportunity

This is a genuine 1903 Edwardian home, not a modern house made to look old. It combines the strength and character of triple-brick construction, original fireplaces, timber staircase, chandeliers and Marseille roof tiles with the comfort and practicality of a fully modernised home.
The property offers flexibility for family living, extended family, work from home, holiday accommodation or potential Airbnb/guest accommodation.
There is also the possibility of purchasing the church next door as part of a bundle, subject to availability and separate sale arrangements.

A rare opportunity to own a beautifully renovated, warm and spacious historic home with genuine character, modern comforts, beautiful views and the lifestyle benefits of living at the Gateway to Central Otago.

-St patrick’s church – a unique opportunity

The historic St Patrick’s Church next door can be purchased as part of a bundle with the house, although the properties are separately subdivided.
Built in 1891 and opened in 1892, the beautiful Gothic-style church was designed by renowned architect Francis Petre.
With its tall belfry, distinctive Gothic architecture and elevated position, the church has an almost fairy-tale appearance and is a truly striking feature of the property.
The church features beautiful original windows sourced from Munich, Germany, adding to its charm.
The church is no longer consecrated, offering exciting possibilities for its future use.

It could be retained as a beautiful historic church, or potentially transformed into:

-Wedding and function venue
-Event hire
-Art studio or gallery
-Creative workshop space
-Yoga or wellness studio
-Music or performance venue
-Holiday accommodation
-Unique Airbnb or guest retreat
-Private residence
-Studio or workspace
-Storage for a business or collection
-Bookshop or reading room
-Film or photography studio
-Unique office or creative workspace
-Antique or vintage showroom

A rare chance to own a piece of Lawrence history with enormous creative potential or simply preserve this beautiful landmark exactly as it is. Both buildings can be purchased separately or as a bundle.

Parking/Garaging Info

large gravel parking area with space for up to 5 additional cars.

Locality / Area

Everything close by .
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Lawrence combines the charm of a historic rural town with excellent everyday convenience. From 12 Colonsay Street, the pharmacy, gas station, local mechanic, Community Crafts Centre and library are just 2 minutes away. The town also offers a health centre, school, kindergarten, supermarket, cafés, bakery, museum, a modern gym and swimming facilities. .
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Nature & recreation .
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The Clutha Gold Trail passes through Lawrence, while Gabriel’s Gully, just minutes away, offers numerous walking and hiking tracks through the historic goldfields. The surrounding countryside is ideal for walking, hiking, fishing, hunting and mountain biking. .
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History & community .
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As Otago’s first gold-rush town, Lawrence is rich in history and character, with a welcoming community and beautiful heritage buildings. The local museum and Community Crafts Centre add to the town’s unique atmosphere. .
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Location & connections .
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Lawrence is ideally nestled between Dunedin and Queenstown, with InterCity bus connections to both. Dunedin Airport is approximately 45 minutes away, the Catlins around 1 hour, and Central Otago’s famous orchards and vineyards around 45 minutes. .
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A peaceful, welcoming community offering nature, history and genuine convenience- with so much of what you need just minutes from your front door. .
Since the opening of the Clutha Gold Trail, Lawrence has become busier than ever, attracting a steady flow of cyclists, walkers and visitors. It has a higher demand for accommodation than it can supply. The town benefits from passing traffic going to Queenstown/ the West Coast as well as growing cycle tourism, bringing new energy to local cafés, shops and businesses..