A house designed by acclaimed Kāpiti architect Fritz Eisenhofer ONZM that starred on television recently is up for sale in Levin and creating a lot of interest.

The stylish home was showcased on a recent episode of TVNZ’s Find My Country Home that told the story of its origins and explained why it was on the market.

Wellington couple Gayle and Lionel Sheridan had always loved Eisenhofer’s work and fell in love with 43 Redwood Grove, purchasing the property in 2021.

Lionel was diagnosed with motor neurone disease just one month after the couple moved in their dream home. He died six months later.

Gayle says it’s nice to think Lionel found his dream home and was able to spend his final days there in peace.

“For both of us that is so,” she says. 

Gayle has reluctantly offered the house on the market as she plans to move to Hastings to be closer to family living there, along with her dogs, Fernando, Francesca and Fancy Pants, and cat Hettie.

“I love it here, but it’s just me. It really should have a family – this house deserves a family here to really enjoy it.”

Eisenhofer was born Austria in 1926 and studied architecture in Vienna after the Second World War. He died at home in Peka Peka in 2003, aged 96.

He emigrated to New Zealand in 1953 as part of a large group of skilled Austrian tradesmen contracted to build 500 pre-cut Austrian state houses in Tītahi Bay.

Once the work had finished he gained New Zealand residency. In the late 1950s he went into partnership with architect Erwin Winkler, setting up a practice in Wellington

Eisenhofer has been described as a visionary architect noted for his stylish, modern design.

A coffee lounge he designed in Wellington was the inspiration of a Rita Angus painting, At Suzy’s Coffee Lounge, an eatery built for well-known businesswoman Suzy Van der Kwast.

He was made an OMNZ on the New Years Honours List in 2010 for his services to architecture.

The five-bedroom house, built in 2002, sits on a 9540m2 landscaped section and boasts a central courtyard, an outdoor entertainment area surrounded by greenery, inground pool, patio and sauna.

Inside, the spacious lounge has high ceilings with bi-fold doors to the courtyard. Two separate mezzanine floors upstairs provide even more living space, while the open-plan kitchen opens to a deck area with a pergola inviting al fresco dining.

The master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in-robe accesses the courtyard. A separate wing houses a guest room with private ensuite and three other double bedrooms that share a separate bathroom, shower room and toilet.

The double carport is connected to the large garage/workshop. Established gardens include citrus, feijoa and avocado trees. A separate paddock is fenced for pet animals or chooks, and has a bush walk

The house has a CV of $1.85 million. Agent Angela Shaw of real estate firm Tremains has asked for buyer enquiries over $1,550,000.

“That area of Levin is the next happening location,” she says. “It’s close to the new expressway too, for ease of commute to work or Wellington.

“It’s stunning. It’s a beautiful home.”