‘‘Kawarau’’ was commissioned by Alex McGeorge, whose luck and hard work in the gold-dredging business made him a wealthy man. PHOTO: WAYNE MAGEE : Life’s been golden in grand dame

When the house was split into flats, the original veranda was enclosed in an asbestos-tile lean-to. The current owners hoped to save the veranda, but too much had been removed and much of what was left was rotten. PHOTO: SUPPLIED : Life’s been golden in grand dame

Richard says the kitchen, installed by previous owners, was probably what sold he and Anita on the house. ‘‘We could see the extended family in that big friendly space.’’ PHOTO: WAYNE MAGEE : Life’s been golden in grand dame

The front sitting room has a pressed metal ceiling with gold accents, and a classical-style frieze. PHOTO: WAYNE MAGEE : Life’s been golden in grand dame

Originally a billiards room, the living room features wood panelling on the lower part of the walls. : Life’s been golden in grand dame

Kawarau was built in 1901. : Life’s been golden in grand dame

The original tile floor in this bathroom was a lucky find. The builders discovered it after lifting the floorboards. : Life’s been golden in grand dame

Despite the house having been converted to multiple flats, the stairs had survived intact. : Life’s been golden in grand dame

The conservatory is home to all sorts of greenery, including tomato plants. PHOTOS: WAYNE MAGEE : Life’s been golden in grand dame

The sofa and armchair in the main bedroom came from the owners’ previous property, a modern, all-white house that was very different to this one. : Life’s been golden in grand dame

Once one of three kitchens, this room was gutted and converted to a nursery. The arched window is a recent addition. : Life’s been golden in grand dame