Now, one of Central Otago’s most celebrated hospitality precincts is on the market for offers over $15.5 million.
The Olivers precinct traces its origins to 1869, when merchant Benjamin Naylor opened a store for the region’s gold miners.
The eight-building complex carries Heritage New Zealand’s highest classification, category one.
The Lord Clyde hotel across the road, with its own 150-year hospitality history, is included in the sale, along with the lodge, restaurant, brewery, cafe, the couple’s home and all chattels.
Mr Ritchie had spent years in corporate life, travelling constantly overseas.
Both of the couple’s children had finished school and after more than eight years in Auckland, they wanted something different. They had been visiting Central Otago for years and loved the region.
Mrs Ritchie, with a background in fine arts and a passion for art, design and history, said they talked about finding somewhere unique.
"Perhaps a cafe, or bookshop. We wanted something that’s a project. A commitment," she said.
What they found needed serious work. Some buildings were derelict, there was no heating, and water had to be installed.
"We knew if we took it in bite-size chunks, we could do it," Mrs Ritchie said.
It was a matter of saying "OK, let’s just work our way methodically through it and see what we create," Mr Ritchie said.
"It was also just fun along the way," Mrs Ritchie said.
They worked with conservation architects and tackled the restoration in three phases. First the lodge and stables, operational within nine months. Then the barns, converted into the family home. Finally, the restaurant, cafe and brewery, all running within five years. Every building was brought to 100% of the new building standard.
The tradespeople were central to it all.
"The builders and tradies, how they all worked together and collaborated was amazing," the couple said.
The precinct had always been an integral part of the community, Mrs Ritchie said, and it gathered stories along the way.
Local woodcrafter Jim Robbie, a close friend who had since died, helped Mrs Ritchie restore the headboard in the coach house by hand.
"He did a lot like that for us," the couple said.
Then there is the small stone dog on the windowsill, named Oliver. The previous owner had given the figure to a local, with instructions to return it when the time felt right. He arrived at the Ritchies’ door and said: "I think the time is right now. You’re doing a really good job".
Oliver has sat on that windowsill for over 12 years.
"The whole property is made up of all these stories," Mrs Ritchie said.
The courtyard ranked among their favourite spots.
"On a good day, it’s just stunning," Mr Ritchie said.
"Even in winter, you just want to be out here."
The gardens has lavender, roses and peonies, and hollyhocks that opened almost on Christmas Day on the dot, a detail guests adored.
"It’s a rambling cottage garden which we love," Mrs Ritchie said.
Locals embraced them from the start, and international visitors followed. Australians, Americans, French, Dutch and British guests made up a strong contingent last season.
"We’re very fortunate that we meet so many locals too," Mrs Ritchie said.
Both embedded themselves in community life. Mr Ritchie served as chair of the local heritage trust; Mrs Ritchie chairs the Clyde Museum.
"That was a big reason," she said of the draw to the property’s history.
"But it’s definitely deepened since owning the property."
In 2019 the couple expanded, buying The Lord Clyde in partnership with Mrs Ritchie’s sister Victoria Hansen, who runs it today. At peak season the combined operation employed 40 to 45 staff.
After 16 years, Mr and Mrs Ritchie were ready for a different chapter, with plans for more family time and travel.
Clyde, they noted, was the place they had lived the longest.
"When we look back on what we did 15 years ago, there’s not much I’d change," Mr Ritchie said. "We’re really happy, and that’s quite a good thing."
For any prospective buyer, Mr Ritchie said the character of the place mattered most. "Everything’s got great character and we’re in such a nice, tight-knit community. It gives someone an opportunity to really embrace their own vision and just have fun too. They’ll be very fortunate indeed."
Mrs Ritchie’s advice was simple.
"More than anything you just need the love and strong interest for the place. To respect the buildings and the community they sit in, and just have fun being a part of it all."
