The beautiful Neo-Georgian/Georgian Revival styled home was constructed for highly decorated Kiwi soldier Phillip Lyell Bennett and his family in 1930. Heritage records note the dwelling is the only large Neo-Georgian style home from the 1920-‘30s period in New Plymouth.

Original owner Philip Bennett was born in Nelson in 1898 before moving to New Plymouth and joining the New Zealand army in 1914 – seeing World War One service in the Middle East, Gallipoli, and France. Commissioned as an officer in 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross medal for bravery.

Bennett returned home to join an insurance company and had the distinguished-looking homestead at 91 Belt Road built in a style befitting a gentleman. Bennett re-joined the New Zealand army in 1940 in the rank of captain - returning to desert conflict in the Middle East where he was wounded and sent back to New Zealand to recuperate.

After recovering from his injuries, Bennet again took up military duties as a staff captain posted in Fiji where he was steadily promoted. In 1944, the now lieutenant-colonel Bennett was awarded the Distinguished Service Order medal for bravery during the Battle of the Green Islands against the Japanese just north of the Solomon Island Group.

At the conclusion of World War Two, lieutenant-colonel Bennett returned to New Plymouth where he sought the peace of the gardens in his beloved two-storey Belt Road residence – enjoying time lovingly tending its gardens and lawns.

The Neo-Georgian/Georgian Revival architecture style Bennet sought for his home is based on the building style dating back to England between 1714 – 1840 when four kings, all named George, reigned in succession. Homes designed under the style are graciously proportioned along lines of understated elegance and based on symmetry - with gabled roofs, large multi-pane sash windows often with faux shutters on the external walls, and elaborate doorways… all of which are seen in abundance throughout the Belt Road home.

The property was purchased in 1958 by young up-and-coming lawyer Manning Reeves who joined the family-run legal practice St Leger H Reeves & Sons before going on to become a partner in one of New Plymouth’s foremost legal firms, Reeves Middleton Young - now known as Connect Legal.

Manning Reeves and his wife Ann remained in the 260-square metre home for the ensuing 63-years - raising a family of six children in the elegant four-bedroom/three-bathroom/three-lounge manor, and only moving out recently to relocate to a retirement village in Auckland.

Now the resplendent home at 91 Belt Road is being marketed for sale at auction on 17 June through Bayleys New Plymouth. Salespeople Neale Parkinson and Sarah Brooker-Smith said the stately manor was one of the city’s finest homes – enjoying a near regal like presence on some 1,636-square metres of flat land with lush lawns, a sunken rose garden, and mature trees whose fruit the young Reeves children enthusiastically picked while mum Anne cooked home-made jams and preserves.

“Entry to the home is through an imposing portico-covered front door with colonnades at the end of a grand pathway leading from the front gate – creating an aura of by-gone grandeur and elegance,” said Neale Parkinson.

“The home’s lower-level features two large living rooms and two dining rooms – one of which is the home’s original formal dining space. One bedroom with en-suite is located on this floor. Upstairs are the remaining three bedrooms and two bathrooms.”

Neale Parkinson said generations of the Reeves family enjoyed years of happy times running around the home’s extensive gardens and jumping into the sparkling inground swimming pool – which even had its own pool house.

“This home has delivered decades of pleasure for the Reeves family, but the time has come for a new family to enjoy the history, character, and charm of this distinctive residence harking back to a bygone era, yet full of modern features – from the kitchen through to the bathrooms.”

“It’s easy to see why lieutenant-colonel Bennett found so much peace and serenity at the home and its gardens at the end of his stellar military career.”

Click here for more information on the listing.