Gates swing open on Mona Vale’s Gothic house

A major transformation has restored the Mona Vale Gatehouse to full former glory.

Gracing one of the entrances to the larger Fendalton homestead and gardens, the Category 2-listed building was badly battered during the 2010-11 earthquakes.

The Mona Vale Gatehouse has been restored.

However, an extensive programme of work has saved and strengthened the two-storey gatehouse, built in 1905.

“Today, the gatehouse symbolises the city’s renewal,” Christchurch City Council Operations Manager, Garden and Heritage Parks, Nicky Brown says.

“The intricate restoration and attention to detail have ensured that the Mona Vale Gatehouse is back to its best, and stronger than ever,” Ms Brown says.

Much of the work has involved deconstruction and reconstruction. The exterior brick masonry walls have been deconstructed to the first floor level, strengthened with reinforced concrete columns and a reinforced concrete beam at the top.

The porch steps and floor have also been rebuilt.

The ground floor has been relevelled while a palisade wall now stabilises the building and prevents lateral spread to the nearby stream.

The Marseille tile roof has been stripped and the roof plane strengthened with the installation of a ply diaphragm. The tiles have been reinstated, including the terracotta roof ridge finials.

A rare example of Decorated Gothic-style architecture of the late 19th century, the building has been completely refurbished and upgraded and a sunroom rebuilt.