Restoration project a labour of love

'They did an amazing job' JOELLE DALLY

Stacy Squires

FEATURES RETAINED: Jeff and Amanda Ray, with two-year-old son Elijah, are thrilled to be in their new home.

Stacy Squires

SAVED: Maiden Construction restored this home for the owners Oxford Terrace Baptist Church over the past ten months.

Two grand old homes in central Christchurch have been saved from the wrecking ball.

Quake-damaged duplex houses at 98 and 100 Chester St East have been restored and welcomed their first residents on Saturday, including Jeff and Amanda Ray and their two young sons.

Built in the late 19th century by early settler William Widdowson, the homes are category II listed historic places. Maiden Construction restored the two houses for the homeowners, the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, over the last 10 months.

Maiden Construction manager Greg Bridge, said the project was a labour of love.

Workers repaired plaster ceiling roses, wide cornices, original timber hand rails, Kauri panel doors, roof finials and double hung sash bay windows.

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Restoration project a labour of love