Hawke's Bay's grand ole lady of Bluff Hill for sale

The W.J.Rush designed house for sale in Napier. Photo / Supplied

House-hunters are being given the chance to be part of Hawke's Bay's architectural history - and get a great sea view to boot.

A rare residential work of renowned "Arts and Crafts period" Hawke's Bay architect W.J. Rush has been put on the market for sale in Napier.

The four-bedroom property at 507 Shakespeare Tce, also known as 'Surfin', on Napier's Bluff Hill, was built in 1910 and Bayleys sales agent Delwyn McLeod said the "grand old dame" carried all the hallmarks of Rush's work.

"Solid rough-cast plaster, terracotta 'Marseilles' tiles and elegant character features throughout."

'Surfin' was solid and robust and would make a home to be proud of, he said.

The Auckland-based vendor was now looking for someone new to breath new life into a property that had stood the test of time.

William J. Rush (1872-1965) is more widely associated with the lasting architectural legacy around Havelock North, having designed original buildings at Iona College, Hereworth School and Woodford House.

Rush's Hawke's Bay work also includes Rush Cottage, located at Black Barn Vineyards in Havelock North, which was originally built as a shepherd's quarters on Te Mata station for the Chambers family in 1912, but is now used as luxury accommodation.

The architect's work features prominently in a Havelock North architecture-based heritage tour.

The Shakespeare Terrace property would be sold at auction at 2pm on October at the Crown Hotel Ahuriri.

The OneRoof website shows the property last sold in December 2015, for $505,000.