Deadly quake a ‘lucky’ break

A twist of fate it may be, but the owners of an award-winning Christchurch bach have the devastating earthquake that struck the city in February 2011 partly to thank for their success.

As voting gets under way in this year’s annual Bookabach Bach of the Year Awards, news has surfaced of the Christchurch property –Maison du Soleil – named as the gold winner in the urban category of the 2017 awards.

Public voting is an essential part; voters are encouraged to register (https://bachoftheyear.co.nz/) and vote for the 2018 awards – and be in to win $10,000 worth of bach getaways.*

In 2011, the house that had stood on land Maison du Soleil now occupies was destroyed in the city’s second earthquake, a disaster in which 185 people died, thousands were injured and which wreaked widespread damage throughout Christchurch and Lyttelton.

Owners Danielle and Nigel Skjellerup could only watch on helplessly as the house was wrecked beyond repair: “It was very upsetting,” says Danielle.

In the midst of their despair, the couple decided to embark on a plan they had long thought about: “We had had a long term plan to knock it over,” she says. “The house was a rental at the time but we always intended to rebuild and establish accommodation on the site.

“The earthquake provided us with the opportunity; it was,for us, a positive outcome from a disaster.”

The couple, who have been in the short-term accommodation business for more than 20 years, own and operate 11 baches (including Maison du Soleil), most also in Christchurch. Danielle works as a piano teacher (Nigel is an anaesthetist) and says the rebuild took three years.

“It was fun, but very hard work. Building in Christchurch after the earthquake was a quite demanding and intense process. But I saw an opportunity to make something interesting and when we won the award I felt very proud, quite spellbound really.”

Maison du Soleil, French for ‘house of the sun’, is located on the outskirts of central Christchurch (Maison du Ciel or ‘house of the sky’another bach owned by the Skjellerups  is next door). A unique and charming urban property it is situated in a quiet location, yet is only a five minute walk from shops, cafes and restaurants.

Befitting the Garden City style, the grounds are beautifully landscaped with expertly trimmed topiaries and an Aphrodite fountain taking pride of place in the front garden.

Once inside guests find stylish, two bedroom accommodation with full kitchen, washing and drying facilities, a heat pump and panel heaters in the bedrooms. Double glazing adds to the warmth and the peaceful ambience.

A supermarket is nearby and a little further afield is the Wilding Park Tennis Centre and The Palms Shopping Mall.

Guests are lavish in their praise. “We thought the house was lovely,” said one. “The no cleaning fee and bed linen included was a real bonus and freed us up to have a good look around Christchurch. Well done.”

Others say Maison du Soleil would be their choice of stay every time in Christchurch: “We love this property. The added extras,especially the kitchen and laundry supplies are awesome, the beds are very comfortable and the house is wonderfully warm and cosy.”

*Gold, silver and bronze awards are given in eight categories with a Supreme Winner chosen as Bookabach Bach of the Year from the best of the eight category winners.  To vote -and to see a list of 2018 finalists - go to the campaign website: https://bachoftheyear.co.nz/