Kymin/Belvedere Villa, 1906-

A Historic Journey of the Kymin/Belvedere Villa

The historic Auckland kauri villa known today as Belvedere actually began its life as Kymin,  in Tauranga, New Zealand (1906). Originally commissioned by Reverend William Barnett, Tauranga’s first Baptist minister, the villa was constructed on a prominent block of land between 12th and 13th Avenues, bounded by Cameron and Devonport Roads. Designed by architect Mr. A. Ager from Canterbury College's School of Architecture and built by contractor J. B. Chappell, the house was described as "a handsome and commodious villa" fitted with the latest conveniences. "Modern" in 1906 meant a high-pressure boiler, a tiled-back range in the kitchen, a columned verandah, six-inch bevelled kauri weatherboards, block architraves, and Muranese leadlight glass windows.

The villa was built in the Second Empire style, characterised by its distinctive turret and widow’s walk, reflecting a blend of Victorian influences. The Second Empire style, originated in France during Napoleon III's reign (1852–1870) and spread internationally in the 1860s and 1880s. It is not widespread in New Zealand but there are a few notable examples.  The style includes a steeply sloped roof with two pitches on each side that allows for extra living space in the attic, often with dormer windows (a Mansard roof). It typically emphasized symmetry and verticality, often featuring a central tower or a prominent section that adds a grand, imposing appearance. The style is very ornamental detailing, with brackets under eaves, elaborate window surrounds, and cornices, as well as features like tall, narrow windows and doors with arched tops. Many Second Empire homes include turrets or towers, sometimes with a "widow's walk" or ornamental iron railings, adding to the vertical emphasis and decorative appeal. The Kymin,  evidenced this in its turret, widow’s walk, and ornate detailing. 

When first built, it was elaborately described in the Bay of Plenty Times.  From this description we can summarise the following features and dimensions.  

1. Entrance Hall: 3.5m by 2.6m, featuring a diamond-pattern zinc ceiling with a 23cm decorative cornice. There are three Murano windows.

2. Drawing Room: 4.9m by 3.8m, with a Venetian bay window. The ceiling matches the style of the entrance hall.

3. Study: 4m by 3.7m, located next to the drawing room and sharing the northward view.

4. Bedrooms: Three bedrooms are located along a passage on the eastern side of the villa. Dimensions for each are not specified.

5. Dining Room: 5.5m by 4.4m, with an octagonal bay window offering views to the north, west, and south. The windows are topped with amber Murano glass fanlights.

6. Stair Hall: 3.7m by 3m, connects to the entrance hall and leads to a passage with additional rooms.

7. Passage Area: Off the passage, there is a pantry and an additional bedroom on the left side.

8. Kitchen: 3.7m by 3.5m, includes necessary cupboards and a Scott Bros. tiled-back range. The kitchen is well-lit with an oriel window.

9. Scullery: 3.5m by 2.7m, located adjacent to the kitchen.

10. Bathroom: 3.4m by 2.4m, fitted with a porcelain bath, lavatory, and other modern conveniences.

11. Tower: On the first floor, accessible via a staircase. It has circular windows providing views to the north and west. The top platform of the tower is surrounded by an iron railing, offering a panoramic view of the neighbourhood and town.

12. Additional First Floor Rooms: There are two more bedrooms on the first floor, described as spacious with high ceilings.

13. Fireplaces: All fireplaces are fitted with tiled grates, carved mantels, and connected to a boiler providing hot and cold water throughout the house.

14. Exterior Features:

A columned verandah on the north and west sides. The walls were clad with bevelled weatherboards, painted in stone colour with accents in Venetian red, green, and slate. Detailed with block architraves, mouldings, brackets, and dentils.

Ownership and Relocations

The villa remained in the Barnett family for many years. After Reverend Barnett's death, the house was passed to his daughter, Annie. Following her death, her husband remarried and built a new house on the property, selling Kymin due to financial constraints during the 1930s.

In the mid-20th century, the house was sold to Dr. Thomas Stewart, a local physician. Dr. Stewart had no immediate family and bequeathed Kymin to his housekeeper, Miss Olive Davis. Miss Davis later married Maurice Munro, a Tauranga businessman, and the couple lived in the house until the 1960s. By this time, the surrounding area had become increasingly commercialised, and the Munros decided to relocate the house due to development pressures, including interest in the land from Woolworths.

In 1965, Kymin was moved approximately 1.6 kilometres to a new site on 5th Avenue, Tauranga, where it was renamed Belvedere. The Munros continued to reside in the villa until their deaths in 1988 (Mrs. Munro) and 1991 (Mr. Munro). Following their passing, the house was inherited by their relatives, Murray Gibson and Barbara Leighton, who eventually sold it.

In the early 1990s, the villa was purchased by new owners, Jerry Guest and Cheryl Hindle, who trucked it in sections up to Warkworth, Auckland.  After residing in Warkworth for nearly a decade, Belvedere was sold again and moved for a fourth time to its current location in Greenhithe, Auckland. Shelley Bakhuizen, who purchased the house in 2008, undertook further restoration efforts, repainting the villa and making various stylistic updates to ensure it retained its historical appeal while accommodating modern conveniences.

• Original Location (1906–1965): 12th and 13th Avenues, between Cameron Road and Devonport Road, Tauranga.

• Second Location (1965–early 1990s): 5th Avenue, Tauranga. Renamed Belvedere during this period.

• Third Location (early 1990s–early 2000s): Pulham Road, Warkworth, Auckland.

• Fourth Location (early 2000s–present): 9A Olwyn Place, Greenhithe, Auckland

Architectural Features and Restoration

At each stage of its life, Kymin/Belvedere has retained key architectural features from its original design. The kauri villa still showcases its Second Empire turret and widow’s walk, Muranese windows with diamond-shaped leadlight glass, and a pressed-tin ceiling in the entrance hall. The interior includes kauri floors, bay windows, and wide wooden wall boards. Restorations in later years have respected these elements while incorporating necessary updates.

In Greenhithe, Shelley and son Luke Bakhuizen restored the villa’s exterior in Resene’s “Tana” accented with “Alabaster” and landscaped the surroundings. The front door still framed by the original Muranese windows, while the entrance hall still displayed wooden wall panelling and a high stud ceiling with diamond-patterned pressed tin. Other renovations include an updated country-style kitchen with granite and kauri benches, and the addition of modern amenities such as a heat pump.

The upper floor now houses the master suite with a walk-in wardrobe, en suite bathroom, and a private balcony. Other original features include claw-foot baths and attic storage space. The turret remains accessible, offering a view from its widow’s walk, framed by the original ornamental iron railing.

As at 2010, Belvedere, located on a 4029 square metre property in Greenhithe, was listed for sale again by the owners, the Bakhuizens