Elizabeth House was built before World War 1, as a private residence called Clarisford. It was designed by leading Christchurch architect, Samual Hurst Seager in 1914 and built for solicitor Mr SG Raymond Esq.
A section of sub divided land from Robert Heaton Rhodes, Elmwood Estate was used for this two story mixture of brick, roughcast, half–timbering and tile home.
Built in a style described as Old English / Free Tudor, Clarisford was sold 8 years later to Brewer Charles Louisson. Mr Louisson lived there for 7 more years before he in turn, sold Clarisford to another businessman, a merchant named Howard James. In 1934 Mr James sold off some of Clarisfords land and then sold the residence with the remaining land to Archibald Firth who was the last owner to use it as a private home.
In 1954 Clarisford was put up for sale again and caught the eye of Wilfred Peers, president of the Canterbury Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society. The society was one of four, collectively called Patriotic Societies, that were searching for business premises. The other 3 societies were the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship, the Navy League and the English Speaking Union.
Wilfred Peers was able to persuade the members to purchase the property, so the Societies pooled their resources to meet the cost of £12,848, each one of these organizations holding an equal share. It proved to be a very compatible joint ownership. Extra space not being used was let out to help pay the mortgage.
It was at this point that the Societies sought and gained approval from Queen Elizabeth to rename the house after her and Elizabeth House was born.
Elizabeth House became Government House for a brief period in 1965 when Sir Bernard and Lady Fergusson, were in residence. To meet the outlay and general outgoings the four owners spent many years fundraising until eventually in 1986 it became freehold.
The Treleaven Family Trust now proudly own this lovely property and now 94 years after it began as Clarisford, Elizabeth House is still opening its charming doors for wedding receptions and luxury accommodation, offering guests the opportunity to step back into time of architectural grandeur.
