Although Jamie Phillips and Daniel Jack lived in Hornby, suburban Christchurch, they had hankered after a move into the country for many years.
Early in 2025 they decided to turn their dream into reality, and began looking at lifestyle properties in Central Canterbury.
On their ‘possibles’ list was a Coalgate log house, built in 1991 and listed for sale by Sarah van Hoof of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Darfield.
“We knew it was available and we definitely like places with character, although we thought Coalgate might be a bit far away. Still, we decided to look anyway.”
Initially it wasn’t love at first sight, but that changed the moment they heard the story of the house.
“I bawled my eyes out. I could tell that this was the place for us. Once I knew, it was an instant connection,” says Jamie.
It was the home’s history, shared during the viewing, that cemented their decision. Looking back, Jamie and Daniel say Sarah’s knowledge of the property helped them fully appreciate its story. “10/10 – Sarah knew all about the property,” they later reflected.
Vicky Frost’s husband Bill had built the house, alongside a couple of builder friends. Bill was a truck driver and driving instructor who went on a log building course with the country music star John Grenell in Whitecliffs. Inspired by the course, Bill took Vicky to Hanmer to select suitable Douglas Fir trees. Once those were logged, the couple hosted a bark peeling party of chainsaw wielding friends and family to prepare for the build. With West Coast rimu to line the ceiling, after two years Bill and Vicky were living in their forever home.
Unfortunately, the Frost’s ‘forever’ was cut cruelly short in 2013 when Bill died. A member of the Coalgate community board and township committee, as well as the log house, Bill’s legacy lives on in a playground he helped establish for the local community, marked with a plaque in his memory.
Vicky stayed on for another 13 years, but last year she decided it was time for a change and brought in Sarah to find a new owner.
Jamie and Daniel’s offer met Vicky’s expectations and, in January this year, they moved to Coalgate with their son Jordan. Although there are still a few jobs to tackle, including some time on the weed whacker, they are delighted with their new home.
“Waking up surrounded by all that wood gives a real sense of comfort and friendliness. How the house is made is incredible.”
They enjoy being across the road from the stockyards and are already getting to know their neighbours. Jamie owns a hair salon in Templeton and Daniel works for Meadow Fresh in Sockburn, making the daily commute an easy trade for coming home to their unique rural retreat.
Once they have the house and the rest of the property sorted, they plan to build a large shed, where Daniel and Jordan will keep and work on race cars and classic cars, an interest the two of them share. There’s also a cottage plus a tunnel house in the garden, both of which will benefit from a bit of love. They want to take on some chickens, while goats, or maybe pigs, might feature in the future. If and when the work is done, evenings on the deck, foothill views, and winter days warmed by the fire are also all in prospect.
Sarah is delighted to have helped the couple realise their lifestyle dream.
“This is a delightful home, with a great story to tell. Its timeless, beautiful construction combines warmth and space. To find it new owners, so willing and happy to cherish its wonderful character and live its next episode, is fantastic,” she says.
For a home built with such care, its next chapter could not be in better hands.
View the sold listing > Click here.
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