Three residential properties in Christchurch formerly owned by late musician George Stewart have
Three residential properties in Christchurch formerly owned by late musician George Stewart have sold for a combined total. The sales conclude a chapter for the local music figure, which was marketed heavily around the sheer volume of accumulated belongings left behind on the sites.
Property Sales Break Down Across Christchurch Suburbs
The largest transaction centered on a four-bedroom house at 10 Ruru Rd in Bromley. That property fetched $500,000 against a capital value of $550,000. Aerial views of the address showed overgrown grounds and piles of possessions surrounding the structures. A detached garage and cluttered grounds characterized the listing, which urged buyers to look past the condition.
A second property at 1/18 Bordesley St in Phillipstown sold for $350,000, falling short of its $405,000 capital value. The site featured piles of debris, branches, discarded tyres, scrap metal, and household items covering the grounds. Marketing for the address carried the headline “Storage Wars – House + Everything Inside.”
The final parcel, a two-bedroom townhouse at 1/25 Cumberland St in Richmond, traded for $335,000 compared with a capital value of $385,000. Advertised under the headline “Buy It All, Keep It All,” the townhouse also featured assorted belongings piled around the rear courtyard and garage.
A Musical Legacy Across Christchurch Venues
Stewart was well-known in Christchurch creative circles for playing unconventional instruments, including the musical saw, harmonica, whistles, and bones. His musical history stretched back to at least 1969, when he performed with the Mainland Hoedowners at the National Banjo Pickers Convention in Ngāruawāhia.
He later performed with the George Stewart Trio, Colonial Fare, and the Kokatahi Band, while becoming a familiar face at venues like the Richmond Club and the Empire Hotel in Lyttelton. Christchurch music enthusiast Stephen Reed noted that he first heard Stewart playing the musical saw on Plains FM in the early 2000s, later tracking down an LP titled Turkey In The Straw. Stewart died at The Village Palms Rest Home on July 8, 2024.
Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.