Olveston was designed for David Theomin by
London Architect,Sir Ernest George, (1839-1922),
and built between 1904 and 1906.
The Jacobean style, grace and grandeur of Olveston
is distinguished by a wealth of decorative detail.
All thirty-five rooms at Olveston tell a story
of a gracious age.
The home is sited in the inner city and is
within walking distance from the city centre,
being built on an acre and surrounded by garden.
David Theomin and his family travelled extensively and lavished their home with irreplaceable artifacts and priceless treasures.
Bronze, cloisonné and ivory from Japan and Chinese jade and ceramics reflect David Theomin's interest in decorative art from East Asia.
Some 240 paintings and graphics grace the rooms.
Olveston has only ever had one family in residence.
Miss Dorothy Theomin, the sole surviving member of the family,
died in 1966 and the property complete with all its contents,
was passed into the care of Dunedin City.
