[7] 10,000 acres of Fairburn's purchase was gifted to James Reddy Clendon in compensation for land taken in Russell for use by the Crown as the new capital of New Zealand.

[9] David Laurence Nathan (1882-1944) initially purchased the Manurewa property as a summer retreat for his family, spending winters at their primary residence, St Kevens, on Karangahape Road.

[11] By 1919, the Nathan household had expanded significantly with the births of four children: Lawrence David Jose (1910), Jacqueline (1911), Dennis Raoul Hillel (1912), and Frank (1918).

[12] The growing family's needs, coupled with rising maintenance costs and increasing commercial encroachment around St Kevens, led to the decision to make their Manurewa property, known as The Hill, their permanent home in 1920.

[16] However, David Laurence Nathan’s attachment to his garden and his children’s preference to stay at The Hill prompted the decision to rebuild on the original site.

[17] Architect Daniel Boys Patterson designed the new house and water tower, and Thomas Clements of Otahuhu was contracted for construction.

[22] Over time, the Nathan family dispersed, and Simone, who had been interested in the Zionist cause for years, decided to immigrate to Israel to live with her son John in 1959, where she died in Jerusalem in 1974.

Rising rates on the Manurewa side made farming increasingly unviable, leading the Nathan brothers to subdivide that portion of the land, which was developed into the suburb of Hillpark.

[24] Although none of the Nathan brothers residing in Auckland wished to live at The Hill, they were determined to preserve their father’s cherished garden and native bush.

[27] In May 1967, Manukau City Council joined with the Auckland Regional Authority to purchase the remaining 209-acres (84.6 ha) of the Nathan farm, with transfers made early in 1968.

This work included removing office partitions, restoring oak paneling in the foyer and staircase, and adding leaded lattice window panes and antique door handles to enhance the building's historic character.

The upgrades include fire safety and emergency lighting improvements, better accessibility features, seismic strengthening, and the installation of an interior lift to ensure the building meets modern standards while preserving its historical significance.

[31] Nathan Homestead, designed by Auckland architect Daniel B. Patterson and constructed between 1923 and 1925, is an architecturally significant residence blending Tudor, Arts and Crafts, and Bungalow influences.

[33] Key architectural details include a hipped and gabled terracotta tile roof with four prominent brick chimneys and half-timbered bays on the north and east sides.

Verandahs on the north and east sides have tiled concrete floors and brick piers, while a stone-supported portico shelters the main entrance.

[38] Situated on a portion of Nathan's extensive farm, the garden integrated pastoral and bush settings, offering expansive views across the farmland.

[38] In the early 1960s, as part of the subdivision of land surrounding the homestead, the Nathan family decided to offer the house and eight acres of its gardens and bush to the Manurewa Borough Council.