Mosgiel New World breadmaker Richard Milmine (39) bought the villa and had it moved in June from the site where it was built in Cannington Rd, Maori Hill, to a Braeside block in East Taieri.
This week, he invited past residents, brothers Donald (86) and Owen (84) Watson, and their wives Anne and Nolene, to view the villa.
Owen Watson said he was born in the villa in 1929 and was ''amazed'' by the renovation work.
''It was a relief that we didn't have to see it demolished and what they've done is monumental,'' he said.
Donald said when the 1914 villa was in Maori Hill it was positioned badly for the sun and the house was often cold and dark.
''Now, it's around the right way and the sun is streaming in the windows.''
Mr Milmine said the relocation and renovations had been ''a lot of hard work'' but the family had never regretted the decision to relocate and renovate the house.
The work was delayed by rain and a problem with the moving truck, but NJL Builders had ''gone the extra mile and back again'' to ensure the work was done right, he said.
The renovations included a new kitchen, laundry, a second toilet with a recycled pull-chain toilet, a doubling of the area of the original bathroom and relocation of a fireplace between bedrooms so that a wardrobe could be built.
The project, however, had not stayed within budget, Mr Milmine said.
''What's a budget?'' he said, laughing.
The builders worked on the villa for two months before the family took over the project.
The three children living in the house, Danielle (16), Gemma (14) and Cory (12), were ''loving'' the villa, he said.
A digger arrived on site this week to start landscaping work. It is hoped the project will be completed in time for the villa's centenary next year.
