- A yoga instructor purchased a former Brethren church in Wairoa for close to $250,000.
- Vendor Tony Connell praised the buyer, noting the church's suitability for yoga classes.
- Connell is still seeking a buyer for his neighbouring home, priced at $319,000.
A former Brethren church in Wairoa has been snapped up by a yoga instructor for close to $250,000.
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Vendor Tony Connell, who lives next door, said the new owner of the gospel hall building on Lahore Street was perfect.
“It’s an ideal neighbour to have. You don’t want a party house.”
A kitchen, bathroom and laundry have been installed in the reception area of the former church to create a one-bedroom apartment. Photo / Supplied
The new owner plans run her yoga classes from the hall. Photo / Supplied
Connell, who is a fruit and vegetable wholesaler, moved to Wairoa four years ago and picked up the church and adjoining hall.
He converted the former into a one-bedroom studio and turned the latter into a five-bedroom home, which he lives in.
He decided to sell both earlier this year so he could head off on another adventure.
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PGG Wrightson agent Kimberly Bell, who had both listings, managed to hook in a buyer for the church, which was built in the 1930s.
Connell said his new neighbour had outgrown her existing premises and had been looking for a new place to run her yoga classes.
“It was a natural fit. The buyer turned up to the first open home, and it was clear she was really interested.”
The former church, with its large hall and ample off-street parking, provided the perfect space.
The neighbouring building has been tidied up and turned into a five-bedroom home. Photo / Supplied
Two fireplaces have been installed and insulation added to make it warm and cosy. Photo / Supplied
Connell had installed a kitchen and bathroom in the reception areas of the Gospel Hall, but deliberately left the hall as one large space.
Connell said he was still holding out for a buyer for his home next door at 8A Lahore Street, which has an asking price of $319,000.
Connell told OneRoof earlier this year that he moved to Wairoa from the West Coast looking for a new adventure.
“I was 65 in 2021, and I thought, 'Do I want to live and die on the West Coast or go somewhere else where the climate is a bit milder?'”
He said of his decision to buy the Lahore Street properties: “I think a little bit outside the square and thought this is a bit better than buying a suburban box, so I bought it as a challenge.
“If you can buy it right and do it right, there might be a modest return for you and a bit of an adventure.”
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