- The historic Trinity Presbyterian Church in Nelson is for sale.
- Auckland-based Soho Group bought the site and built 38 social housing units around the church.
- The heritage-listed church building requires preservation under the guidance of the heritage board.
A historic church that’s shaped Nelson’s skyline for over a century has hit the market for sale.
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The former Trinity Presbyterian Church, which closed its doors to worshippers in 2015 due to rising maintenance costs and falling attendance, is being sold off by an Auckland developer that specialises in social housing.
Soho Group bought the 4203sqm site on Nile Street for just under $1.8m in 2020 after the Presbyterian Church applied to the High Court to remove a deed dating back to 1849 that had thwarted a previous attempt to sell the property.
The developer has used the land around the former church to build 38 social housing units, and has decided to sell off the historic building now that its development is nearly complete.
The former Trinity Presbyterian Church closed to worshippers in 2015. Photo / Supplied
Auckland developer Soho Group has built 38 social housing units around the historic Nile Street building. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys listing agent Gill Ireland told OneRoof that the church was heritage-listed. “Any works that are done have to be done under the guidance of the heritage board to make sure that it’s preserved,” she said. “So you are very limited to what you can actually do with the exterior and the interior.”
Ireland said the spire in particular was iconic. “It’s very special to Nelson. Everybody sees that spire. I see it from my house. A lot of people do,” she said. “And the church is steeped in so much history. We need somebody to come along and bring her back to life.”
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The property is for sale by way of tender, closing November 17.
Soho Group told OneRoof that its units – 14 one-bedroom apartments and 24 two-bedroom apartments – would be available next month. “We will have 38 local families who are either homeless or rough-sleeping who will be provided with an affordable, safe, and dry home,“ said Larissa Bridge, chief executive officer of Home in Place, a not-for-profit community housing provider. “We have a building manager on site to manage any anti-social behaviour and provide appropriate support.”
Bridge said the project had been thoughtfully designed to respect the historical significance of the adjacent church.
Also up for grabs in the region is the historic Gables estate. Photo / Supplied
OneRoof contacted Soho Group managing director Sam Wallace, but had not heard back at the time of publication.
In nearby Tasman, another historic building has hit the market for sale. Ray White agent Daniel Reed has listed The Gables, a landmark estate built in 1864 by pioneer John Palmer.
The six-bedroom property at 398 Waimea West Road, in Brightwater, has, according to the listing on OneRoof, benefitted from a five-year restoration project, with the house “completely rebuilt within its historic shell”.
The Gables, which sits on 2333sqm and has ties to former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer, is being pitched to buyers looking for a grand family home or accommodation providers on the hunt for a boutique B&B. It is for sale for $1.85m.
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