A majestic early-settler style homestead on a generously-sized park-like lifestyle block near a bustling seaside township – prime for conversion into a rural wedding and functions venue – has been placed on the market for sale.
The six-hectare property at Kaimarama just south-west of Whitianga on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula started off as a purely residential dwelling – comprising a stately two-storey farmhouse residence built in 1909 and transported to the site from its original location in suburban Auckland in 1991.
Over ensuing years, the property evolved into becoming a commercially-operated recreational hub - complete with a series interconnected lofty timber climbing poles and suspended wire ropes.
Simultaneously, a 70-tree avocado orchard was planted which matured to produce enough fruit to service the local foodservice and grocery sectors.
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Over the years though, the orchard has been somewhat neglected – requiring some horticultural attendance to return it to a productive state.
In more recent years the property’s commercial activities were mothballed as the five-bedroom/three-bathroom home was substantially renovated and modernised back into a private family dwelling of lodge-like proportions.
The property is located just seven kilometres from Whitianga township.
Now the home and land at 49 Kaimarama Road is being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Whitianga, with the tender process closing on October 26.
Salespeople Josh Smith and Belinda Sammons said the character of the dwelling combined with its surrounding infrastructure and sizable landholding, would appeal to a range of different buyer niches – particularly amongst purchasers with a hospitality inkling looking for a wedding and function venue to service the greater area.
“The layout of rooms on the ground floor, surrounded on three sides by a classical verandah which steps down into the ambling garden areas, could work as a function venue – particularly with the ability to easily accommodate a function marquee on the front lawn which sits adjacent to a substantial vehicle parking spaces and looping driveway entrance,” said Smith.
“Alternatively, the configuration of rooms within the property means it could easily, subject to any necessary council consents, operate as a B ‘N’ B style accommodation provider – with the ability to market itself along the lines of being located in a serene rural location yet still handily located to the amenities and attractions of Whitianga,” he added.
“Looking at another option, with a land expanse of flat open topography, there is the opportunity to add additional recreational or corporate teambuilding type amenities – such as a few holes of pitch and putt golf, a petanque court, swimming pool or spa cabana, archery or axe throwing range, or drone racing course.
“The ‘bones’ of what were the clip and climb style high wire climbing recreational attraction remain in place, and have the potential to be reinvigorated and even expanded to offer a wider range of challenges.”
Additional outbuilding infrastructure on the property – which has formerly been used to service the adventure activities business and for the storage of avocado pruning and harvesting equipment and machinery – includes four shipping containers with high stud shade covering in between them.
The property also has garaging for up to four cars or recreational vehicles, as well as a stand-alone portacabin currently used as a home gymnasium but also suitable as an office space, and a separate two-bay implement shed.
Sammons said the home’s current owners had tastefully created a comfortable family dwelling ready for immediate occupation without any need for redecoration or remodeling work – with five double bedrooms, multiple lounge areas, and dining spaces overlooking the wrap-around ground floor decking,
“In a ‘turnkey/move-in state’ the home could easily be kept in its current residential format, or for a new owner with a passion for gardening there is plenty of scope for undertaking landscaping of the surrounding lawns and gardens to add personal recreation amenities such as an alfresco living space with wood-fired pizza oven or fire pit, installing a putting green, creating children’s playground, or construction of a pool and spa haven,” she said.
- Article supplied by Bayleys
