Construction of the university campus in Durham St takes place beside the last residential house in Tauranga's downtown which has just been sold. Photo/John Borren
Construction of the university campus in Durham St takes place beside the last residential house in Tauranga's downtown which has just been sold. Photo/John Borren
A piece of downtown Tauranga history has been sold to a commercial buyer, ending a 75-year family link with the landmark house at 93 Durham St.
Michael Cassidy declined to be interviewed about his life-long association with the property which was purchased by his parents.
The settlement yesterday of thecontract to buy the 808sq m property coincided with earthworks next door in preparation for construction of a new university campus.
It was the last occupied residential house left in the heart of the CBD and was a throwback to another era in the city's history. The grand old house in original condition with beautiful wood panel interiors sat on a property with a 2015 capital rating valuation of $974,000.
It was an off-market sale and ended a long period of Mr Cassidy receiving approaches from people wanting to buy the property. The sale was handled by Jo Stewart of Bayleys Commercial.
Tauranga Historical Society president Stephanie Smith said the sale was the last reminder of the days when Grey St and Durham St were a mix of residential houses and businesses.
Houses on full and half sections were being pushed further and further out with the commercialisation of the early avenues, she said.
