Owner Neville Gorrie is sad to be selling the Heretaunga Street site after three decades. Photo / Paul Taylor
Owner Neville Gorrie is sad to be selling the Heretaunga Street site after three decades. Photo / Paul Taylor
What might be the oldest continuously liquor-licensed premises in Hastings is up for sale after about 30 years under the current owner.
Neville Gorrie has listed the site on the corner of Heretaunga St East and Karamu Rd, which is currently home to Breakers Restaurant and Bar 2013, with Harcourts.
He said he is sad about letting the site go, but it has become necessary as he lives in Whanganui where he intends to stay for the rest of his life.
"I'm past retirement age, so it's time to move on," Gorrie said.
He made major renovations to the site not long after buying it to give it more of a Spanish Mission look.
Gorrie believes the site has the oldest continuous liquor licence in Hastings, with liquor being sold there for the best part of 150 years.
The Carlton Club Hotel stood on the site from 1882 to 1967 when it was demolished. Photo / Knowledge Bank
"It'd be nice if hospitality stays on that corner, because it's been there so long," he said.
The Carlton Club Hotel was built on the site in 1882, before it was demolished in 1967 to be replaced by the Lion Tavern.
Listing agent Matt Webb of Harcourts said Breakers' lease term ends in mid-2022, after which they have a couple of renewal options through 2028.
He said while they seem pretty set there, and haven't indicated any intention to leave, something radically different could end up there when the lease expires.
Webb said the building's availability is significant because of its history, and the fact it is part of an evolving area of town.
"Even last week, the [Hastings District Council] were talking about what they want to do to the building to beautify it. And it really just fits in with that whole strategic development, they say that Karamu Rd heading up to the library is a key arterial coming right into the heart of Hastings," he said.
"Where else do you get 1700 square metres of property, with car parking, right in the heart of the city."
Fellow listing agent Shannon Caldwell said there are three types of people that would buy the property:
"One that's just going to buy it as a straight investment, someone that's going to buy it as an investment but improve the building over time, or someone that's going to buy and hold, let the leases run down and transform the place."
The deadline for sale, unless sold prior, is March 23rd.
