Age finally catches up with longstanding landlord

The former Napier Fire Station is for sale but owner Guy Natusch hopes it will once again be a design centre. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Retired Napier architect and landlord Guy Natusch is selling his historic Tennyson St building, until recently the home of the Art Deco Centre.

"I'm at a venerable age where I can't be bothered to continue the battle to have it let to who I think it ought to," he said.

"I want to do something for Hawke's Bay but there has been a huge amount of procrastination and eventual delay from people at all levels.

"We were nearly successful with a major farming business but they were unable to meet the time line, but are still interested."

It was designed in the Prairie Style at the height of the Art Deco design era by local architect and designer of many renowned Napier buildings, JA Louis Hay.

Built in 1926 by the Napier Fire Board, it housed the fire brigade until 1968 when Mr Natusch bought it.

"It was derelict and I thought, 'this is a good building - we could make a design centre out of it'."

His plan was successful and the building was fully tenanted.

"It really was a very nice anchorage at that end of town.

"Then I let Art Deco come into it, because they had nowhere to go."

The 92-year-old said the Art Deco Centre had expanded over the years to become the main tenant, but had moved to be closer to tourist attractions on Marine Parade.

He was reluctant to add to the partial tenancy himself, unless it was a tenant "that helps Napier".

Property Brokers agent Wayne Parsons said the building could once again be a multiple-tenanted centre and Mr Natusch said the Historic Places Trust was keen to work with the building's new owner, to ensure its viability.

"Any changes need to be proposed to the Historic Places Trust for their consideration, it then depends on what aspects of the building they would like to protect," he said.

A full seismic report would be available to prospective purchasers as well as costings to improve its current High Grade C rating, if desired.

Mr Natusch said he would not have bought the building in the first place"unless it was structurally sound and a good investment".

The property's land area is 1,029sq m, floor area 811sq m (partially tenanted) with 18 car parks.

Mr Natusch said he plans to attend the October 17 auction in person.