Ullo, ullo, ullo, the old Whangarei Police Station is for sale.
Stand by for punishing puns on this one, with Pete Peeters and Ross Blomfield of marketers Colliers International already describing it as "an arresting property, a steal for a purchaser with an eye for development" - and the advertising campaign has barely started.
Who will be willing to do wilful damage to their bank balances for this unique property, on the market for the first time ever? A $20 million replacement has been built just over the road on the corner of Cameron and Walton sts.
Unique is certainly the word for any property which includes a block of 11 cells and an exercise yard, but Mr Blomfield says it's a hot property, ripe for conversion (good one, Ross) and development.
The cells are but a small and slightly claustrophobic component of a marvellously solid 1960's Government building, which includes interview rooms, offices, a kitchen and mess, garages and residential buildings (the former police barracks) and the old police bar, says Mr Blomfield.
The freehold 2582sq m site with on-site parking, two street access, and two-storey, 1780sq m building represents a prime CBD re-development opportunity, with its business 1 zoning permitting a diverse range of commercial activities.
Keen buyer interest - even just for the sake of guided tour (or open jail day) - is expected. Mr Blomfield says investor demand for good, centrally-located commercial property has stayed strong for most of the past decade, with the areas around the police stations in high demand with developers.
"Owner occupiers and development investors, especially in the retail sector, are increasingly positioning themselves to acquire quality centrally-located sites with a view to taking advantage of lifting demand," he says.
The property is being sold by public tender, closing at 4pm on December 10, 2010.
Construction began in 1963 and additions completed in 1970, making it the most up-to-date police station in the country at the time. Minister of Police Judith Collins opened the new police station in February 2009.
Old Whangarei Police Station for sale
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