Demolition of the century-old former Masterton Central Fire Station in Queen Street has created a buzz of excitement among some business owners.
The gutting of the building, situated across the road from Regent3 Cinemas, began several weeks ago and on Wednesday an excavator began razing the rear of the building.
Machine operator
Paul Sayer said an older rear brick section of the two-storey structure had been swiftly reduced to rubble in a matter of hours and the building frontage would be demolished just as quickly from Monday. He said that as a matter of safety and convenience for shoppers and nearby business operators, the frontage would be razed in either the early morning or at night.
Cafe Strada owner Victoria Meo said some lunchtime diners had come indoors to finish their meals, but there had been no complaints about the dust and noise. "The dust was a bit annoying, but what are you going to do? It's going to be over soon and anyway, it's exciting you know, because it's making room for a new building."
Masterton property developer Florus Bosch said there are no immediate plans to begin building on the site, which will form part of an 1800sq m site that includes a neighbouring parcel of bare land.
The existing vacant lot next to the former fire station building had been occupied by Waggs garage and automotive showroom - known until a few years ago as the South End Mart - which neighboured the Dalgety's Building to the south.
Wairarapa archivist Gareth Winter earlier told the Times-Age the Central Fire Station had originally featured a small stable at the rear and that succeeding second-hand car dealers had occupied the South End Mart building since 1924.
