Council Cafe's character chambers

The historic frontage of 46 Canada St, Morrinsville, remains 'unchanged'.

A 1930s' character building, originally constructed as the Morrinsville Town Council chambers and now housing the popular Council Cafe & Bar, is to go under the hammer next month.

The Municipal Chambers premises at 46 Canada St in the Waikato town's centre comprise a 426sq m single story building occupying a 1787sq m freehold site in the commercially-zoned part of Morrinsville.

Council Cafe & Bar, which operates a fully licensed cafe during the day and bar/restaurant at night, is the sole tenant paying annual rent of $43,680 on a new lease through until 2019.

"The business caters to a diverse local clientele - including regular live music nights and private function bookings," says Josh Smith of Bayleys Hamilton who is marketing the property for sale by auction at 11am on Thursday October 6.

He says the building housed Morrinsville Town Council staff and council meetings between 1934 and the early 1990s before the administrative body was absorbed into the Matamata-Piako District Council and its function was transferred to new premises.

Smith says the property has numerous possibilities ranging from a passive investment through to developing more space for hospitality and food and beverage operations.

"An extension of the existing lease would create immediate value for the asset and there's also the potential to redevelop either side of the building or the rear of the premises, which has substantial driveway access down both sides of the building and extensive customer and staff car parking at the rear.

"The 44 car parking spaces exclusively available for clientele of the Council Cafe & Bar business, is of immense benefit to the tenant - as patrons don't have to search the road for parking availability, which can be a premium during weekdays.

"Subject to council consent, additional space could be created in any direction. This would expand the existing floor space, and allow for the potential catering of bigger functions.

"A bigger premises would also sustain the establishment of a dual hospitality service - segregating part of the premises into a dedicated bar operation, while simultaneously sustaining a separate dining zone. This could support the business growth objectives of the tenant or future tenants by increasing the range of products they could offer under one roof."

This aerial view shows the potential development space on either side and rear of the building.

Smith says there's also the possibility of expanding the current 50 person outdoor seating capacity by adding new courtyard space down either side of the building.

"Erection of a marquee styled covering and heater pylons would allow for year-round customer satisfaction - keeping the drinking and dining environment warm in winter and cool in summer," he says.

The Canada St property consists of three separate buildings and has a council rating valuation of $825,000 - comprising $455,000 for the building and $370,000 for the land.

Smith says the front of the heritage building dates back to the original council chambers. "The facade looks exactly the same now as it did 82 years ago - even with a flag pole erected over the double-width wooden entry doors."

This part of the building has timber flooring and brick walls with a reinforced concrete parapet. In 1995 a number of internal walls - which defined the various mayoral and councilors' offices, as well as the public debating chamber - were removed, and steel framework inserted to meet engineering standards.

At the rear of the building are two newer single story structures built in the 1960s using a reinforced concrete wall construction method.

Smith says a full engineer's report on the Canada St property is available to prospective purchasers.