Wellington workshop ready to clock off

The present Harvie Panelbeaters Ltd premises, at 21 Vivian St, Wellington. Photo / Supplied

Wellington panelbeater Alan Harvie is reluctantly selling his inner-city workshop property, with brokers citing "the obvious development potential".

The present Harvie Panelbeaters Ltd premises, at 21 Vivian St, has for 40 years housed a business pioneered by Alan Harvie's family.

Now Bayleys Wellington will sell the land and buildings via a tender process, closing at 4pm on Wednesday May 16.

"The original business dates back much further, in fact, to early last century, when my father and grandfather were known for their coach and car repair services," says Harvie.

"They used many premises around Wellington over the years but we've operated our panel-beating and spray painting business from the Vivian St site since the 1970s."

In 1938, his grandfather E.C. Harvie was president of the NZ Coach and Motor-body Builders' Industrial Association of Employers and a man widely-known for championing the auto industry."The auto business has changed significantly over time with cars becoming more complicated to repair due to the types of materials they're constructed from and the computerised technology that's standard in vehicles now," says Harvie.

"There is still a definite demand for the panel and paint service we offer, however my son who has been managing the business for the last 12 months, is relocating to Melbourne so sadly, it's time to wind the business up."

Mark Walker of Bayleys Wellington says the north-facing property's central area zoning has a 27m height limit which could open the door to multi-level construction.

"This freehold property will be sold vacant; it worked well for the auto business given the easy access and a yard providing customer parking at the front," says Walker.

"But the city is evolving in this part of town with an upsurge in apartment buildings and commercial premises and the demise of small service-related providers so there's plenty of opportunity for a new owner.

"One thing's for sure – they're not making any more land like this in Te Aro."

Walker says the existing 1960s-era, high-stud, workshop building is 428sq m and sits on a 582sq m site with 10 car parks. In its current guise, the property has an assessed potential net annual rent of $75,717. The capital value is $1,600,000.

"This portion of Vivian St is part of State Highway 1, and the main arterial route from the motorway throughout Te Aro leading on to the Basin Reserve, Mt Victoria tunnel and the airport," says Walker.