Regional council to sell Whakatane heritage building

The Commercial Hotel, Whakatane. Photo/Google Maps

One of Whakatane's most well-known buildings is set to go on the market later this year, as Bay of Plenty Regional Council announces plans to sell the Commercial Hotel.

Before being sold however, the 1939 art deco portion of the site, which is earthquake-prone and derelict, will be levelled. Then the entire site, including the historic 1917 corner hotel, will be resurveyed and sold.

Both buildings are currently owned by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. It acquired the properties in 2003 when its Whakatane office was at maximum capacity and it was looking at options for staff accommodation. More recently, the corner hotel has been leased while the 1939 building has remained vacant.

The regional council's property manager Annabel Chappell said a key reason for the demolition of the 1939 Hotel was to ensure the preservation of the historic corner public bar.

"Currently the 1939 building is an earthquake and fire risk and we would not want anything to occur which could see the town lose a valuable piece of history, in the corner pub. Although we are conscious that the 1939 hotel holds a special place in many people's memories, it has no real heritage value."

Heritage New Zealand has issued an authority for the demolition work.

Ms Chappell said the regional council had been working with Whakatane District Council on the future plans for the site, and had donated some of the interior fittings which may have some historic value to the Whakatane Museum.

"We want to ensure the sites are resurveyed and marketed in a way that encourages a development that's complementary to the community's vision for the future of the Whakatane CBD."

Whakatane District Council business development manager Roslyn Barlow said the proposed sale of the Commercial Hotel site offered a great opportunity for sympathetic development of the site.

"We have had a number of inquiries about potential development sites in the CBD and we'll be working with the regional council and its agents to ensure that the future development of this highly strategic location contributes to the achievement of our town centre plan," she said.

Demolition is expected to take place in June.

45 The Strand (Corner pub)
- Erected for Bank of New Zealand in 1917
- Included manager's accommodation on first floor
- Two-storey masonry building - corner sites and classical styles were traditionally chosen for banks.
- 1939 became part of the New Commercial Hotel
- Major landmark on the corner site - visible from the main wharf and centre of trade at the time it was built. It was designed to make an impression of solidity and reliability, as befitted a bank.

39-43 The Strand (Art Deco building)
- Existing hotel built as the New Commercial Hotel in 1939.
- Architects Birr and Mirfield from Gisborne.
- Has been vacant since purchased by the regional council.
- Fire and earthquake danger to neighbouring heritage building.