One of Whanganui's more notable central city buildings is being offered for sale.

The former National Bank on Victoria Ave is for sale by tender with tenders closing on August 11.

The building has been vacant for a while after ANZ group shifted all its services to the new site across the street.

According to the rating information the building has a capital value of $1.27 million.

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It has a category II rating with the Historic Places Trust but the real estate agent handling the sale says that hasn't deterred interest from prospective buyers.

John McCarthy, NAIHarcourts commercial consultant in Palmerston North, said there had been "a good, strong response" since they started marketing the property nationally.

"People who buy these types of buildings do so because they recognise them for what they are - classical, heritage buildings," Mr McCarthy said.

The Trust has two categories for historic places - category I for places of "special or outstanding historical or cultural heritage significance or value" and category II for places of "historical or cultural heritage significance or value".

It has a floor area of more than 800 sq m over three levels including a basement, ground floor and first floor. It was built in 1930 by Fletcher Construction at a cost of 26,000 pounds.

Mr McCarthy said engineers reports have assessed the building seismic performance to be in the range 35-45 per cent of the National Building Standards. That rating meant the building did not need any major structural work to bring it up to earthquake standards.

He said an "information memorandum", which outlined all the detail of the building, had been sent out to a number of prospective buyers.

When the National Bank brand came under the ANZ banner in September 2012, the bank said both branches - almost directly opposite each other in Victoria Ave - would remain in business.

But last July ANZ announced its two branches would move into the new premises on the corner of Victoria Ave and Maria Pl.