Couple save heritage building

AFTER a suspenseful auction and a few days' haggling, a Wanganui couple are the proud owners of nearly 1500 square metres of magnificent Edwardian building.
Bronwyn Paul and Mark Simmonds bought the 1912 Wanganui Club building in St Hill St last month, after it was passed in at auction. They intend to move their business, Wanganui Security, into the Historic Places Trust Category 2 building.
Ms Paul said they bought the place mainly to preserve it, having heard that one prospective buyer wanted to demolish it and sell the bricks for $7 each in Wellington.
"It's a real piece of Wanganui's history. I want the community to feel a part of it," Ms Paul said.
The two went to the May 14 auction knowing how much they had in a pre-approved mortgage, and with friends prepared to offer more if necessary. When they saw developer C.J. Efstratiou walk in they were terrified he was going to bid for the building they had fallen in love with.
The Wanganui Club was the first lot offered in the auction. Mr Efstratiou did not bid and it was only when the property was about to be passed in at $400,000 that Mr Simmonds put his hand up.
Everyone else had dropped out by then. After several days' negotiation, Mr Simmonds and Ms Paul got the property for $520,000.
It was right at the limit of what they could afford and she estimated it would cost another $200,000 to finish the renovations.
Future tenants are Wanganui Security, Wanganui Chamber of Commerce merged with the Employers and Manufacturers Association, and Wells Instrument and Electrical Ltd. The Wanganui Club still has about 100 members and will continue to meet in its own rooms several times a week.
Other rooms could be let out as offices and storage and for functions, and one at the back will become a staff gym.
One of the first things the new owners will do is remove the four plane trees at the front of the building.
"Their root systems are undermining the concrete where the pillars are. We can't let those pillars go. We will replant with something else that doesn't have invasive roots," Ms Paul said.
A tour of the club is like going back in time. There are rings for hitching horses set into a back wall, a huge old gas stove that still works and a meat safe. In the upstairs back section are 12 small bedrooms, where club members stayed the night and "ladyfriends" were not allowed. Names and 1930s dates are pencilled on  a door.
TELL US: The Chronicle would love to hear from members and visitors at the club during the 40s, 50s and 60s. Do they remember the names of the various rooms? Do they still have objects from the club?