Wairarapa church with development potential
A former Catholic church and presbytery on a significant parcel of land for sale in the heart of the Wairarapa offers potential buyers a host of exciting opportunities.
St Mary’s Church in Carterton is prominently situated on the corner of High Street (State Highway 2) and King Streets, on a 3673-sqm site surrounded by restful mature plantings, reminders of its heyday as the local Catholic parish church since 1932 before its closure in 2018.
The property for sale is zoned Residential and includes two buildings: St Mary’s Church, an earthquake-prone, Gothic-style building constructed of reinforced concrete which has a heritage listing with the Carterton Council and a wooden villa-style administration building.
David McHattie and Ben Moorcock of LJ Hooker, Masterton, are marketing the church property for sale by tender, closing at 2pm, Thursday February 24, 2022, with a price guide of offers from $800,000 upwards. An Information Memorandum is available including LIM and an engineer’s report.
McHattie says this rare 3673-sqm re-development or subdivision site lends itself to a large number of very exciting opportunities.
‘‘The church’s 300sqm (or so) of floor area features outstanding stained-glass workmanship, crafted beams, brilliant stone masonry, and soaring ceilings.
‘‘Such an awe-inspiring Gothicstyle building could be showcased in a multitude of ways, accommodating numerous ideas,’’ he said.
‘‘Consider a Grand Designs type of residence, apartments, add a mezzanine floor for an eclectic commercial enterprise - a brewery or alehouse, fashion house, restaurant, boutique hotel, function venue, health spa, art gallery, educational facility, offices ...’’
The approximately 200sqm church administration building, previously also used to accommodate the parish priests could resume that residential function with some amendments, or potentially be sold for relocation, he said.
McHattie said that, considering the size of the property, the excellent high profile State Highway Two location within the quintessential heart of Wairarapa, and the good number of existing carparks, the commercial development implications are evident - subject to Council approval for a zoning change.
‘‘If both buildings are removed, this expansive site lends itself well to the likes of trendy townhouses, apartments, through to motel-type development (if consented).’’
Peter McCardle, chairman of the Wairarapa Catholic finance committee, who is managing the sale of the property on behalf of the diocese said that parish priests had been asked to review their properties with a view to making financially realistic decisions that will enable Catholics to better focus on sharing their faith rather than being absorbed in maintaining very old buildings.
‘‘The decision to sell St Mary’s church at Carterton was an obvious one as it has been labelled earthquake prone and it would need major works to bring it up to standard.
‘‘Instead, the diocese will use some of the proceeds of the sale to upgrade and repair two other churches at Masterton and Featherston,’’ he said.
‘‘There is a diverse range of options for the potential purchaser of this property which is located within a popular tourist and winegrowing region. They might even want to keep the church.’’
$46,790
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