Ponsonby history up for sale

Reporter & Deputy Head of News·NZ Herald·

7 Jul, 2015 05:00 PM4 mins to read

The old Ponsonby Post Office.

A 105-year-old Ponsonby landmark linked to an infamous murder is for sale - one of several high profile historic buildings to hit the market.

One of these, Takapuna's former fire station, has just sold for nearly $15 million to a company with an interest in the rest home business.

The Ponsonby Post Office at 1 St Marys Rd is listed for sale with a CV of $4.7 million but changed hands in 2013 for $4.86 million.

The 651sq m character building is linked to the 1920 murder of Ponsonby's postmaster Augustus Edward Braithwaite. Dennis Gunn, 25, murdered Braithwaite in his home, took his keys and ransacked the Post Office strongroom. He was identified by fingerprint evidence on cash boxes and a recently fired revolver.

It was the first time in the British Empire that the prosecution sought a conviction for a capital crime based almost entirely on fingerprint evidence. Gunn was found guilty at the Auckland Supreme Court two months later and hanged.

The building has been home to the Belgian Beer Cafe and the Skin Institute. QV records list the current owners as David Hough and Katrina Glazebrook.

It is being pitched as an opportunity for hospitality operators, investors and developers - with the potential to run a restaurant and bar or build high-spec residential apartments offering views of the city and harbour.

The property has a historic listing preventing alteration to the exterior, but the interior could be converted.

Harcourts agent Tim Turner said there had been solid interest.

"The market is rewarding owners of heritage buildings who are innovative in their conversions - market conditions make it a good time to add value to existing structures."

The listing follows the sales of several other historic Auckland properties as the city's rampant property market continues its unabated surge.

The former Takapuna fire station has just gone unconditional after selling for $14.3 million to McConnell Clearmont Limited Partnership, according to QV. The company is also the registered owner of Jervois Private Hospital and Rest Home in Herne Bay.

A New Zealand Fire Service spokesman said proceeds from the sale would be "ploughed back" into building and refurbishing other stations.

Meanwhile, the Onehunga Post Office at 120 Onehunga Mall has been sold to an unidentified buyer.

The circa 1900 Edwardian building has a category 2 listing with Heritage New Zealand and rateable value of $1.23 million. It comes with a four-bedroom apartment on the top floor and Columbus Cafe operating below.

Ray White Remuera agent Ryan Dixon said the 587sq m property was sold via tender after a four-week marketing campaign.

The listing of rare Auckland properties was a reflection of the market, he said.

"It is not surprising to see more unique properties come to the market due to the depth of buyers looking to purchase and vendors looking to capitalise on favourable market conditions."

The purchaser would not be identified but said the property was a family trust investment "that will fund our retirement in years to come and provide substantial security for our children's future".

The All Hallows Methodist Church in Campbells Bay has also sold to an unidentified buyer. The church has a CV of just over $2 million but has been closed since late last year after failing an engineer's seismic survey.

1. Ponsonby Post Office

• 1 St Marys Rd
• Historic 1910 building for sale with $4.7 million CV
• Linked to infamous 1920 murder of Ponsonby postmaster

2. Former Takapuna fire station

• 41-43 Killarney St
• Sold for $14.3 million
• Buyer: McConnell Clearmont Limited Partnership

3. Onehunga Post Office

• 120 Onehunga Mall
• CV: $1.23 million
• Circa 1900 Edwardian building with category 2 Historic New Zealand listing
• Sold to unidentified family trust