A heritage-listed building dating from 1911, which has housed shops, team rooms, a dance hall and even a missionary printing operation, is for sale in Central Gisborne.
The two-storey property, at 26 Peel St, is built in the Australian Federation colonial style, with a large covered veranda deck supporting by iron pillars above the street promenade.
A Heritage New Zealand report confirms the 108-year-old commercial building is the only one of its style in Gisborne. Heritage says the building was designed and constructed for James Erskine, a local baker, caterer and confectioner, whose business was established in 1876.
In 1906 he had local architect, Herbert John Brownlee drew up plans for an impressive building to house Erskine's tea and supper rooms.
"The ground floor accommodated four shops, a refreshments room and dining room, while upstairs was private accommodation and a social hall, which opened to the balcony. Socially it is an important reflection of evolving and increasingly sophisticated socialising trends in Gisborne," says the organisation's report.