Featured Property

7 South Island buildings for sale that could be the most unique homes

Article by Property Press

Ranging from a secluded bach in the bush to a grand old Masonic hall, these unusual buildings from across the South Island are full of potential

7 South Island buildings for sale that could be the most unique homes

The South Island offers lots of options for property buyers who have the imagination and energy to redevelop buildings that have outlasted their original purpose. These buildings often have a lot of unique features that can be highlighted to make really special spaces. Sometimes people have embarked on a project and found it too daunting and this is a chance for a new buyer to unleash their creativity to make something special. There are also properties to offer unique business or lifestyle options too. Here are seven unique places that have potential written all over them.

1. Calling all creatives

Bring your builder and your imagination when you inspect this former church in Ohai, Southland. Work has been started on the interior but now it’s over to someone else to make the most of the generous proportions of the original nave, which has been stripped back to bare bones.

You’ll need to install a kitchen and bathroom but at a guide price of $70,000 there should still be plenty of money left in the kitty to design something perfectly suited to your taste and needs. There are also lovely views of the beautiful Takitimu Mountains that can be enhanced to make this a very special space.

The 1012m2 block offers plenty of room for a garden and outdoor living area. Ohai is 65kms northwest from Invercargill, and 25kms west of Winton.

2. Historic opportunity

Built when Clutha was in the heart of the gold rush frenzy the surviving ground floor of the old Town Hall is oozing with character. The original two-storied stone building was erected in 1875 and the remaining single story has many character features that make this a unique space for development.

There’s a one-bedroom cottage set back from the hall that is ideal accommodation for buyers who want to restore the hall and start a business.

With tourism in the central Otago area at an all-time high, and the popularity of the Clutha Gold Cycle trail, this could be a wonderful opportunity to create a special lifestyle in a beautiful area.

3. Dream big

If you’re looking for a major project you can’t get a bigger challenge than this magnificent Masonic Lodge in Invercargill, built in the Greek Revival style. It is sited on 2024m2 (half an acre) of precious CBD land and opportunities like this are rare indeed.

With features such as the imposing façade, grand wooden staircase, feature windows and 1130m2 of space galore there’s no end to options for making the most of this unique building.

The 1926 lodge, designed by architects Broderick and Royd, has a Category 1 Historic Places listing.

4. Space aplenty

If space is your thing this 1-bedroom barn on the West Coast could be just what you’re looking for. All the hard work has been done with a new kitchen with gas stove and bathroom installed, septic tank, 30,000L water tank and cast iron Fisher fire to keep things cosy.

All you need to do is move in and relax in the open plan living room with high stud and ranch sliders leading to the outdoor entertaining area with views over the Greenstone River.

With just over 2 acres of land there’s plenty of space for you to plant a veggie garden and orchard and enjoy the good life.

5. Back to school

This old school may be a bit out of many buyers’ comfort zone, but someone with vision will see the potential that this 320m2 building in Cobden has to offer.

There’s a kitchen and toilets so all the plumbing and electric connections are in place for a makeover and the old spacious classrooms offer so many possibilities for use of the space.

There’s a double garage with a workshop that will come in handy during the build and the whopping 5432m2 level site is just another bonus.

6. Roll up your sleeves

There’s still a lot of work to be done on this two-bedder nestled on .64ha in the West Coast bush but it will be worth it. The little cottage has exceptional views over the treetops out to the mountains of the Kahurangi National Park and over to the Tasman Sea.

Roll up your sleeves, and be prepared to sort the power, plumbing and electrics.

Then you can tackle the insulation, lining and floor finishes, but at the end of all this work you’ll have made the space uniquely yours and you can relax in the truly serene setting and delight in those views.

7. Go shopping

If this old building in Taylorville could talk it would have plenty of tales to tell of times past. The classic shop façade leads into a number of rooms that can be configured to your needs.

There’s a basic kitchen and bathroom that will be fine to use while work on the interior progresses. You could create a great studio space at the front of the building to make the most of the display windows, with accommodation in the areas behind.