A 1960s building in Sydenham that was home to the Christchurch Operatic Society for many years is set to go under the hammer on 27 March at Colliers in Christchurch.
The niche ‘as is where is’ building at 253 Colombo Street is being marketed by Investment Sales Brokers Courtney Doig and Marius Ogg of Colliers Christchurch.
With a floor area of 490sq m, it sits on 787sq m of land in the tightly held suburb of Sydenham.
Adjoining the corner of Angus Street, the building consists of a single level structure, with former mezzanine areas and generous car parking.
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It is currently a near clear shell.
“This is a unique opportunity for astute investors, owner-occupiers, or developers to purchase an add-value property in a sought-after, growth location,” Ogg says.
“Sydenham is undergoing strong residential growth and repurposing of old industrial premises for new uses, making it an increasingly desirable area.
"It’s only just over 2km south of the CBD, close to the main arterial of Brougham Street, and surrounded by great amenities, including The Colombo shopping centre to the north.”
The building was designed and built for the Operatic Society to use as their rehearsal and performance space from 1967 to 1997.
Since then, it has been used for several commercial activities, including an office and maintenance workshop and as a temporary preschool for 30 children.
It was subsequently sold to a developer who had resource consent for backpacker and retail accommodation, but a change of plan saw it bought by church group Trinity South Christchurch Property Trust in 2018.
With strong demand for high-profile land and add-value projects, Doig says this is a blank canvas to either undertake one of the planned repairs for the existing structure, start afresh with a new proposal, or demolish and build new. Engineering and design work by the current owners has brought the building up to 100 per cent of NBS.
Doig says the current owners have spent considerable time over the past three years on a design for a church/community centre.
Their plans include a 220-seat auditorium, a foyer/lobby area with commercial kitchen of around 160sq m, the same amount of office space upstairs, and five on-site car parks.
“The design brief was to provide a building with flexibility of use so the front section and/or upstairs could be sublet for offices with their own access and toilets.
"The building could even incorporate retail or a cafe and restaurant in the front section and warehousing at the rear with the correct resource consents,” Doig says.
The sale will include fully consented plans and detailed strengthening designs with an extension on the start date of 7 February next year.
“This is such a sought-after suburb.
"Last year I sold a former post office along the road at 148 Colombo Street. It was heavily contested with multiple offers. Similarly, we negotiated a nearby building on the corner of Barrington and Milton Streets that attracted two dozen inspections,” Doig says.
Zoned Residential Medium Density, the site is subject to a proposed zoning change to Medium Density Residential, providing more flexibility for the future.
- Supplied by Colliers
