Historic country hotel up for sale

One of New Zealand’s most historic country hotels is set for a new chapter.

The Taupiri Tavern is a destination pub and hotel whose restored, heritage-listed building is a landmark in the small rural town of Taupiri, around 20 kilometres north of Hamilton.

The original hotel was built by William Lovell, who arrived from Ballarat, Australia, at the end of the Victorian gold rush in the late 1800s and bought large tracts of local land. The Lovell family are still prominent landowners, farmers and now residential developers in the area.

The original hotel was destroyed by fire, eventually giving rise to today’s larger, grander building – with spacious bar areas, multiple hotel rooms and outdoor space – which was built near the settlement’s railway station over a century ago.

Current owner Bob Gamble bought the establishment in 2003 and has lovingly restored the building to its former glory.

He is now retiring and putting the profitable establishment on the market at a time when Taupiri is seeing unprecedented residential growth, offering exciting prospects for a new owner.

The land, buildings and business sustaining the Taupiri Tavern, located at 2 The Crescent, Taupiri, are now being marketed for sale as a freehold going concern, by negotiation, through Luke ten Hove and Steve Pett of Bayleys Hamilton.

Ten Hove said assets for sale included buildings with a total floor area of some 705 square metres on more than 1,250 square metres of Commercial-zoned freehold land, with onsite parking.

The main building has a Category 2 Heritage New Zealand Historic Place listing.

It has been extensively refurbished in recent years, including installation of a new roof last year.

Taupiri Tavern features a character bar and restaurant, supported by a full commercial kitchen.

A rear courtyard provides plenty of space for outdoor entertainment and private functions.

The hotel offers nine rooms, made up of five doubles, two bunk rooms, a studio and a unit for those wanting a little extra luxury.

“The Taupiri Tavern is a classic New Zealand country hotel and one of the Waikato’s best loved watering holes," said ten Hove.

"It’s an unmissable landmark in Taupiri, an integral part of the local community and a popular destination for visitors from further afield.

“As a business, it has been an outstanding performer over the past few years and has continued to grow through the challenging times of Covid.

“The business benefits from its multiple revenue streams derived from a great range of food and beverage offerings, hotel accommodation, nine gaming machines, TAB and an ATM.

“Two full-time and one part-time staff have the experience and passion for the business that will allow a new owner the time and freedom to work on evolving and growing the business,” said ten Hove.

Detailed information on business performance and assets is available to potential buyers subject to signing a confidentiality agreement.

Pett said “the stars have aligned” for the tavern’s future prospects, with a number of local developments providing a new owner with opportunities to take the business to a new level.

“The opening just weeks ago of the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway, literally one minute from the tavern, is a godsend delivering a step-change in connections with Hamilton and Cambridge.

“A new highway services complex at Taupiri has upped the game in terms of local amenities, with a BP service station and truck stop, along with McDonald’s, Subway and Taco Bell outlets and a Robert Harris café.

“Meanwhile, Taupiri is seeing massive residential growth, with new subdivisions and numerous housing developments.

“These are bringing new people to the area, including many attracted by more affordable housing options within commuting distance of Hamilton. The Taupiri Tavern is ideally placed to be a focal point for this growing and revitalised community,” said Pett.

A new owner could explore numerous options to evolve and expand the business to capitalise on the new and changing demand, he said.

“There could, for example, be an opportunity to reposition the food and beverage offering to cater to the younger families that are moving in, and perhaps to introduce the likes of a micro-brewery.

“This could help to build on the attractions that already make Taupiri Tavern such a popular destination pub – such as live music, events, and as a rest and refreshment stop for people tackling local walks such as the Taupiri Mountain, Hakarimata Walkway and Kauri Loop tracks.

“Positioned squarely within the Golden Triangle between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, this country hotel is within easy reach of half of New Zealand’s population.

“There’s excellent scope for a new owner to fully capitalise on this location and the improved roading links with renewed marketing to achieve greater year-round occupancy of the hotel.

“Taupiri Tavern is already steeped in generations of history, but as Taupiri grows and transforms this sale presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a new owner to ensure its best days are yet to come,” said Pett.

- Article supplied by Bayleys