The land and buildings which formerly operated as a privately-run aged care facility, then as the hub for a multi-purposed community services hub - along with a stand-alone residential dwelling - have been placed on the market for sale.
The property in the centre of prosperous Waikato township Matamata was originally configured to operate as a rest home – with 23-bedrooms sustained by a commercial kitchen, dining room, multiple lounges, reception area, and administrative offices.
The core structure of the commercial building comprises an angle bay colonial villa built in 1916 consisting of five-bedrooms, three-bathrooms and a large reception parlour.
Two single-storey extension ‘wings’ were added in the 1980s to expand the building’s floor space, which enabled the venue to operate as an aged care facility.
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More recently, the venue accommodated the not-for-profit professional counselling, education, and social service organisation Starfish Social Services.
Delivering community services supported by Government agencies including the ministries of Social Development, Youth Development, and Education, Starfish Social Services works with local youth at risk and their families – providing counselling, peer mentoring, youth leadership, homework study groups, school holiday activities, and anger management programmes.
The 4,760-square metres of flat land is split across two titles – with the 690-square metre commercial premises sitting on some 3,830-square metres of land, and the neighbouring 135-square metre residential component of the property sitting on some 930-square metres of land. The three-bedroom home was built in the 1980s and has a separate garage.
The property also has sealed parking for almost 30 vehicles for staff and clients.
The prime freehold land and buildings at 15 Gordon Terrace in Matamata are now being marketed for sale by tender through Bayleys Hamilton, with the tender closing on December 8.
Salesperson Josh Smith said the property offered a raft of development opportunities for any new owner looking at undertaking various degrees of refurbishment, and was being sold with vacant possession.
“The homestead commercial portion of the property has all the office infrastructure required to ensure it could continue as a community services destination. Alternatively, it could be converted back into a boutique private aged-care facility, and could just as easily operate as a childcare facility, or it has the existing infrastructure to operate as a backpackers or short-stay accommodation provider,” said Smith.
“From its early days as an aged-care facility, the homestead has wheelchair access to the entry foyer and reception area, with wide internal corridors leading off that space.
"The commercial property is surrounded by a considerable amount of grassed lawn areas on three sides, which could easily be fully fenced in to accommodate shaded playground amenities for a child-care centre.
“The configuration of the commercially structured villa means it could also be converted into a multi-tenanted healthcare or medical clinic facility – bringing together a range of independent medical and healthcare providers and practitioners under one roof.
“Meanwhile, the stand-alone two-storey residential dwelling which is located well away from the homestead is surrounded by lawn and garden spaces to deliver a comfortable degree of privacy to residents.
"From a commercial perspective, the home could be utilised as owner/managers accommodation to support activities in the bigger neighbouring property.”
Situated at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac just a short distance from Matamata’s central business district, the Gordon Terrace address is zoned residential 9A under the matamata Piako District Council plan, and has access to a shopping centre hub from the rear of the property.
Smith said it was also conceivable that the homestead, which is subject to a Category 2 Historic Trust classification, could be converted back to a large family home – with or without the extension wings.
The other home could be let as a rental property, or subject to council consent, could be subdivided off into a separate title with substantial land holding.
As a rural services township with a population of some 8,500 residents, Matamata’s businesses derive much of their income from the dairying, equine, and cropping sectors of primary industry, along with tourism linked to the Lord of the Rings Hobbiton.
- Article supplied by Bayleys
