- The listing of 90 Beach Road, Kaiapoi, has stirred fond memories of its past as the Island Motel.
- The property, popular in the 1960s and 1970s, could be restored as an events venue.
- It currently generates $163,000 annually as rental accommodation, with potential for redevelopment.
The sale of 90 Beach Road, in Kaiapoi, Canterbury, has warmed the hearts of many Kiwis who remember fondly as the “flashiest” motel in the region and the number one place for weddings and birthday parties.
Start your property search
The two-storey property is better known to locals as the Island Motel, and it was immensely popular with holidaying Kiwis during the 1960s and 1970s. It was also an ice cream pitstop for those making their way to The Pines Beach for the day.
Bayleys agent Angela Webb said the listing had stirred up a lot of memories. “It’s sparked interest just in the short time it’s been on the market,” she told OneRoof.
The Island Motel was converted into residential flats in the 1980s. Photo / Supplied
“There are so many fond memories from Christchurch people of this property from back in the day when it was the place where everyone went to dinner, or got engaged or had weddings.”
The restaurant and dance floor closed down in the 1980s and the adjoining motel rooms were converted into 12 flats.
The building looks very different from 50 years ago; it has been painted grey and the swimming pool has been filled in. It’s also no longer on an “island”, which gave it its name, as one of the two roads it was once sandwiched between has disappeared.
The property has changed hands several times since it was a motel.
The current owners purchased the property as an investment after the Christchurch earthquakes and have strengthened the building to bring it up to code. Some of the tenants have lived there since before the Christchurch earthquake in 2011.
Discover more:
- Whangārei’s famous castle for sale - but it won’t cost ‘millions and millions’
- Couple sit back and pocket an extra $460,000 in the space of 12 minutes
- Tiny island where everyone knows your name and houses cost less than $500,000
Webb said the property could continue to be run as rental accommodation returning a rental income of $163,000 a year, but could also be turned back into an events venue.
“It would be amazing if someone bought it and restored it to what it used to be,” she said.
“The restaurant and dance floor are still there. Apparently, the wishing well in the restaurant is still in the corner. There’s the potential for someone to do something very cool there.”
Twenty groups had attended the first open home last weekend and many had a connection with the old motel, she said.
The flats return a combined rental income of $1630,000 a year. Photo / Supplied
Some of the tenants have lived in the units since before the Christchurch earthquake in 2011. Photo / Supplied
“People were coming along to have a look because they remember it from their childhood or buying ice-cream there. We had some people who had relatives who owned it or ran the property – that kind of situation, but then also looking to buy it for the return because it’s got strong income.”
An old photo of the Island Motel on the Christchurch Memories Facebook page complete with a Singer car parked in front of it has sparked a lot of memories.
Several people commented that it was the “flashiest motel they knew”, while others said taking a Sunday drive and stopping there for ice-cream or afternoon tea was a popular thing to do.
The property is located between the towns of Kaiapoi and The Pines Beach.
- 90 Beach Road, Kaiapoi, Canterbury, goes to auction on February 20
