Bar, restaurant explodes onto market
‘‘Another historical feature of the building is the Dynamite Bar, a concrete-enclosed "tomb" with reinforced doors.’’
A bar and restaurant complex which was originally used for administration and storage facilities during the construction of the Karapiro Power Station and dam has been placed on the market for sale or lease via expressions of interest.
The property at 401 Ariki St, Karapiro, is just a few hundred metres from the dam and lake. In previous years the property housed the Power House cafe´, restaurant, bar and conference centre.
Now the 716 square metre food and beverage premises sitting on some 1,131 square metres of flat land has been placed on the market for sale or lease through Bayleys Waikato, with expressions of interest closing at 4pm on October 19.
The main cafe´ floor area is 496.5 square metres, with some 75 metres of additional front deck seating offering an uninterrupted view of the lake and the Maungatuatari Mountain in the backdrop.
The dining area features high stud, exposed beams supporting wood roof trusses, and polished wooden floors, while a smaller lounge bar room contains an area for plush leather style seating and couches facing onto a large alpine stone gas fireplace surround and its own private bar with stool seating.
When operating, the venue had been consented to serve 80 diners. It also has an adjoining room providing seating for 50 conferences guests, weddings and birthday and anniversary celebrations to name but a few. This room features a screen and projector facilities.
The property also comes with an upstairs self-contained 95 square metre two-bedroom owner/managers flat. The cafe´ and restaurant are serviced by men’s and women’s toilets, including a wheelchair-accessible amenity.
Another historical feature of the building is the Dynamite Bar, a concrete-enclosed ‘‘tomb’’ with reinforced doors. It was used to house explosives for the construction of the dam. Also houses a large Chubb reinforced safe where the detonators and fuses were stored.
Bayleys Waikato salesperson Blair Hutcheson said the food and beverage venue had operated since 2008 under the present own- ership - most recently as the William’s cafe´ and restaurant and gift shop trading seven days a week.
‘‘That leased food and beverage business ceased operating recently, so all fittings and chattels are being sold on an ‘as iswhere is’ basis – although they were all functioning when last used. There is no good-will value attached to the business, and no current liquor license,’’ Hutcheson said.
Out back, Hutcheson said the commercial-grade stainless steel kitchen featured a 7.5 square metre walk-in chiller unit with shelving, a combi’ oven, hot plate section, large oven, overhead grillers, and deep fryer – all under a full length stainless steel extraction canopy hood with fans.
Waipa District Council has been instrumental in increasing the number of sporting events taking place on Lake Karapiro, strategically extending the length of individual competitions so that both competitors and spectators stayed longer in the region. The council has seen revenues grow from both powered and nonpowered camping sites adjacent to the Lake Karapiro Domain.
Waipa District councillor and Lake Karapiro Mighty River Domain manager Liz Stolwyk said she wantedto see longer events being staged on the lake as that benefits everyone - from the accommodation provider, to eateries, and retailers.