Landmark tower goes on market
A concrete water tower linked to the once eerie psychiatric hospital in Rangitikei is up for sale.
The water tower, which has three internal floors, can easily be converted into a bed and breakfast, Harcourts Whanganui real estate agent Rob Bennett said.
The tower along with a pump shed —all that remains of the once brimming hospital—are for sale on Trade Me for $99,000.
More than 100 people expressed interest in the sale within the first few days of its listing, Bennett said.
The hospital, which was once shrouded in complaints of mistreatment, closed in the late 1990s.
The other buildings have been demolished, and the converted into farmland.
Although there was a connection to the old psychiatric hospital, Bennett was confident it would not hinder the sale.
So far there had been a lot of interest expressed from people in the upper North Island, Bennett said.
‘‘I’m really surprised by how much interest there has been.’’
The tower used to supply the old psychiatric hospital with gravity-fed water. Most of its pipes had been disconnected, however its industrial pump remained.
Bennett said the World War II era water tower was unique. Unlike most water towers, the one near the Bulls township had windows lining its three floors. long area
People can access the roof top of the tank via an iron ladder which ran throughout the levels.
From the roof top there were 360-degree views of the surrounding farmland and mountains, Bennett said.
In its current state, the water tower was ‘‘just a shell’’.
There is also enough land included in the sale to build a standalone home.
The tower’s owner, who did not want to be named, was an engineer that had planned to renovate the building.
Although there was a bit of work to be done, Bennett said it could be ‘‘quite an exciting project’’.