Historic Akaroa pub for sale
It’s one of the Akaroa’s distinctive buildings – partly because it’s so pink – and now it’s for sale.
Chez La Mer, originally Akaroa’s first pub, is on the market.
The hotel was established in the early 1870s by Antonio Rodrigues, who came from the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean.
Hotel Madeira opened in 1907 next door to the original. The original, known as Chez La Mer, is a backpackers’ hostel.
Expat Americans Roy and Sarah Borrelli have owned the property since 2003. They bought it when they moved to Akaroa from New York. With two young children, the couple were looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.
Sarah Borrelli said the building received a lot of attention over the years.
‘‘If I had a dollar every time a tourist took a picture of it I’d be a millionaire,’’ she said.
The Borrellis painted it pink because when they arrived in Akaroa the town was multi-hued. Sarah Borrelli said that had changed since they moved in.
‘‘When we first arrived at Akaroa a lot of the buildings were really colourful. The bank used to be white with pink and purple trim, the museum used to be a beautiful green colour.
‘‘But a lot of people started painting their buildings beige and colours like that. Everything was getting really bland.’’
The building was barely damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes, but remedial work done.
The Heritage New Zealand category 2 listed building sits on a 477-square-metre section that has gardens, garaging, storage, two street fronts and is 100 metres from the beach.
Norman Middleditch, Engel from had some and Paul Harcourts Grenadier, are selling the property and think its most redeeming features are its surrounds and history.
‘‘Look where we are and look what we’re sitting in front of. This fantastic wee gem just a block away from Akaroa’s beach,’’ Engel said.
‘‘We’re actually sitting in front of what is Akaroa’s first pub so really it’s a landmark building here in this pretty town.’’
German backpacker Johanna Harding, who was staying at Chez La Mer last week, agreed.
‘‘I really like the place; it’s so beautiful to be near to the sea and everyone is really nice here,’’ she said.
‘‘I can see three or four siblings buying the property as their holiday home. I can also see someone keeping it as a backpackers and running it as a backpackers, a restaurant, there’s a load of options there,’’ Middleditch said.
The backpackers staying there were not included in the deal, although Canadian Vernon Toews said he would stay for the right price.
‘‘If you want to spend an extra $100,000 then yes, I do [come with it]. Just for Vernon’s company.’’
Chez la Mer comes up for auction next Thursday.