Brewery home for sale
The Waikato Draught green building on Bridge St, Hamilton, has been put up for sale by owners Tristram Properties.
A New Zealand brewery’s historic Hamilton home is for sale.
The large green Waikato Draught building, which sits at 14 Bridge St, has been put on the market because the owners, Tristram Properties, are looking to raise capital for a future project.
The 363sqm building has been the off-and-on home of the beer manufacturer since it was built in the late 1800s, Tristram Properties’ Roger Cotter said.
‘‘We bought the building about nine or 10 years ago because of its location. It’s one of those buildings that will always have a tenant. It has a lot of great character as well. There aren’t many buildings that you can have such an affiliation with – it’s not like other industrial buildings.’’
The Hamilton brewery was founded in 1887 and run by Charles Innes until he was declared bankrupt in 1888. In an unprecedented move for the time, his wife Mary Jane slowly took over the management of the multiple breweries he owned.
In 1889 Mrs Innes took over control of the Bridge St company, then named Waikato Brewery.
Under Mary Jane’s guidance the companies became successful and the family went on to help shape Hamilton. They started a soda company directly opposite the brewery in what is now The Meteor and also donated a significant amount of money to the city for development of land around Lake Rotoroa. The donation was so appreciated that part of the land was renamed Innes Common.
Former Waikato Breweries director Paul Honiss said the building also had a lot of history within Hamilton,
‘‘I worked there for 40 years and during that time it was a full brewery. We were brewing Waikato Draught, Waikato XXXX and Rheineck. At the time we were Waikato Breweries which was a subsidiary of LD Nathan and Company, then it was bought by Lion Breweries.
‘‘When the business sold they moved the brewery offices, and Hamilton City Council CEO Michael Redman moved his old business into the building. Some time later Mr Redman moved out and Waikato Breweries decided to move back in.’’
Colliers International director Alan Pracy said the building had a Heritage B ranking,
‘‘Basically that means you need to preserve the exterior of the building, so you can’t go around putting up aluminium or anything. However, with the interior you can change it around and do it up as you want.’’
Number 14 Bridge St is leased until September 2012 with rights of renewal for another nine years. Its rent is $70,500 a year and the building is on the market for $885,000.
Location: Koromatua is an established rural community just west of Hamilton. It is only 10 minutes west of the Hamilton CBD and sits beside Temple View. Agents say the area offers attractive rural views and views of Mt Pirongia.
Featured property: 57 Koromatua Rd is a unique property because it offers waterside living from its three-bedroom house which overlooks a lake. The two-storey 207sq m house sits on a 5000sq m section. It has two bathrooms, two living areas and a double attached garage.
There is an additional lakeside building which includes a workshop. The lake has wild turtles and birdlife – so you can swim, fish, sail or kayak without leaving the property. 57 Koromatua Rd is on the market for $595,000.
Expert word: ‘‘People are looking for quiet and private rural properties with close proximity to town,’’ said Ray White selling agent Ivan Sherburn.
‘‘People feel this area offers bet-
57 Koromatua Rd offers waterside living at its three-bedroom house which overlooks a lake.
57 Koromatua Rd ter value for money than the north/east areas of Hamilton – you get more for your dollar in this area.’’
Inside word: Tracey Ellis moved to the area 12 years with her husband, Alby, to be closer to his work. ‘‘(Alby) worked at Church College and we were given one of the school’s homes to live in. It’s a good community out here, it’s predominantly Mormon. Even though that’s the case we still aren’t protected 100 per cent from things like stealing but I would still say it’s a lot safer than other suburbs.’’
Recent sales: An Eyre Rd property sold last July for $564,000; the 2ha section had a 190sq m 1980s home. A Kakaramea Rd 250sq m 1970s brick home on a 6569sq m section sold for $465,000 last February.