Waikato ‘icon’ on market
There’s unlimited potential attached to this well-known property in sought-after Tamahere, according to marketing agent Rex Hadley.
‘‘Up for sale is Waikato icon Gail’s of Tamahere, which includes 2.3562 hectares of freehold land with a commercial overlay and a separate second title of 5790sqm (more or less). The options and opportunities here are unique and boundless,’’ Hadley says.
‘‘The property has resource consent for weddings and events and has seating for 200 guests. It’s an untapped market for tourist activities, has paved parking for 55 cars and five buses, current on and off liquor licences, and features a stunning fully restored historic church.’’
Gail’s of Tamahere, scene of countless weddings, functions, events and tourist groups for more than 30 years has been a labour of love for vendor Gail Jones.
She bought the property 35 years ago to grow flowers for Gail’s florist shop in Hamilton, and that expanded into supplying the floral classes she began running. Tourist groups soon flooded in too, and today there are 2.8 hectares (about seven acres) of landscaped gardens.
The now-famous 1867 church on the property, complete with beautiful leadlight windows, was relocated from Thames and reconstructed specifically for drying flowers; a wooden building is a must for this, Gail says.
Soon people were asking to use it for weddings, and the couple, who had already treated the charming threebedroom character home on the property to an extensive reconstruction, then added a commercial kitchen to cater for weddings and functions, also the walk-inwalk-out restaurant.
A stunning setting within the gardens, complete with bower and water feature, is available for outdoor weddings. There is also a second church on the property, a 259sqm glass house and a large barn.
Strategically located on the southeastern side of Hamilton, Gail’s of Tamahere is adjacent to the new Waikato Expressway, which runs from Cambridge to the south, to the Bombay Hills in the north.
The property’s proximity to Hamilton city and Cambridge – 10 minutes’ and 15 minutes’ drive away respectively – mean plenty there is an abundance of accommodation nearby for wedding and function guests. It’s also a short drive from Hamilton Airport.
Tamahere Model Country School is close by, and Tamahere Village is being built next door.