Wool it bea baa-gain?
Iconic buildings in a South Waikato town are in need of a new owner. The world’s biggest corrugated iron sheep and ram buildings in Tirau have been placed on the market for sale.
Building creators and owners Nancy and John Drake wanted an attention-grabbing feature to pull the punters into the wool and craft store.
Credited as being the largest corrugated iron sheep building in the world – the sheep was the first building on the site, and was ‘‘not without its logistical problems’’, John Drake said.
It was an instant hit when it opened in 1994, with the business turning over nearly $1000 a day from wool and craft creations.
Occupying a prime corner position on State Highway 1, the corrugated iron sheep, ram and dog buildings sit on the 2103 square metre site, which is offered for sale in a tender process closing on November 9.
The sheep, located on the southern corner of the freehold site, comprises a mixture of ground and first floor showroom space, with a cafe and kitchen.
The ram building adjoins the sheep and was added in 2005 to increase showroom space and amenities.
The Drakes lived above the shop floor within the sheep, which has a self-sufficient mezzanine level and multiple entry-points.
The sheep is tenanted on a monthly rental basis with an income of $750 per month, a Honey Shop and Cafe occupy 100sqm.
The remainder of the floor space and mezzanine levels are vacant.
The dog, which sits on the northernmost portion of the site, is currently leased to the South Waikato District Council and houses the Tirau Information Centre and public bathrooms.
With a lease term of six years from October 2016, and an annual rent of approximately $16,000 plus 70 percent of the council’s rates, the owners of the section have the opportunity to buy back the dog building should the South Waikato District Council choose not to renew the lease at any stage in the future.
Salesman Blair Hutcheson, of Bayleys Waikato, said there was an ‘‘abundance of opportunities’’ for the new owners.
’’While the freehold site is currently zoned as for commercial use, the opportunity remains for the new owners to reinstate the auxiliary flat, subject to council approval.
‘‘The cafe has an external dining and garden area with direct access to the rear public carpark, three toilets on the ground floor, separate kitchen facilities and direct access to the rear storage sheds,’’ he said.
‘‘The flexibility, position and fame of the buildings would make an excellent art gallery space, destination restaurant and cafe or retail opportunity.
‘‘Selling such an original piece of New Zealand history is so rare, and the town of Tirau has been completely transformed by the Drake’s dream,’’ Hutcheson said.