Quake-closed historic bank sold

Kurow’s old National Bank. Photo: ODT.
Kurow’s old National Bank. Photo: ODT.
The historic  National Bank building in Kurow has been sold.

The deal was struck about three weeks ago,  NAI Harcourts realtor David Blackham said. 

He would not disclose the price — saying it was commercially sensitive — or who bought the 1411sqm section.

The bank went on the market in early July and was sold by Arawata Assets Ltd.

The bank closed in 2012 after an engineering survey of all National and ANZ bank buildings, which found the 1903 Bledisloe St building did not meet earthquake standards.

Mr Blackham said there was interest in the site from people based as far away as Auckland, but no international approaches.

"There was 50-odd people who came through."

The building was sold by tender, he said.

Buyers of old commercial buildings usually had an idea of what they wanted to do with the  site, he said.

In July Ahuriri Community Board member and Kurow businessman Calum Reid  said when the bank closed it was a "body blow" for Kurow businesses, but now he saw the sale of the old character building as a retail opportunity for the town, which could benefit from visitors on the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail.

shannon.gillies@odt.co.nz

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