New Owner For Historic Marton Courthouse

Delighted New Owner for Historic Former Courthouse

The former Marton Courthouse on 23 High Street, which is one of the Rangitikei's most iconic buildings of significant historic interest, was sold recently to a keen Auckland buyer for $250,000.

The property which was marketed by Carol Lewis of Harcourts Palmerston North, went to Auction on 31 August, and following negotiations with the Auckland bidder after the hammer fell, sold to her straight afterwards.

Ms Lewis said buying interest came from right round the country and Australia with plenty of visitors through the Open Homes. However the eventual buyer "just fell in love" with the building and its presentation showcasing the seller's extensive antique collection, with "all parties delighted with the outcome".

Built in 1897, the property served as a district courthouse for over 80 years and was bought by the previous owner in 1989 to run as the 'courthouse restaurant' and then 'courthouse collectables' store, prior to using it as a home. Ms Lewis said, "The living area is in the former courthouse, the main bedroom was the judge's chambers, with the dining room in the public office, and the spare bedroom the former witness room." She noted that many of the original fixtures were still intact including "magnificent ceilings, the Magistrate's bench in native timber, town clerk's desk and 3-4 shelves of the original law books included in the sale."

The property also has a Category 1 registration by the Historic Places Trust, which describe it as "carefully detailed" and "significant as a particularly fine example" of architect John Campbell's favoured Edwardian Baroque style. John Campbell was in charge of the design of New Zealand's government buildings until retiring in 1922. As the first official 'Government Architect', he also designed the Dunedin Police Station and Law Courts, and Wellington Public Trust Office, among others

Ms Lewis said the extensive buyer enquiry via www.harcourts.co.nz showed the level of interest people had in the combination of a unique building in such a nice part of rural New Zealand within 40 minutes drive of Palmerston North and Wanganui, or two hours to Wellington and Hawkes Bay. With the area already known for garden tours, high quality schools, accessible property prices and an easy pace of life, she said Marton was becoming increasingly sought after and received regular buyer enquiry from throughout the country.

ENDS

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