A Former Hospital Or A Dog Hotel? Quirky Listings Hit The Property Market

Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 6:06 pm
Article: RNZ

Jazlyn Whales

A former hospital, student accommodation and luxury doggy daycare have hit the property market in the lower North Island.

The properties up for sale in Wellington and North Wairarapa each have unique features and intriguing backstories.

Pahīatua's not-so-haunted former hospital

The former Pahīatua Hospital closed its doors to patients in 1998.

Eight years ago, it became home to Cathy and Andy Vaughan, when they purchased the property in a bid to get out of the hustle and bustle of Auckland.

The building was expanded in 1940 and again in 1960. This extended the property to a 2330 square metre footprint, with 30 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, the Property Brokers listing said.

In 1998, the former hospital went into private ownership and became known as the Master's Hall.

The Vaughans came across an online advertisement for the property.

"When we first saw the property advertised, we didn't even know where Pahīatua was," Cathy said.

A few months later, on a trip to visit friends in Palmerston North, the pair decided to view the property.

"When we first looked at it, it was quite overwhelming," Cathy said. "The thought of taking it on was daunting."

The couple tossed up the idea, but didn't make the leap until they returned home to Auckland.

"We had ground to a halt in a traffic jam," Cathy said. "By the time the traffic started flowing again, we just looked at each other and said, 'Let's go for it'.

"It was the best decision we have ever made."

Over the years, the couple had hosted more than 30,000 people at the property, with events ranging from medieval re-enactment groups with Templar knights and Saxons, vintage car enthusiasts, motorcycle clubs, sewing groups, school sports teams and retirement villages.

"People often ask jokingly if the place is haunted," Cathy said. "I always say it's not.

"There's a real feel of peace and serenity here."

The Master's Hall had also been used for conferences.

"We've had everything from equestrian behavioural specialists to the Variety Club fundraising bash tour."

In November last year, the town acknowledged the 80th anniversary of the arrival of 783 children and their caregivers, who evacuated Poland and arrived in Pahīatua.

The children, many now in their 90s, stayed at the hall, alongside their children and grandchildren.

The property had captivated, not only the owners, but guests as well, with about 60 percent coming back more than once.

"We have such a diverse range of guest groups and people coming to stay," Cathy said. "It has been amazing meeting all the different community groups and hosting them here."

While the Vaughans had enjoyed their time at the property, they were moving closer to a real hospital to accommodate Cathy's 91-year-old mother.

"It's ironic, considering we live in a hospital," she said.

The property will be sold by negotiation.

Former student halls of residence

The Helen Lowry Hall, which housed Wellington University students in the suburb of Karori for nearly 75 years, is on the market.

In 2023, Helen Lowry Hall's website announced it would cease operation as a university residential hall. A release issued by real estate company Bayleys said the Ministry of Education owned the site and put it up to be sold through tender.

The former hall was made up of three blocks and five houses that sat on a 5694 square metre site, and could house 112 people, the Helen Lowry website said.

Run as a not-for-profit, the Helen Lowry Hall offered a range of different room options. A large, single and fully catered room cost $490 a week, while a non-catered room cost $390 a week.

Additionally, there were lower-cost options for double and triple-share rooms, as advertised on the Helen Lowry website.

The website also stated the hall was established in 1948, after Reverend Martin Sullivan suggested: "The accommodation in Wellington for tertiary students was inadequate in both quantity and quality."

The halls opened after Sullivan, the Student Christian Movement chaplain at Victoria University, sparked the idea with others, who were on board with the development. His wife owned the vacant orphanage, which was developed into the halls.

Sullivan approached friend Helen Lowry and requested help with donation collection to finance the restoration. Instead, Lowry herself gave £1500 and the hall was then named after her.

'Woofington' Castle - the former luxury doggy daycare

Once a luxury dog hotel, a hilltop castle has been put up for sale.

The distinct, pale yellow building at 430 Hawkins Road - above a landfill - blended "medieval charm with modern comfort", the listing by real estate company Sotheby's said.

Described as "a listing like no other", the 900-square-metre floorplan consisted of wrought iron chandeliers, timber beams, vaulted ceilings and even a commercial-grade kitchen.

As well as the four bedrooms and four bathrooms, additional features included a workshop, gym, studio and bar.

A temporary transformation in 2015 saw Woofingtons, a dog hotel, open its doors at the castle to provide "ultimate in luxury accommodation at an affordable price", its social media read.

While no longer a hotel for dogs, the castle will become a home for a new owner, when sold under tender that will close at noon on 30 April.

© Scoop Media

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