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Local investor Dr Cyrus Varan, says buying historic Orewa House was “an emotional decision”.
The Red Beach professor of applied science, author and inventor, also owns the commercial building at 2 Hillary Square where ANZ Bank is located.
He bought Orewa House before it went to auction. “I have fond memories of the place and was keen to own it,” he says. “It is a beautiful place with some lovely large pohutukawa trees.”
The property, at 498 Hibiscus Coast Highway, is the oldest site of colonial settlement in Orewa and was purchased by Governor William Hobson in 1841. It was recently put on the market by the Harvey family (HM August 19).
It was marketed by Colliers as “a rare opportunity to acquire a significant piece of Orewa’s history”. The buildings have Category B heritage listings under the Auckland Unitary Plan, while the underlying zone is Mixed Housing Urban.
Category B historic places are protected from inappropriate subdivision, use and development because of the need for resource consent.
The 4251sqm site, is alongside Nukumea Stream and has a CV of almost $2.2 million.
Dr Varan says his first priority is to fill the vacant tenancies on the site, but beyond that he says it’s just “a fun place to own”.
The sale is due to finally settle on October 31.
