Prime Whanganui CBD real estate hits market for first time in 60 yearsPosted by MMP News AuthorOn June 10, 2023

A prime piece of real estate on lower Victoria Ave is on the market for the first time in over half a century.

Wanganui Furnishers has been an institution in the city for over 100
years and while its property is for sale, it isn’t the end of the business.

Director John Anderson said there were areas of the site – that stretches from Victoria Ave to St Hill St – that weren’t being fully utilised.

“It’s actually not very efficiently used because we’ve adapted what’s there,” he said.

“If we started from scratch operating the business side of things, we wouldn’t have come up with the solution we’ve got at the moment.

“That’s the reason we’re looking at selling the property – so opportunities can arise for everybody.”

The business, then known as the Wanganui Furniture Manufacturing Company, purchased the site in 1959.

It bought the rear property, on St Hill St, to expand operations in 1982.

Bayleys salesperson Amie Rowan said opportunities of this scale weren’t often available in Whanganui, particularly in such a tightly-held commercial and retail precinct.

“Moreover, retention by the current owners for more than 60 years has meant the property has maintained its grand scale and commanding position – making it a rarely available asset for a new owner with a view to the future,” she said.