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Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
A Former Hospital Or A Dog Hotel? Quirky Listings Hit The Property Market
Article – RNZ The properties up for sale in Wellington and North Wairarapa each have unique features and intriguing backstories. 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
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
A Former Hospital Or A Dog Hotel? Quirky Listings Hit The Property Market
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.
RNZ News
22-04-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
A former hospital or a dog hotel? Quirky listings hit the property market
Once a luxury dog hotel, the hilltop "Woofington" Castle has been put up for sale. Photo: Supplied / Sotheby's Real Estate 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. 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. Pahīatua Hospital closed its doors in 1998. Photo: Supplied / Cathy Vaughan 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. The former hospital has hosted all manner of events, including medieval re-enactments. Photo: Supplied / Cathy Vaughan "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. Inside the former Pahīatua Hospital. Photo: Supplied / Cathy Vaughan 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. The Helen Lowry Hall, which housed Wellington University students in the suburb of Karori for nearly 75 years, is on the market. The Helen Lowry Hall housed university students for nearly 75 years. Photo: Supplied / Mark Walker 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. Helen Lowry Hall consisted of three blocks and five houses. Photo: Supplied / Mark Walker 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." Helen Lowry Hall featured a range of accommodation options at affordable prices. Photo: Supplied / Mark Walker 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. Once a luxury dog hotel, a hilltop castle has been put up for sale. Woofington Castle at 430 Hawkins Road. Photo: Supplied / Sotheby's Real Estate 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. Photo: Supplied / Sotheby's Real Estate 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. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Decatur mother protects kids from home invasion, shares story
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A mother of two in Decatur is sharing her story less than a week after her home was invaded — and she was shot. On Monday, Alexia Templar was forced to defend her family after armed intruders broke into her home. It happened in the area of Stone and Whitmer Streets in Decatur. PREVIOUSLY: Three arrested in Decatur home invasion-turned shooting The situation left her with two gunshot wounds — and two men in jail. Her partner was at work when the armed invasion happened early Monday morning, meaning it was just Templar and her two children, both under the age of two. She says of the nearly 30 bullet holes in her home, four came from her. And she believes those four saved her children's lives. 'In that moment, I can't panic. I have two daughters who need me in this moment and need me to protect them,' Templar said. Templar said noises in her kitchen woke her up, then she called her partner on FaceTime to inform him of the invaders. Three injured after shooting in Decatur, police seeking tips 'He told me that I'm going to have to do this. I'm going to have to protect myself. I need to grab the gun, and I need to be ready to defend my home,' Templar said. She had never held a gun prior to that moment. 'As soon as I see them, I say to them, 'I have a gun, so get out of my house, or I will shoot you.' As soon as I said that they started immediately firing at me, both the people,' Templar said. In the exchange, two bullets hit Templar while one of her children was in her after, as she was bleeding, her oldest daughter ran up to her. 'So, I put my kids in the closet, and I shut the door, and I'm screaming at them, pleading, 'Please don't kill my kids. I have kids. Please don't kill my kids. Please don't kill me. Please,'' Templar said. UPDATE: 2 children, 1 adult dead after house fire in Virden The three suspects fled the house after the shootout. Soon after, Templar's partner took her to St. Mary's Hospital with non-life-threatening thankfully, both their children remained unharmed. 'The bullets went through and through. So luckily, there were no major blood vessels hit, or bone fragments found,' Templar said. Later that same day, officials found one of the suspects with a bullet wound in their lower back, fired from Templar. She said the entire situation was not only terrifying but violating. 'I was not worried about if something were to happen to me, it would have been worth it because my kids would be safe. And that's all that had mattered to me in that moment,' Templar said. Templar said her family no longer feels safe in their home. The family of four has been living in a hotel since Monday. If you'd like to help, you can visit their GoFundMe here. Man facing charges for traveling to meet a child, indecent solicitation in Forrest Police said two men and a 16-year-old were arrested and charged for the Deonte Stone and 25-year-old Colton Clark, along with the unnamed 16-year-old, were all charged with attempted murder, home invasion, and aggravated battery with a firearm. Stone and Clark are being held at the Macon County Jail, and the 16-year-old is at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
