Airways’ old Wellington air traffic control tower is on the market for anyonewho has ever dreamed of great views and a location close to Wellington Airport.
This property, located at 36 Tirangi Road, boasts many of its original 1957 design features, including a cramped floor plan, narrow stair only access to all four levels, a lack of natural light in many areas, and one toilet. It has had a lick of paint in at least the last decade and the kitchenette is circa 2000s chic.
The property does have a list of needs that require professional help, including asbestos removal and earthquake strengthening.
The tower can claim to be the only one in the world to have a residential address and its own letterbox.
Opened in 1959, the old tower was home to Airways air traffic controllers managing flights into and out of Wellington Airport for 60 years. The new control tower was opened further down Tirangi Road in 2018.
The old tower has become a local landmark, Airways chief financial officer James Young says. At the opening ceremony for the new tower, residents shared stories of living and growing up nearby. The old tower was affectionately known by some neighbours as "Arnold".
"It has sat up there on the hill and served us well for 60 years, so we will have some mixed feelings about seeing it go," says James.
"While we know it’s most likely that the property will be bought by a developer and cleared to build new homes, it’s nice to imagine the old tower being given a new life through some creative grand design."
The land the tower sits on has recently been rezoned to allow it to be used for residential development.
A portion of the commission from the sale being donated to the Wellington Children’s Hospital Foundation, which will go towards the outfitting and equipping of the interior of the new Wellington Children’s Hospital.
