Nelson Cathedral parish is planning to build five luxury townhouses in the city centre, with proceeds helping fund earthquake strengthening and enhancement work on the historic cathedral.
The site was previously leased to neighbouring Marsden House Funeral Services as a carpark.
The development will feature five three-bedroom, two-storey, three-bathroom townhouses, each with a double garage.
“It is a win-win situation, the development will provide in-demand city living and also provide money towards the cathedral building’s earthquake strengthening and enhancement programme,” says Donald Grant, member of the development management team.
The cathedral does not receive community funding for annual costs, so some of the money earned will also fund ongoing church ministries and civic activities.
Expressions of Interest are now being sought from buyers to reserve a townhouse through Debbie Cooper of The Cooper Group.
The luxury homes are designed by Jeremy Smith and Andrew Irving of Irving Smith Architects and will be built by Scott Construction.
The two-storey townhouse plans were chosen to complement the historic neighbourhood of the site, which is adjacent to NCMA, the Bishop’s School and old cathedral vicarage.
“They are designed to fill the gap for new homes in the inner-city area for buyers who may be downsizing or require a lock-and-leave city unit,” Donald adds.
“People want to move to the central city, but there’s nothing new to buy,” adds David Lucas, who is also on the development management team. “We thought it was a good opportunity to offer something new, because what ome people are doing is buying older houses, knocking them down and building new, which can be an expensive option.”
“We’re developing the site for a specific reason and that’s to raises money for the strengthening and enhancing of the Cathedral. There’s a diversity of people living in the central city, so this gives a different option.
Construction is expected to start in early 2027, with completion around 12 months later.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith welcomed the development.
“We want more people living in the central city and this development does it with class. It is a bonus that most of the proceeds from the sale of these townhouses will be used to help fund the strengthening of Nelson’s iconic cathedral.”
