New calling for significant Whanganui property

The landmark 1880s’ heritage building that has been the hearth place of the Whanganui Sisters of St. Joseph since 1949 has been placed on the market for sale by its governing trust board. This creates the opportunity for a commercial change of use with due process undertaken.

Known in the community as Mount St. Joseph, the Edwardian Italianate-style two-level residence at 14 Hillside Terrace, St John’s Hill, Whanganui sits on circa-1.18ha of elevated bush-fringed land with views over the city and river. The site has been subdivided off an original larger landholding that included the adjacent former Nazareth Rest Home, which now houses student pilots from the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy.

The subject building has a Class C designation on the Whanganui District Council’s built heritage register, in recognition of its architectural, historic, and cultural significance to the city’s fabric. The site itself has sweeping lawns, established gardens and towering mature trees.

Built nearly 150 years ago as “Hillside”, an elegant private residence for the Peat family, the building and then-farmlet later became home to the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Novitiate before evolving into a retreat centre in 1982. This was known as Te Punanga o Hohepa (Josephite Retreat Centre), and offered facilities for conferences, seminars, group and private retreats.

The commanding main building on the northern slopes of St. John’s Hill has been well-maintained and has an approximately 790sqm footprint. It boasts scale, classic proportions, high ceilings, generous rooms and enduring craftsmanship, with heritage detailing that sets it apart from anything else in the Whanganui market. There is parking for around 10 vehicles.

The property is no longer required by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart New Zealand Trust Board’s for outreach services and is for sale with vacant possession via a tender process closing Wednesday 11th March, through John Bartley, Duncan Ashby, and Kim Ahern of Bayleys Whanganui.

Zoned Residential Zone A, Bartley says while the property could easily revert to an impressive private residence, it could resonate as a business opportunity with owner-occupiers or commercial investors looking to reposition the asset and leverage the history and serenity of the property.

“Subject to Council regulatory approval and necessary planning processes, a change of use could see this incredible property have wider appeal and contribute to the local economy.

“It could lend itself to a boutique accommodation venture, a wedding or function venue, backpacker accommodation, potential office conversion, a private educational or training facility, wellness or health retreat, or Airbnb use.

“The city’s growing visitor economy would support a unique accommodation offering 3.7km from the city centre, yet seemingly away from it all.”

Latest available Infometrics data shows tourism expenditure to March 2025 for the Whanganui District was up 4.8% from the previous year, with consistently strong domestic tourism growth putting it among the country’s top performing regions.

“Whanganui is a quiet achiever, and is increasingly finding its way onto traveller’s radars,” says Bartley.

“Both domestic and international visitors are seeking-out authentic destinations which provide respite from routine and busy lives, and Whanganui fits that bill.

“As such, Mount St. Joseph could find a new calling as a bespoke hospitality offering to meet growing demand for experiences that go beyond the ordinary.”

St. Johns Hill is one of Whanganui’s most established and desirable suburbs. It is sought-after for its long-term residential investment and redevelopment potential. It has easy access to the St. Johns Hill shopping village, Virginia Lake Reserve, and several well-regarded schools including St. Johns Hill School and Wanganui Collegiate.

The suburb is well-connected by public transport and offers quick routes to both central Whanganui and the arterial roads leading north and south.