Reading Cinema site up for sale after Wellington City Council deal falls through

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The abandoned Reading Cinema site in the centre of Wellington is for sale.

The Courtenay Place property, which has 1.5 hectares of freehold land on the capital’s sought-after Golden Mile, was listed on One Roof by JLL on Saturday.

It is one of the last privately owned development properties in central Wellington.

The cinema complex was shut in 2019 due to its earthquake risk.

Wellington City Council worked on a $32 million deal with Reading Cinema to buy the land under the property and lease it back to the company, but that was axed in April.

The One Roof listing described the property as “Wellington’s most important development opportunity”, boasting “unlimited potential for developers with vision”.

JLL New Zealand managing director Todd Lauchlan said the new height limit for the site was 42.5 metres.

“A development at this full height would achieve priceless views over Wellington Harbour and to the northern ranges for potential residential, hotel or office uses.”

The area was also due to benefit from Wellington City Council and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s planned Golden Mile revitalisation, he said.

That would “[breathe] new life into the CBD and create a more vibrant, hospitable place to work and play”.

JLL New Zealand’s head of capital markets Jonathan Ogg told One Roof the incoming owner could benefit from the growing demand for residential and office property in Wellington.

Prime office vacancy in Wellington was sitting at just 3.3 percent in the first quarter of 2024, and average rents in the city increased 3.1 percent quarter-on-quarter in April, he said.

That was the third highest in the country, behind only Auckland and Bay of Plenty.

“These factors represent an opportunity for a developer to create an appealing mixed-use precinct in a rarely available location.”

JLL was calling for international expressions of interest until 15 August, unless the site was sold prior.