THE PRESS - Two properties for sale in Hokitika are being aimed firmly at the West Coast’s growing tourism market. The properties are Seddon House, a stately, brick former government building on Sewell Street in the town centre, and the Kapitea Ridge tourist lodge north of the town. The asking prices are $1.2 million for the Sewell Street building and $2.05 million for the lodge. Seddon House was built in stages between 1909 and 1913 after being designed in the Imperial Baroque style by government architect John Campbell to house the town’s Magistrates’ Court. It was built back from the street to accommodate a statue of former prime minister Richard John Seddon, which is still standing in front of the property. Over the years it housed various government departments until the 1990s, although the courtroom was closed during the 1970s. It was sold by the government in the 1990s and has recently been leased to a variety of community groups. It is owned by Seddon House Project Ltd and has a Category I listing with the Historic Places Trust. Marketing agent Murray Madgwick says planning work has already been done to convert the building for tourist use, and it would make an ideal boutique hotel. Alternatively, the building, which is on an 1874sqm site, could house a combination of office, hospitality and retail tenants, Madgwick says. “We’ve had great interest, most of it from Auckand and from overseas, but there are a couple of local people who are looking at it. It really is a great piece of architecture - it represents an awful lot of building for your money.” The Kapitea Ridge Lodge is an existing business catering mainly for international tourists and is being sold as a going concern. It has been put up for sale by owners Trixie and Murray Montague, who have been running the lodge after building it 10 years ago. The property is just off State Highway 6 north of Hokitika on an elevated site overlooking the Tasman Sea. Madgwick says that while the lodge is being marketed as a going concern, there has been interest from potential buyers for use as a luxury residence. Another Hokitika tourist lodge, Villa Polenza was sold last year as a private home.