Southland District Council’s main office building has hit the market, but whether its sparkly disco ball will be included remains unknown.
By Matthew Rosenberg of Local Democracy Reporting
The property on Invercargill's Forth St has been advertised as "an iconic Southland landmark", with listing photos providing a glimpse behind the scenes.
That included a blue-and-orange themed office space housing an unlikely object – a disco ball.
Local Democracy Reporting asked the council if there was a story behind the ball, and whether it would be included in the sale, but received no response.
Also captured in listing photos was an array of indoor plants, a table tennis table, and an open lounge area featuring red couches, a large landscape painting, and photos of the district’s three previous mayors.
The building sat on a site measuring approximately 1529sq metres, and had been constructed across several stages.
A council spokesperson said the structure included an original section built around 1940, a tower block built around 1977, an area linking the two built around 1984, and a main reception built around 1994.
In addition to the building, the sale also included a vacant section measuring approximately 761sq metres which has been used as a staff carpark.
The listing reads: "The eastern office block, which once played a part in some of Southland's most significant decisions, offers an opportunity for future redevelopment, subject to strengthening requirements and the purchaser's intended use."
No price was included on the listing.
The council said it opted for a deadline sale with no prior offers so elected members could consider all offers and conditions simultaneously.
Progress on the council’s new home, Henderson House, meant it was an appropriate time to sell the Forth St site, the council said.
Around 180 council staff were split across three Invercargill sites, but that would soon change as the organisation looked to consolidate at Henderson House in the New Year.
The council purchased Henderson House in 2024 and has been undertaking work to get it up to scratch, including clearing mould and fixing leaks.
A deadline for the Forth St sale has been set for 12pm on November 27.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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