Control tower 'a plane spotter's dream'

ROELAND VAN DEN BERGH

Wellington Airport's control tower could become the ultimate plane spotters' pad if it were put up for sale as part of plans to replace it, a real estate agent says.

Airways New Zealand plans to replace the 50-year-old tower in the next two years with a hi-tech version, this time directly on airport land.

The tower sits among hillside suburban houses on Tirangi Rd in Rongotai at the northwestern side of the airport.

It is thought to be the only one in the world with a street address and its own letterbox. Control towers are usually built on airport land.

Harcourt Wellington managing director Marty Scott said the tower would have a "novelty and uniqueness factor" which would appeal to residential or commercial buyers.

"Wellington is full of enough creative energy – they could make the most of that and convert it into an interesting home."

It would be difficult to value the tower on a comparable basis with similar properties, Scott said.

Its value would come down to size and how practical it would be to live in, plus a premium or discount, according to the buyer.

"For somebody who is mad keen on aviation, and there is a lot of people like that", it could appeal, he said.

Neighbouring houses, however, could also increase in value if the large tower was demolished.

Airways New Zealand, which runs the country's air traffic control system, said two options were being considered: extending the existing tower to give it a better view of the airport, or moving to a new site.

Airways chief executive Ed Sims said his preference was to move the tower to a new site closer to Lyall Bay, on airport land near The Warehouse.

The current tower lacked a clear view of some of the terminal gates, in particular the regional gates at the southern end.

"Our clear preference is to have full line of sight," Sims said.

Housing had also built up around the tower over the years, "which is not good for the residents, and not good for us".

The new tower would feature the latest technology and heat-proofed windows with 360-degree views. It would be "at least as good as the Christchurch tower" which was built in 2009 and stood up to the major earthquakes.

The expected cost was yet to be determined.

- © Fairfax NZ News