A property for sale at Queenstown’s Arthurs Point, including a picture framing studio, art gallery and apartment, offers a blank canvas due to its rural visitor zoning.

The 1203 square metre property’s owned by renowned picture framer Dave Marsh, who developed it for his purposes after acquiring it 10 years ago.

The current two-storey building started life in 1988 as a dried flower barn, became the ‘Rafter’s Barn’ for a rafting company, then HQ for a mountain biking company before developer Barry Ford started converting it into a sports bar before going bust.

When the property came up for mortgagee auction in late 2012, it was bought post-auction by an Auckland party, how ever the deal fell through.

‘‘I had the opportunity to have another go three months later and bought it,’’ Marsh says.

‘‘I had no idea what I was getting into — it was an absolute dump — but with good business mentoring and an absolutely awesome builder in the form of Trevor Ward, we converted it into what it is today.’’

Warmed by three fireplaces, the 550sqm downstairs area comprises a workshop, gallery and office/den, along with four-car garage and space out front for 13 cars.

Upstairs is a loft-style two-bedroom apartment — the master has an ensuite and a viewing balcony.

Asked why he’s selling, Marsh says he’s worked 70 hours a week for the past 25 years, however over the course of two Covid lockdowns and taking time off after badly breaking his left wrist last July, he realised ‘‘there might be life after 70 hours a week’’.

He’d also known Ray White Queenstown salesperson Arron Sundars for some time.

‘‘We talked about it and I said, ‘let’s test the market’.’’

Marsh has no idea what the property might fetch but notes the area of Arthurs Point he’s in has ‘‘absolutely blossomed over the past 10 years’’, with even more development on the horizon.

‘‘When I bought it there were paddocks next to me — we’re still semi-rural, but we’re only six minutes from town, and we’re a far cry from Frankton Road.

‘‘I think in another five to 10 years’ time this property will be worth significantly more than whatever anybody has to pay to secure it today.’’

He’s had people suggest it could be a Four Square store or petrol station, and quips he’d like a well-heeled out-of-towner to buy it as a bolthole and park a brand-new Aston Martin Valhalla in the gallery.

‘‘But at some point I think it will be bulldozed and there’ll be a high-rise built because that’s the way it’s all going.’’

The property’s for sale by negotiation.

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