From Stately Home To Gang Pad To……….Gone

One of Invercargill’s most well known homes is no more.

The once stately home at 50 Balmoral Drive has been demolished.

The home in what used to be one of the top areas of Invers, later to become an infamous gang pad was originally built in 1908 for the Diack family as a base for their expanding nursery business which thrives to this day.

Propertyvalue.co.nz shows the 1011m2 home  had 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 1 car park .

The building became the subject of Police and media attention after an arson attack in 2008 caused extensive damage.

The house at that time was the local headquarters of The Road Knights Motorcycle Club.The club had been based there since the mid 80’s.

The Balmoral Dr home was restored but suffered another arson attack about 4 years ago.

The most recent tenants Trish and Cortez Ferguson told whatsoninvers that they knew  some of the history of the property.

Cortez Ferguson said it was still well known as the Road Knights base long after they moved on. He said it wasn’t unusual for bikers in town for the Burt Munro Challenge to come round for a look and reminisce.

He said they often left the front gate open so people passing by could see in.

It’s understood that neighbouring business Southland Truck and Tractor Spares brought the property to expand their business.
Cortez and Trish Ferguson commissioned local artist Deow to paint up the front fence.