This historic building was originally the ballroom of Lysnar House which was built where the Gisborne Museum & Arts Centre now stands.
The extension of the ballroom to Lysnar House was built for a daughters 21st birthday celebration. The loft where the string quartet played still exists as does the chaperons room at the very top of the building. This section of Lysnar House was moved to its present site in 1974 and was converted to a restaurant.
The location of the Marina Restaurant is rather unique being on the junction of three rivers - the Waimata River, the Taruheru River and the Turanganui River.
The Turanganui River is the shortest river in New Zealand being only one thousand two hundred metres long.