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Prominent highway land with commercial potential goes on the market for sale

Monday 21 May 2012, 4:23PM

By Bayleys

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Aerial shot
Aerial shot Credit: Bayleys
Motel Artist's Impression
Motel Artist's Impression Credit: Bayleys

AUCKLAND

A strategically-located parcel of land with resource consent, plans, and a building license for a mid-sized motel development, has been placed on the market for sale.

The large elevated corner site is situated on State Highway 16 near Kumeu north-west of Auckland - with Transit New Zealand reporting that some 20,000 vehicles pass by the front gate of the property every day.

Comprising 2.6 hectares of land in two titles with approval for the immediate development of a motel complex, the offering includes a number of existing revenue-producing houses and commercial buildings generating an income of $120,000 per annum. The site consists of two sections – one of 2.0158 hectares, and one of 5738 square metres.

Included in the sale is a full financial feasibility study strongly supporting the proposed development, and full working drawings. The site is being marketed for sale through a tender process by Bayleys North West salespeople Terry Jones and Ian Sergeant. Tenders close on May 23, 2012. The blocks can be purchased either individually or together.

The Kumeu-Huapai district has been identified as a significant ‘growth zone’ in the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy for the past 13 years – with considerable focus being allocated to planning for on-going population expansion. Access to the region was accelerated even further last year when an extension to the North-Western motorway was opened up.

Ian Sergeant said that over the past decade the Kumeu/Huapai/Waimauku region had grown to become one of Auckland’s most popular destinations for weddings, functions and conferences.

Wedding venues within the immediate vicinity include Kumeu Valley Estate, Gracehills Vineyard Estate, Markovina’s, Soljan’s Estate Winery, Settlers Country Manner, Allely House, Bridgewater and The Brigham.

“These wedding venues have become immensely popular with Aucklanders wanting a great place to celebrate and yet be within easy commuting distance from the city. Often set amongst the vineyards and surrounded by wide open spaces the venues provide the ambience and country touch for guests, needing accommodation not readily available here,” he said.

“The area now needs an accommodation development like the one proposed.”

Terry Jones said that Kumeu business operators and community groups had been extremely pro-active in developing an extensive calendar of tourism-related activities throughout the year – from the hugely popular A & P show and hot rod exhibition, through to a food and wine trail, and music festivals.

“At present the region is serviced by some outstanding boutique-sized lodges and B&B establishments offering cottage style accommodation - but just for a very small number of guests at a time,” Mr Jones said.

“The consented plans for this site will provide comfortable accommodation for up to 50 guests – making it one of the biggest accommodation providers in a catchment area stretching from South Head, across to Kaukapakapa, and down to the top of the North-Western motorway.”

The property is adjacent to the Kumeu River Vineyard, which produces and exports a variety of first-class wines - including its $55 a bottle Mates Chardonnay. Terry Jones said the site’s owners were Kumeu farmers who had spent considerable time and resources obtaining the necessary approvals and building licenses, but who had subsequently opted to stay farming and sell the land to a developer with more experience in the hospitality and tourism sector.

While the land was consented for a motel development, Mr Jones said that with the appropriate council consents, the location could also be developed into a small retail hub -potentially consisting of convenience food and beverage outlets, liquor store, video outlet, pharmacy, bakery, or a fruit and vegetable shop.