Ryman adds Tropicana to its portfolio

Tropicana is one of the largest remaining privately owned landholdings in inner Auckland.

Tropicana, one of the biggest privately owned blocks of land in inner Auckland, has been sold to the retirement giant Ryman Healthcare.

The 8.92ha farm in the Lynfield/Mt Roskill area was owned by Wilfred Allen "Bill" Subritzky, now in his late 80s.

Ryman confirmed the purchase yesterday in an NZX notice.

Staff at two businesses associated with the Subritzky family also said they had left the property because it was sold. Sterling Nominees and Christian men's organisation Promise Keepers said they were now at 97 Mt Eden Rd.

QV showed title transfers on June 10 when Healthcare Shelf Company No 21 settled the purchase. Directors include Simon Challies, Ryman chief executive.

The farm was called Tropicana because of its proximity to Tropicana Drive but includes a 509sq m family home with coastal and sea views, a pool and tennis court.

The property is off Hillsborough Rd. Commodore Drive flanks one side of it.

It includes a separate wing of seven offices and a separate 118sq m house and additional storage sheds.

When Subritzky bought the property 56 years ago it was covered in gorse and scrub. Sheep are kept on 3ha and a large ecological bush area covers 2ha.

"New Zealand's largest retirement village operator has bought the Tropicana Estate, an 8.9ha block of land only 10km from the CBD with fantastic views across the Manukau Harbour," the company said. "Ryman Healthcare is planning to turn Tropicana into a resort-style retirement village which will provide much-needed retirement amenities for the nearby suburbs of Hillsborough, Lynfield and Blockhouse Bay."

Challies said the estate was a gem.

"Not only has it got some great sea views and native bush, it's also close to town and in a great neighbourhood."