Revamped site 'real value for money'

This warehouse, factory, office and showroom at 47 Ben Lomond Cres is up for sale. Photo / Supplied

The departure of Schneider Electric last year enabled the owner of a large warehouse, factory, office and showroom complex in Pakuranga to undertake a major refurbishment and now offer it to the market on completion in pristine condition.

Originally built in the 1970s, the property at 47 Ben Lomond Cres, is being marketed for sale or lease through James Wallace and Giles Were of Barfoot & Thompson Commercial via deadline private treaty closing on Friday, April 23.

Ben Lomond Cres runs off Cascades Rd which links Botany to the south and Pakuranga to the north.

Wallace said the property, with a 2008 capital valuation of $5,550,000, comprised 2610sq m of warehouse and factory space with 793sq m of showroom and office facilities.

"It was purchased by its current owner in 2000 and has enjoyed nil vacancy over the past 10 years," Wallace said. "When Schneider Electric vacated the premises in 2009, the owner relished the opportunity to get his hands back on the building seeing a great opportunity to bring it up to a standard where it could compete with newer buildings on the market.

"The refurbishment has been both extensive and comprehensive - having been brought to a state where you could eat your dinner off the floor," Wallace said. "The warehouse has received new glazing and joinery, all five roller doors were replaced, and the interior and exterior walls have been repainted.

"The majority of the office and showroom located at the front of the building has been completely made over. Full height glazing now covers the front of the building and air-conditioning and data and phone cabling has been fitted throughout. There are good staff amenities, a large cafeteria and a separate office ideal for a training room or similar use."

Were said the renovated complex sat on a total site area of 8283sq m and, due to its low site coverage, had 4800sq m of flat, secure and sealed yard. The building's position afforded easy access to "Greater East Auckland" including Howick, East Tamaki, Pakuranga, Botany and Highland Park.

"A small cluster of commercial and industrial properties along Ben Lomond Cres is chiefly characterised by a mixture of manufacturing and domestic and industrial service industries. Beyond that it is predominantly residential which provides a good employment base for the businesses."

The property is zoned Business 5 under the Manukau City Council District Plan, permitting a mixture of light and medium industry, offices, and a limited range of retailing activity.

"No expense has been spared on this building," Wallace said. "As such it would suit any business looking to reduce their costs without compromising on the quality of their facilities or their market profile. The ideal end user will most likely be a tenant or purchaser from the manufacturing, storage or distribution industries requiring a modern facility without the hefty price tag associated with other buildings of this calibre and a location in East Auckland."

Were said the owner would work with any incoming tenant or purchaser to ensure the property was fitted out to specific requirements.

"The asking annual rental is $325,000 which works out at $75 per square metre for the warehouse and around $160 per square metre for the office. For a building of this calibre, in this location and a yard of this size, these rates represent real value for money."