Uncork potential in old winery

The old Corban's site on Solander Rd will be auctioned by Bayleys next month. Photo / Supplied

The former Corbans winery site in Awapuni, Gisborne's main industrial area, will be auctioned by Bayleys next month offering the chance to secure a large parcel of land close to the city in an area that is traditionally tightly held.

"Simply put, they're not making any more centrally located industrial land and that's for sure," said Colin McNab of Bayleys Gisborne.

McNab and Bayleys director James MacPherson are marketing the site, now owned by Pernod Ricard, at 9-19 Solander Rd, for sale by auction on March 19 at Bayleys Gisborne.

"The local council had to re-zone a large area to the west as Rural Industrial to address Gisborne's future industrial needs but Awapuni remains the focal point for this activity. The opportunity to buy here seldom arises," said McNab.

"The property has a magnitude of potential uses and we are encouraging prospective buyers to talk to us so we can discuss some possibilities."

While prospective buyers would need to apply through the usual council consent processes, some of the ideas suggested are large-scale recreational facilities such as a ten-pin bowling arena or a karting track. The existing restaurant building could also be revitalised and relaunched as an entertainment venue.

"Chances are that someone will have a vision for this site but they won't require the whole area, so subleasing parts of it is always an option." said MacPherson.

"A visionary buyer will recognise the inherent value that industrial land has so close to the city both now and in the future.

"It is a classic 'land bank' opportunity in an area with daily airline services, a strong port infrastructure and accessibility to the main roads."

The 1.5691ha site is on the northern side of Solander St in the Awapuni industrial subdivision close to the CBD, with Awapuni Rd, a main arterial route, just 200m to the south.

"It is a strategic location for anyone wanting to draw customers from the city area while being close to the port and main road," said MacPherson. "While this was once a working winery and the Lindauer Cellars restaurant and cellar door, we are urging people to see beyond those boundaries and think laterally with an eye to the future."

The property is held in 10 freehold titles but is being auctioned as one lot. Eight of the titles comprise long, narrow strips with road frontage of about 10m but two of the titles, the former restaurant and wine shop at 9 Solander St and the former cellars at 11 Solander St, are a more practical shape and with appropriate consent, might be sold off as individual lots in the future.

"With council approval we understand that subdivision could take place down to 800sq m as per the Gisborne District Council's Combined Regional Land and District Plan," said McNab.

"While we can't rule it out completely, it would take some considerable investment for the site to be returned to a functional winery operation.

"However, the buildings and associated infrastructure could be adapted and utilised for a number of other uses like liquid storage, cool stores or crop processing.

"The structures could also be converted to a wholesale or retail outlet, for storage, workshops, a transport operations base, training facilities or recreational usage."