Cafe property at Beach Haven

The property at 366 Rangatira Rd suits a suburban cafe. Photo / Supplied

A property with internal fittings in place to sustain a modern suburban neighbourhood cafe is for sale at Beach Haven, Auckland.

The land and building at 366 Rangatira Rd, is home to a cafe business known as The Meeting Room, which borders the council-maintained Opaketai Beach Haven Garden community green with its array of children's play amenities and grassed lawn.

The 202sq m of freehold land and the 224.8sq m building, are being jointly marketed for sale by auction at 11am on Wednesday June 27 — through Bayleys Auckland and Bayleys North Shore.

Brokers point out that the site is zoned Local Centre Use under the operative Auckland Unitary Plan, allowing for the construction of structures up to 18m high which could be capable of sustaining a building up to four-storeys, permitting residential use on the upper floors.

Salespeople Paul Dixon and Michael Nees say the basis of the Local Centre Use zoning is that any area classified under it, along with tenancies occupying buildings within the area, must provide social and economic benefit for the community.

The cafe is being sold vacant but its fit-out is available by negotiation. Photo / Supplied

"The property at 366 Rangatira Rd absolutely epitomises the over-arching zoning by housing one of the most popular cafes in the Beach Haven retail strip," Dixon says.

"The Beach Haven suburb, along with adjacent community of Birkdale, stands alone geographically from the bigger shopping precincts of Glenfield to the east and Birkenhead to the south. Beach Haven's retail hub is totally neighbourhood-focused, very much attracting a local clientele."

The peninsular encompassing Verran's Corner, Beach Haven and Birkdale — with Rangatira Rd running through its arterial spine — has a population of about 20,000 residents.

Cafe operations on the corner site premises are "the last coffee-on-the-run option", for commuters accessing the Birkenhead-to-Auckland ferry service, which departs from Beach Haven wharf about 500m away.

Dixon says the property is being sold vacant, with a buyer being given opportunity to buy The Meeting Room fit-out by negotiation.

"A new owner could choose to continue with the decor format of The Meeting Room, or lease to a stand-alone cafe operator who may look to style the venue in a different design and ambience," Dixon says.

"Alternatively, there is the option to refocus the premises into a licensed venue. At present there are no such operations trading in Beach Haven, and locals must travel several kilometres to either Glenfield or Verran's Corner and Birkenhead to enjoy a glass of wine or beer with an evening meal out."

Nees adds that The Meeting Room business has al-fresco seating directly in front of, and to the side of, the main entrance.

"It's close to the roundabout intersection of Beach Haven and Rangatira Roads providing an ever-changing landscape of 'people watching'. The north-facing aspect creates a sunny place to enjoy a coffee over brunch," Nees says.

"In addition to the removable outdoor dining furnishings, there are also two fixed seating fittings available for use by diners, although their tenure and right to occupy is not part of any sale."