Church land for sale at Sandringham

The wooden church building at 258-260 Balmoral Rd dates from the 1880s and comes with a Heritage classification

A large freehold Sandringham land holding with dual street access, which has an historic church, childcare centre and a character bungalow on it, is up for sale offering a redevelopment opportunity.

Comprising 3716sq m of land at 258-260 Balmoral Rd and 18 Patterson St, the property is being marketed by Sunil Bhana, James Hill and Mike Houlker of Bayleys' central Auckland office. Featured in Bayleys' latest Total Property portfolio, it is up for tender closing September 22, unless sold prior to that date by negotiation.

"The sale of this property opens up an opportunity for continued use by other church, early child care or community organisations," says Bhana.

"Or alternatively, the high density residential redevelopment options could be explored in this sought after city fringe location with its excellent access to public transport and a full range of amenities nearby."

The property has been put up for sale by Presbyterian Church Property Trustees following the merger of the former Balmoral congregation with the larger St John's Presbyterian Church in Mt Roskill. Funds released from the sale will go to support church development in new and growing areas of Auckland.

"This substantial site provides an excellent opportunity to address Auckland's critical housing problems," says Bhana. "The bulk of the land has a Terrace Housing and Apartment Building zoning under the new Unitary Plan enabling a greater intensity of development than previously allowed on this site."

The property comprises three individual lots on one freehold title. The church and its associated rear halls occupy 258 Balmoral Rd along with an adjacent childcare centre. The wooden church building dates back to the 1880s and has a Heritage (Category B) classification.

There is a paved parking area at the front of the property which is used as a drop and pick up point for the childcare centre. The Auckland Playcentres Association pays a modest rental for the use of the site, which it will vacate by December 20 under the terms of its lease.

Occupying the narrower rear section at 18 Patterson St is a five-bedroom character bungalow which was constructed in the 1920s along with a basic garage that sits on the north western corner. This part of the property has a residential tenancy in place generating $520 per week.

Hill says the zoning on 258 Balmoral Rd provides for terraced housing and apartments. The zone is predominantly located around metropolitan, town and local centres and where there is a public transport network in place to support the highest levels of intensification.

"The purpose of the zone is to make efficient use of land and infrastructure, increase the capacity of housing and ensure that residents have convenient access to services, employment, education facilities, retail and entertainment opportunities, public open space and public transport," Hill says.

"The zone provides for the greatest density, height and scale of development of all the residential zones in the new unitary plan with buildings up to five to seven storeys permitted subject to obtaining the necessary council consents."

The smaller area of land at 18 Patterson St has a Residential - Mixed Housing Urban zoning. Houlker says this is also a reasonably high-intensity zone, allowing development typically up to three storeys in a variety of sizes and forms, including detached dwellings, terrace housing and low-rise apartments. Up to four dwellings are permitted as of right subject to compliance with design standards.

"Both zonings support increasing the capacity and choice of housing as well as promoting walkable neighbourhoods and fostering a sense of community," says Houlker.