Former Starbucks space for lease

The SkyWorld complex is in the heart of Auckland's entertainment hub. Photo / Supplied

A high-profile premises for lease at 291 Queen St, Auckland, was previously occupied by Starbucks' flagship New Zealand branch.

The global coffee retailer used the ground-level space - at the corner of Queen St and Aotea Square - until it vacated late last year.

Now the 232.62sq m space is being marketed for lease by sole agency Bayleys Auckland, with leasing specialists Sarah Boles and Nelson Patchett running the campaign.

Boles says the property consisted of 183sq m indoor and 48sq m of exclusive outdoor seating.

Branded food and beverage chains - including licensed bar operators - have been eyeing the vacant site, which overlooks Queen St and which is directly adjacent to the entrance of the SkyWorld entertainment centre.

"The SkyWorld complex is in the heart of Auckland's entertainment hub, within 150m of The Civic, The Auckland Town Hall, The Aotea Centre, Q Theatre, the Auckland Art Gallery the Classic Comedy Club and the planned new outdoor performance venue adjacent to the Aotea Centre," says Boles.

Last year SkyWorld recorded four million visitors, she says.

Within the seven-level hub are a wide variety of complementary entertainment options. The complex also has a food court with 10 individual outlets. Burger operators Carl's Jr and BurgerFuel are immediately adjacent to the front of the entrance to SkyWorld.

Patchett says the property is at the gateway to all these attractions, "so it benefits from being the first visual point of contact for patrons entering the premises from Queen St".

A consent if being sought from Auckland Council for the installation of a massive LED screen on the side of the building directly above the space offered for lease. The screens will replicate those in New York's Times Square or London's Leicester Square and will be a first for New Zealand.

Patchett says the intention is to use the screens as advertising platforms for generic consumer brands, to promote the SkyWorld tenancies, "and to screen major sporting events such as All Black matches, Superbowl, and NBA play-off games, for example."

He says the site available for lease consists of a circular "cathedral-like" hub accessed from three points: Queen Street, Aotea Square and internally from within the SkyWorld Centre.

"The substantial foot traffic coming both into and past the SkyWorld property delivers the potential for vast co-branding food and beverage brands and products within the location through the usage of branded collateral such as table umbrellas and banners," Patchett says.

"It's the type of location brewery labels are constantly seeking to support their brand presence - with the likes of Lion, DB and now up and coming Waikato hospitality operators Good George all vying for consumers' eyes - and wallets.

"The internal architecture of the property lends itself to some visionary decor styling or space use."