Caltex centre a hive of activity

The Caltex service station and retail outlets at Wellsford are a handy stopping point for a heavy volume of traffic.

The Caltex service station and retail outlets at Wellsford are a handy stopping point for a heavy volume of traffic.

A Caltex service station and retail property that is 100 per cent leased to five different tenants on Wellsford's highest profile corner north of Auckland is up for sale.

"This site has excellent exposure to heavy levels of traffic," says Nick Hargreaves, managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle who, with colleague John Binning, is marketing it for sale by expressions of interest closing on December 13.

"Situated at 95 to 97 Rodney St, it is on the intersection of State Highway 1 and State Highway 16."

The property has a built area of 540sq m on a site of 3352sq m and comprises the Caltex service station, a three-retail outlet food court and an arcade.

Alongside the 12-pump service station with a small retail area and kiosk, there is a McDonald's and Long John Silver's Jesters Pies.

A Noodle Canteen will open next year.

The property also has a gaming area and public amenities to the rear of the building. Parking is available on site as well as on the roadside.

All tenancies produce in excess of $390,000 a year with about 73 per cent of the income from Caltex and McDonald's.

"Wellsford is actually the northernmost major settlement in the Auckland region with the city only an hour away," Hargreaves says. "All direct road traffic heading north from Auckland or south from Whangerei passes through the town, making it a major regional centre.

"During 2012 the Transport Agency reported that the average daily number of vehicles passing through Wellsford was 8863. Given its selection of services and amenities, the Caltex Wellsford site is a very popular service stop for people leaving for or returning from holidays in Northland."

Binning says the Transport Agency and local bodies anticipate an increase in population of 100,000 over the next 25 years which will undoubtedly have a positive commercial impact on the area.

"If the predicted population growth eventuates there will be an inevitable increase of vehicle numbers," he says.

"There are plans to improve infrastructure via an extension to the existing Northern Gateway toll road which is due to begin next year.

"These improvements will bring greater economic development opportunities as well as provide overall better connection for freight, tourism and motorists across the region, particularly Wellsford.

"In view of this, the property represents an excellent investment opportunity for future returns."