Whenuapai town centre development consented

A substantial town centre development site in Auckland's fast-growing Whenuapai is for sale with consented plans in place for a multi-unit commercial development.

Colliers International site sales brokers Josh Coburn and Sean Finnegan are marketing the 8793sq m freehold site at 44-48 Brigham Creek Rd, Whenuapai, for sale by deadline private treaty. Offers close at 4pm on Thursday July 12, unless sold earlier.

Coburn sees an outstanding opportunity to develop a town centre node in the middle of thriving Whenuapai.

"Auckland's Northwest is the fastest-growing region in New Zealand, and Whenuapai is at the heart of this growth," he says.

"Located on a major western arterial route, this prime development opportunity is well-positioned to service a substantial residential catchment. The site has been urban designed to anchor the surrounding 1000 residential lots, with Business Local Centre zoning allowing for medium-density development. The vendor has obtained resource consent for a comprehensive integrated town centre development including a medical centre, small supermarket, offices, and hospitality and retail units. With its growth location, prominent position and abundant development potential, this property really does tick all the boxes."

Coburn says the land offers huge exposure to Whenuapai's main arterial route.

"It has extensive road frontage to the high-profile corner of Totara and Brigham Creek Roads. The latter is the main route in and out of Whenuapai, linking the Northwestern Motorway to the west with the Upper Harbour Motorway and Hobsonville to the east. The site is also superbly positioned within the immediate locality of substantial residential development. It is surrounded by about 1000 residential lots under construction from a mix of group home builders."

Finnegan says the site is readily developable, with a flat contour and services to the boundary.

"The vendor's consented development plan comprises five buildings to be built over two stages, allowing for flexible development as demand ramps up."

The first stage will include a two-storey building with a total gross floor area of 1240sq m and a single-level building with an area of 320sq m.

"The larger building's ground floor would comprise a 380sq m medical centre, a 150sq m retail tenancy, and 90sq m of common space. The common space would connect the ground floor tenancies and provide access to the first floor, which would offer 620sq m of office. The smaller building would comprise a bistro-style bar with a 120sq m outdoor dining area to the north."

Finnegan says second stage plans call for a single-storey supermarket and retail building, and a pair of two-storey retail and office buildings.

"The 680sq m supermarket building would sit at the southeastern end of the site, on the corner of Brigham Creek and Nils Andersen Roads. The plans envisage a 400sq m supermarket on the corner, a 180sq m retail unit to the west, and an internal service and loading area of 100sq m. The remaining pair of buildings would be separated by laneway, with road frontage to the south and the shared car park to the north. The ground floors would comprise 400sq m of combined retail and office space, divided into four tenancies of 100sq m each. The upper floors would be similarly configured, with access via stairs within the laneway."

Coburn says the zoning provides convenience needs of surrounding residential areas. Permitted uses can include local retail, commercial services, offices, food and beverage, and appropriately scaled supermarkets. Whenuapai is a liveable, compact and accessible area about 25km from Auckland's CBD.

"Traditionally a rural village on the outskirts of Auckland, Whenuapai is one of the Northwest's fastest growing areas. The Whenuapai Structure Plan sets out the framework to transform the area into an urbanised community with 5000 new homes, extensive employment precincts and a new town centre.

"Development in the area is already well underway. Oyster Capital has developed more than 1000 lots and on-sold them to group home builders including Fletcher Living, which is undertaking a 650-home development at the corner of Brigham Creek and Totara Roads. Residents started occupying these homes mid-last year."

Coburn says Whenuapai has excellent accessibility to both north and south.

"It is strategically located next to State Highway 16, which connects Whenuapai to Kumeu-Huapai and Northwest Auckland, and SH18, which connects to Albany, the North Shore and SH1."

Auckland's Northwest has long been considered an ideal location for the city's growth. The northwest will offer lifestyle, recreation, housing and transport connections to more than 20,000 residents and 10,000 employees by 2040."