Prime town centre site in 'teenage' Gulf Harbour

Plans for developing 20 retail outlets on corner development site in Marine Village community.

A strategically located triangular corner site at the entrance to the heart of the Gulf Harbour retail and hospitality hub on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, has been placed on the market through a mortgagee sale process.

The three-lot bare land site comprises about 1.5 hectares at the headland of the canal around which Gulf Harbour's main retail and residential blocks are located.

It has three street frontages, bordered by Harbour Village Drive, Gulf Harbour Drive and Laurie Southwick Parade, and is the largest single piece of flat development land in the town centre precinct, which is governed by its own specific zoning policy.

In 2010 the Environment Court granted consent for intensive development on the 7059 sq m of space - including apartments, offices, food and beverage outlet, library and supermarket. The consent can be taken up over the next six years and limits building height to a maximum of 12 metres.

The property block is being marketed for mortgagee sale by Bayleys through Michael Pleciak and Ian Inglis, with tenders closing on July 26. Pleciak says the three titles are being sold as one block or separate titles and have a 2011 combined capital valuation of $4 million.

"Gulf Harbour is a long-term residential and lifestyle subdivision development which could be best described as currently being in its 'teenage years'," Pleciak says.

"The opening of Wentworth primary and high schools several years ago, along with members securing the future of Gulf Harbour Golf Course, have both gone some way to maturing the wider peninsula.

"Over time, the surrounding residential developments throughout Gulf Harbour will continue to fill in, and will underpin commercial activity within the basin area."

Pleciak says part of the three titles is already sealed, with parking for approximately 102 cars using either an existing boutique lodge-style hotel or for customers visiting the neighbouring food and beverage outlets.

"The population of Gulf Harbour is growing as bare land sites are converted to residential dwellings. With the planned Penlink roading trunk identified as a Government infrastructure project - making Auckland more accessible for commuters - town planners are forecasting growth at Gulf Harbour to continue at a steady pace."

Pleciak says some Gulf Harbour residents would prefer to see the triangular corner site remain in its current "open park" state but the land's value remained in what could be done on the location.

"One of the discretionary activities permitted for the site is the expansion of accommodation facilities. The Environment Court consent allows for the potential creation of an additional 191 accommodation units," Pleciak says.

"During the last Rugby World Cup, the Japanese and South African rugby teams stayed in the lodge at Gulf Harbour. It is also a popular weekend retreat for Aucklanders wanting to get out of the city."

Plans exist for the development of about 20 retail outlets on the corner location, with a mid-sized supermarket on out the ground level adjacent to existing car parking facilities. Pleciak says the plans could be made available to any potential buyer.

"The Marine Village Town Centre Policy zoning directs that activity should be appropriate to the commercial, social and cultural needs of the Gulf Harbour community retail and marine environment to ensure the aesthetics of development are in harmony with the waterfront position.

"The development proposal approved by the Environment Court identified such commercial activities as a creche, doctor's surgery, pharmacy, gymnasium, shops, offices, and more car parking.

"Landscaping concepts feature the installation of street furniture such as seating and planter boxes, pedestrian lighting, a water feature, pergola, and substantial planting of trees, shrubs and climbers."