As with other camp buildings, the chapel has concrete block walls and concrete foundations. Photo / Supplied
The proposed sale of a large Anglican church camp heralds an opportunity to acquire a large development site a short walk from Waihi Beach.
The Anglican Church's Waikato Diocesan Trust Board has appointed Colliers International to sell its 1.1ha Waihi Beach Camp, "Te Rau Aroha", at 48-66 Seaforth Rd.
The sale will be by deadline private treaty closing at 4pm on May 3, unless sold earlier.
Colliers Tauranga agent Grant White sees an opportunity to acquire a large block of developable residential land in a sought-after Waihi Beach location.
"Options include utilising the existing buildings, subdividing the land or comprehensively redeveloping the entire site," he points out.
"With large parklike grounds and numerous mature trees, the property would be particularly well suited to a high-end holiday home or residential development. There's excellent proximity to the ocean beach — 180m away via a walkway at the southern end of the site — plus to the main shopping strip on Wilson Road, 700m to the south."
White says the property comprises 12 lots on three freehold titles with net lettable area of about 1661sq m, including verandas and balconies. Improvements include a chapel, dining hall and commercial kitchen, 76-bed dormitory, recreation hall, garage, chalet, eight-bedroom lodge, four-bedroom dwelling, and a pair of two-bedroom flats. All up this provides a total building area of about 1,660 sqm, including verandas and balconies.
He says the simplest subdivision would involve retaining the existing buildings on eight lots. The remaining four lots could be developed or sold as bare land.
"This option makes use of the existing lots and titles, resulting in lower council and subdivision costs. It also retains the value of the existing buildings by allowing the dwellings to be sold as houses or holiday homes, while the dormitory could be sold or leased as an accommodation offering for backpackers."
White says the more intensive subdivision option involves the removal of all existing buildings on the site. This would allow for the creation of up to 26 new lots of about 435sq m each. These lots would be affordably priced compared with existing properties in the area. The developer would have to provide services to each of the new lots and invest more in council and subdivision fees.
"However, the affordable price point would make the lots very saleable in the current market."
Colliers agent Simon Clark describes a superb location on the main route running south from Waihi Beach.
"Seaforth Rd connects the Island View area with Bowentown, as well as linking up with Athenree, Katikati and Tauranga to the southwest. Surrounding properties range from modest beach houses through to high-quality residences," he says.
Clark says Waihi Beach's 9km stretch of golden sand is considered among New Zealand's safest surf beaches.
"Waihi Beach is home to a friendly beachside community and is also a popular holiday home destination, thanks to its closeness to Auckland, Tauranga and Waikato. Some two million people live within a comfortable two hours' drive of the community."
Clark adds that the area offers numerous walking and cycle tracks.
"Waihi Beach is also a popular destination for outdoor adventures, surfing, relaxation and weddings. A good range of cafes, restaurants and boutique shops add to Waihi Beach's seaside resort charm."
Buildings, which range in age and size, are:
• The dormitory, recreation hall, chapel, and kitchen and dining hall are all primarily constructed of concrete block walls on concrete foundations.
• The manager's residence and flats are primarily constructed of timber joinery with brick exterior walls, while the lodge and chalet have a mix of aluminium and wooden joinery with plywood cladding. The residence, built in about 2000, has about 145sq m of living space, including four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small open plan living area, double garage and outdoor deck.
• Built in the 1970s, the approximately 370sq m dormitory and 200sq m dining hall can be sold or leased together as an accommodation offering.
• The recreation hall, which dates to the 1960s, has a lettable area of about 190sq m. It is positioned at the centre of the property on a road front lot.
• Built in 1993, the chapel of about 96sq m occupies the northernmost road front site. It features an attractive interior with exposed timber joinery and extensive timber lining.
• The two-bedroom flats, built in the 1960s, are about 63sq m each. They both offer a lounge, kitchen and bathroom.
• The roughly 170sq m lodge was relocated onto the site in 2009. It has eight bedrooms, four bathrooms and a large, modern kitchen.
• The newest building is a two-storey chalet dwelling of about 70sq m. This has an open-plan living area with a kitchenette, double bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, bathroom, toilet and shower.
White says the new owner has the opportunity to unlock significant value, regardless of which subdivision option they pursue.
"Here is an ideal opportunity to reposition or redevelop a rare large landholding in a sought-after Waihi Beach location."